Page 22 of War

“That’s where you’re wrong.”Callan.My heart leaps.The Kings easily double the Devils.Bile burns my throat.This will be a blood bath.I don’t want that.

“State your business,” Bear commands.He’s the only one close enough to the gate to get injured straight away if shit turns bad.It doesn’t go unnoticed that Tyler’s not the one asking the questions.Inquisitive glances look our way.

“You have something of mine,” Callan announces, his words sharp, looking around Bear to me.The world stops.He dismounts his bike.Bear follows his line of sight and jerks his head back as if I slapped him.His name coats my lips but fade on a snivel when Carver digs his nails into my skin.

Tyler hisses, his hands shaking with fury.“You fucking him?”he growls under his breath, his eyes never leaving the King who came to claim me.

“No,” I choke out, tugging my arm free from Carver.

“There’s nothing here that belongs to you,” Tyler sneers.

Callan unsheathes his knife and runs it along the metal bars.

Clang.

Clang.

Clang.

Pointing the blade in Tyler’s direction, he says, “You either allow her to come to me or I’ll come to her.”His tone is dark, laced with a deadly threat.“Through all of you if I have to.”The warning heats the air.Hairs raise on my neck.Everyone shifts, postures becoming rigid.My mind spins.He once asked me if I was a Devil or a King, and now here we are, both clubs witness to my response.

“What the hell is he talking about?”someone asks Tyler.I recognize his voice but can’t take my eyes off the man gripping the bars of the gate.I’ve seen the damage he can do with that knife.

“Maybe this entire time you’ve had the right idea, Princess.We should have taken revenge for Harley,” Tyler grits out.His hand hovers at his hip, where he keeps his gun.I place a hand on top of his and jerk my head.Light, confused eyes bore into me.“Princess…?”

“You’re outgunned and outmanned,” I state, matter-of-fact.“And I don’t mean in numbers.”I wound without weapons.

“Traitor whore,” Carver jeers, leaning toward me.“We should kill her and give her to him in pieces.”

Bear turns his gaze to Carver, zeroing in on him.“Over my dead fucking body.”Shifting, he angles toward me.“Rogue?”

“She’s a Devil,” Tyler shouts.He’s deluded, refusing to accept what’s happening here.

“No, she fucking isn’t.She’s a queen—our queen.Let her leave.This is the last warning you’re going to get.”

“Let her decide,” Bear booms.“Rogue?”he says again.I hate that this is hurting him.I feel like I’m betraying him, but I have to follow my heart.

I don’t belong here.

Not anymore.

Not without my dad, my sister—not with the lies and the man who wields them.

I take a step from Tyler, and he jerks forward, grabbing my wrist.Muscles coiled, his fingers wrap around the small bone, squeezing.“Don’t do this, Princess.”His voice shakes, eyes pleading.

“You did this,” I say, yanking myself free and backing away.Keeping my eyes pinned on him until I reach Bear.

Bear cups my cheek.“Is this where you’ve been this whole time—with them?”I want to take him with me, get him away from the broken, twisted club that was once my home.

“It’s complicated.”I sniffle, moving backward.

Taking my elbow, he asks, “What about Harley?You said they killed her.”His hushed whisper hits me square in the chest.

“I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m going to find her murderer.If it is one of them, I’ll kill them,” I promise.

“Are you sure about this?”

Nodding, I place my hand on his, urging him to release me.When he does, I breathe in a breath and walk toward my future.

---