Page 91 of Forsaken Oath

I lock down my emotions, shoving them into the dusty corners of my soul. Then I look at Walker with all the pity I can muster—turns out, it’s a lot. He flinches, his brutal laughter ringing hollow now.

“I’m a fucking Carter, Walker. Don’t forget it. Or I won’t be so nice next time.”

“This ain’t Rosewood, son. The Carter name doesn’t hold as much weight in Avalon Falls as you think it does.”

I ignore the sting in my knuckles as I pin him with a cold stare. His words about the Carter name echo in my head, but I refuse to let him see how they rattle me. Instead, I let a humorless smirk tug at my lips.

“You know, for someone who claims to run a crew, you sure are dumb as hell. A name doesn’t make a man—you, of all people, should know that better than anyone.”

Levi sneers, wiping the blood from his split lip with the back of his hand. “You think I’m scared of you, pretty boy? You’re fucking wrong.”

I let out a short, harsh laugh. “I don’t give a fuck if you’re scared of me or not, Walker. But youshouldbe scared for your boy, Trent Wallis.”

Levi’s eyes narrow, his sneer faltering for a split second before he schools his features back into a mask of arrogance. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

I step closer, getting right in his face. “I’m talking about how your boy tried to run my girl off the road last night during the third Gauntlet race. And how I returned the favor and put him in a fucking ditch. Next time I see him, he’ll be lucky if he walks away, yeah?”

It’s maybe an exaggeration. I’m not committing to anything just yet. But if I find out Walker or Thomas had anything to do with Trent’s little stunt last night? I’ll make good on my threat.

Walker’s eyes flash with anger, but there’s something else there, too. Surprise, maybe. Or respect. He studies me for a long moment, jaw working as he chews on his words. But after a beat, he keeps them to himself.

I decide I’ve had my fill of Levi Walker for the day. Maybe for the rest of my life.

Taking a step back, I square my shoulders and pin him with a final, cold stare. “I don’t give a fuck what you do here, Walker. But Eloise Hawthorne is mine. Spread the word to your little crew: You fuck with her, you deal with me.”

I don’t wait for his response. I stride out of the dingy office, slamming the door behind me hard enough to rattle the glass. The anger still pulses through me, hot and demanding, urging me to turn back and finish what I started.

But I keep walking, my boots crunching on the gravel as I head back to my car.

I climb into the cab, gripping the steering wheel tight enough that my knuckles turn white. My heart pounds against my ribs, the fury storming inside me refusing to settle.

I’m not going to waste an opportunity to see my girl. And I sure as hell don’t want to bring all this baggage to her front door.

I’ve got five minutes to get my shit together before I see her.

Which is fine.

I only need four.

39

ELOISE

I’ve barely setmy bag down on the kitchen counter when a knock sounds on the front door, startling me. My heart skips a beat as I glance at the clock. It’s early still, the morning sun just starting to peek through the blinds. Margot and Vivie are both still asleep, the house quiet and still.

Frowning, I pad over to the door, my bare feet silent on the hardwood. I’m still in my clothes from last night, rumpled from the drive home. My hair is a tangled mess, and I’m sure I look like I’ve been fucked seven ways from Sunday.

Which would be true.

I’m sore in places I didn’t know I couldgetsore.

I peek through the peephole, my heart skittering in my chest when I see Beau standing on my front porch. He’s wearing a white t-shirt that stretches across his broad shoulders and a pair of worn jeans that hug his muscular thighs. His hair is tousled, like he hasn’t touched it since I ran my fingers through it all night.

In his hands, he holds a pink box that I instantly recognize as donuts.

My heart flutters in my chest as I unlock the door and pull it open. “Beau,” I breathe, a smile already tugging at my lips. “What are you doing here?”

“Would you believe me if I told you I was in the neighborhood?” He grins, that devastating dimple flashing.

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