Page 46 of Branches of Betrayal

Retribution.

Vengeance for her sister. For herself.

Yet, anxious thoughts still tugged at her. What if they couldn’t kill her? She’d been an aloof presence all this time; what was different now?

"You are.”

Hadina’s voice broke through Peyton’s cycle of perturbed thoughts. She hadn’t realized that she’d been talking aloud. Even Zellie was looking at her, as though she was trying to give her extra confidence through her gaze alone.

“We’ve never tried to take her out before. But what’s different now is that we have you,tentadora. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for, and your mind is an invaluable weapon to Adis & Co.”

“She’s right,” Zellie replied. “Besides, this is the first time in a long time that we are all together. Fighting together. Watching each other’s backs. This is one bitch ass woman against the elite Adis family. And that includes you, Peyton.”

“You’re an Adis now.”

Chapter 25

Hadina

Nerves wracked Hadina,making her uncomfortable and almost overwhelmed by the feeling. She was used to high stakes, murder, and the violent tendencies that came with her job—but she wasn’t used to the need for revenge for someone she loved. Her love for Peyton was something unlike she’d ever felt, and the vengeance she craved on her behalf was a roaring storm inside her.

There was something about Peyton’s gentleness that had slowly seeped into Hadina, stealing her heart in the process. Simple things she did to show affection made Hadina want to melt on the spot. She thought about the night she’d taken Peyton out a cruise, showing her some of the back streets of San Antonio. Hadina had always been partial to fast cars and loved the feeling of being thrown back against the seat, changing gears, and hitting the gas as hard as she could.

While she was driving, Hadina had a tendency to keep her hand on the shifter. It was a small thing that Peyton had apparently picked up on because she placed her palm atopHadina’s, entwining their fingers. Switching gears together, squealing whenever Hadina hit the gas a little harder.

Hadina loved that sound; Peyton screaming in delight at something so innocent. Her squeals turned into excited giggles when Hadina had punched the clutch, putting the car in a rolling burnout before they shot off into the night, down the empty streets. Hadina had caressed her thumb as she drove, thanking God for being blessed enough to have been given Peyton.

Now, her nerves built as her body twitched anxiously. She had let Peyton into her heart completely and now the very idea of losing her made her more nauseous than she thought possible.

Peyton, however, didn’t seem nervous at all. Hadina knew she was deep down, but her exterior presented no signs of worry. She just appeared tense, rigid, like she couldn't wait for it all to be over.

Hadina could understand that.

“Is it time yet?”

“Almost.”

They were waiting in Hadina’s Cadillac, lights off and weapons at the ready. Harris was scoping out the building, knowing that Demi Treyva liked to play dirty. But Hadina was almost sure that the woman was out of tricks to play. This would be their last showdown, the final time they’d ever have to see each other.

One of them wouldn’t be walking away, and Hadina knew it wouldn’t be her.

Demi Treyva’s rule of terror had come to an end. Hadina planned to make it as bloody and brutal as possible.

Hadina’s phone vibrated and she saw a text from Harris come through.

Harris: All good, boss. She’s alone.

Hadina: Roll in. On our way.

“Ready?”

Peyton looked at her, nodding. “Let’s finish this.”

Hadina leaned over, grabbing Peyton’s face and bringing their lips together in a rushed, heated kiss. “No matter what happens, know that I love you immeasurably.”

“And I love you, Hadina.”

They got out of the car and made their way inside the building. In one hand, Hadina had her gun in a tight grip, finger pressed to the edge for easy access to the trigger. In the other hand, she was gripping a dagger. She didn’t know which method of torture she’d prefer in the moment. Peyton was gripping her favored dagger in her hand, looking deadly and ready for action. If it wasn’t such a high stake moment for them, Hadina would have considered pulling her woman off somewhere and making good use of both knives.

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