Page 133 of Villainous Fate

No.

That’s not possible.

“Don’t you dare lie to me. I never got any letters and would have been informed if she came to see me,” I answer, rage building as he attempts to make me the bad guy. “I respected her choice and left her alone, but had she even hinted that she needed me, I would have been here instantly. Unlike you, who sat and watched her die without doing a fucking thing to stop it!” I shout and launch myself at him, swinging my fist into his perfectly chiseled jaw with a crack.

His eyes fly back to mine, fire in them as they shift to his wolf’s. He charges back, fist flying right into my cheek as I attempt to block him. I fail and feel the full impact rock me backward to the floor.

Fucking whiskey.

My movements are slow and labored, but my anger fuels a hatred I have built up brick by brick since he took everything away from me. I roll left, kicking out my foot to sweep him to the floor. His back lands with a thud, knocking the wind out of him as I shift up to drop my elbow into his ribs with an audible crunch.

Fuck you.

His gasp is music to my ears, and I raise myself to my knees to land a punch to his left eye before receiving one directly to my face.

Ouch.

Pain explodes behind my eyes as I feel my nose break under his fist. My eyes water with the impact, making it hard to see his movements, and blood drips down my face.

“You still hit like a bitch,” I say, smiling as the taste of my blood leaks into my mouth. I hear more than see his effort to swing another shot, and I scramble back, forcing him to miss before my arms wrap around him, locking him into place in a chokehold.

He squirms against me, attempting to break free, struggling to breathe as I whisper into his ear.

“I should have let you die on that cliffside.”

The words are barely out of my mouth when I hear the scream.

“Daddy!”

My eyes flash to the door where his kid stands; fresh tears form in his eyes. My heart squeezes, guilt flying through me as I see Grace’s son watching his dad die hours after his mother.

My grip loosens, and I barely hear the gasps of air Marcus pulls in as he regains his ability to breathe. I stand, step away from him, and wipe the blood from my face, never taking my eyes off the terrified boy’s face.

As soon as there is space between us, he sprints to his dad, who wraps him in his arms, shielding him from me as I walk to the door.

“Deacon,” Marcus says, his voice hoarse from the fight. “We’re done. Don’t come back here.”

The small boy clings to his father's leg, hatred now visible on his face as I take one last glance over my shoulder.

“The next time I set foot in Vegas, it will be to take your pack. Be ready,” I finish and walk out, down the hallway, and straight to my car.

Chapter 66

Deacon

Bassvibratesinmychest as the loud music assaults my ears. The smell of sweat and cheap perfume floats through my nose, changing the taste of the watered-down liquor. A strip club wasn’t my first choice, but it was the closest place that was open at this time of day that served alcohol. A faint cloud of smoke wafts in the air as I down my seventh? No eighth drink of the afternoon, and I was starting to feel the room sway from my barstool.

“Another,” I shout, slamming the empty glass onto the bar as the dancer on stage finishes her routine and begins collecting her dollar bills.

“Damn. She must have been one hell of a woman,” A raspy female voice beside me says.

“Not interested,” I say, not bothering to look her way.

“In what exactly? Unsolicited advice? I mean, I don’t blame you. A man like you comes into a place like this, you’re either running from something serious or trying to forget a woman, so which is it, Darlin?”

The southern drawl that comes out when she speaks catches my ear. It’s fake. Nothing like Grace's sweet lilt, and my jaw clicks in irritation.

“Look,” I start, finally turning in her direction and freezing. Her face holds a skeptical expression as I take her in. Pale skin, freckles splashed across her face, large hazel eyes, and auburn brown hair tied in pigtails.

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