Page 34 of Branches of Betrayal

“What?”

“I didn’t get an assignment,” Peyton whispered back. “I could be useful.”

Hadina shook her head and gave Peyton a look that said this wasn’t up for discussion. “You’re still healing. You don’t need to be out there right now. Trust me. Besides, you’ll need to save and compile all your strength for when we get our hands on Demi; you get the honors of annihilating that bitch.”

Peyton looked as though she wanted to argue but after glancing at the room around her, she conceded with the dip of her chin.

“Okay!” Hadina barked, clapping her hands together to get everyone’s attention. “Y’all have been given your orders. Everyone clear on what they need to do?”

A chorus of yes, boss echoed around the room before she dismissed everyone with a clap of her hands.

The anger in her veins that she tried so hard to dampen down was slowly coming to the surface. Every time they planned their next steps, Hadina was reminded of why they were doing this, how badly Demi had hurt Peyton, and it made her fury rise. She needed her team to act fast because she wouldn’t be able to keep it contained otherwise.

Hadina was ready to burn the world down around her, if only to make sure there was nobody left to hurt Peyton ever again.

“Take a breath, baby,” came a soft voice from her side. Just the sound of it made her body relax, the tension slowly seeping from her shoulders.

She felt Peyton’s arms slide around her waist, her face pressing gently against Hadina’s back. It was amazing, Hadina thought, just how much her body reacted to Peyton. Nobody had ever had that effect on her before, and she knew nobody else ever would.

Peyton washers, and she was Peyton’s. Their crazies called to each other, their hearts destined to entwine. Hadina didn’tbelieve in fate, but she knew that Peyton was a gift from a higher power.

She allowed herself to stand in Peyton’s embrace for a few moments until all the tension had left her. Everyone had left the room, off to start working on their assignments otherwise they’d have to face Hadina’s wrath. Which meant, thankfully, both of them were alone. Hadina spun around, leaning the back of her thighs against the table, and pulled Peyton into her.

“Better?” Peyton asked.

Hadina hummed, pressing her face into the crook of Peyton’s neck. She always smelt so sweet and Hadina forever wanted to be in her embrace.

“It’s always better when we’re together.”

Peyton leaned back, her blonde hair tickling Hadina’s cheek. “What do we do next?”

Groaning, Hadina pouted petulantly. “Mierda, I hate that these words are even going to come out of my mouth but…Zellie needs to help you train. She was right, in her own bitch way—I won’t be as tough on you because I love you. But we need you to be fully prepared for anything.”

“Then let’s do it. Plus,” Peyton said with a sly grin, “It’ll be extra fun for you when I’m a pro and you get to see me kick Zellie’s ass.”

Hadina barked out a laugh, grabbing Peyton’s waist to bring her into a kiss. She was beyond lucky to have found someone like Peyton, and she never wanted to take that for granted ever again.

Chapter 20

Peyton

It wasn’t likeshe hadn’t trained before. Hadina had been rigorous in initially showing her how to defend herself, and attack if needed. But, well, training with Zellie was a whole different thing.

“Keep your hands up unless you want me to ruin that pretty face,” Zellie scolded, motioning to Peyton to bring her arms up higher.

“I’m trying!” she yelled back, throwing a punch that Zellie dodged with ease.

“Barely,” Zellie muttered in a low, dull tone.

Peyton circled Zellie on the padded floor, eyes trained on the miniscule movements being made. She needed to figure out Zellie’s tell; Hadina told her thateveryonehad a tell, no matter how subtle, and that it was the key to winning a fight. But Zellie was a seasoned fighter and she kept her cards close to her chest.

Managing to get a few steps closer, Peyton hit out with a closed fist, wincing as it connected with Zellie’s shoulder when she moved out of the way.

“¡Patética!”

Zellie kicked out her foot, sweeping Peyton onto her back. She winced at the impact, anger sparking at her fingertips as Zellie looked down at her with a prideful smirk.

Using her anger to drive her, Peyton smirked, kicking her own legs out. She hit Zellie’s ankles hard, bringing the Adis women to the ground. Zellie cursed as she slammed onto her front, sticking her hands out to break her fall.

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