Page 139 of Dmitri

Daelyn’s expression falls.

“I’ll have a car pick you up tomorrow.”

“What? Why?”

“I want you both out of town before shit hits the fan with Kaleb, Firefly.”

“No.” She steps forward like she can stop me. “This ismyfight, Dmitri.”

“No, it’s not.” It never was. I bend down and kiss her gently. “It’s always been mine. And I’ll do better if I know you and Addie are safe and untouchable.”

“Dmitri.”

“This isn’t up for negotiation.” I step outside, my palms sweating. “I can handle Kaleb, but I need you to make sure you and Addie are safe so I can stay focused.”

It kills me that I’m basically manipulating Daelyn by using Addie as a reason for her to stay away. But I mean it. I’ll fight stronger if I’m not worried about them getting hurt, too.

“Give me this.Please, Firefly.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “We’ll discuss it later.”

She’s not going to back down. Not that I thought she would. After kissing me fiercely one more time, Daelyn shuts the door between us.

“Lock it!” I holler, relieved when the bolt clicks into place.

Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I head down the street to where I’d parked my bike in the alleyway like usual.

Kaleb stands by my Ducati, dressed in black jeans and a hoodie, with a gun in his hand. “It’s about fucking time,” he says, his gaze shifting to make sure we’re alone.

“Yeah, Daelyn wouldn’t let me leave any sooner.” I stop right in front of him, and his expression hardens.

“Keep her name out of your fucking mouth.”

“Oh, I’ve had more than her name in my mouth.” I flash him a smile. “You know, she makes the best noises when she comes. And the way her pussy clenches my—"

He raises the gun and aims it at my forehead.

Footsteps close in from behind me, and I smile internally knowing everything I’ve planned is turning out perfectly so far.

Let the final game begin.

Chapter 39

Daelyn

By midnight, my stomach’s a twisted mess and I’m panicking.

Daelyn: Call me.

Addie’s asleep in her room. She crashed an hour ago, saying she was so happy to be back in her own bed.

Pacing my bedroom, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. My nerves are shot. I’ve just outed not only myself, but my family—because that’s what Kaleb and the rest of his crew are to me, whether they’re good or not.

And I gave them up to save the one I love most, and someone I barely know.

Staring at my cell, I’m positively seething because I’ve been left on delivered, just like the five other times I’ve texted this evening.

Daelyn: I’m scared.

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