“And you better make her sing like a fucking canary with any other information that can help us,” my brother growls. “Don’t make me send Dragon to do the job for you.”
Dragon grins like the Cheshire cat.
His dick is probably hard as fuck imagining how he’ll cut out all her organs one by one. Fuck that. She knows what a psychopath Dragon is, which means she’ll give me whatever I want and I won’t have to touch a hair on her pretty head.
“Everything I’ve come up with so far is in our shared folder,” I tell Koyn on my way out. “We’ll get these fuckers.”
All three of them grunt in agreement.
If there’s anything I’ve learned since my brother became prez over this area chapter, it’s that you don’t fuck with the Royal Bastards.
Stormy
Boredom is going to kill me.
I’ve searched the house from top to bottom to no avail. Copper keeps his office locked tight, but other than that, I’ve had free rein. He was even kind enough to let the dogs out this morning when he left for work. I caught glimpses of them playing like puppies in the quickly melting snow. It would have been cute if they weren’t so terrifying.
Being around Hansel and Gretel makes me think about Calla and Cove, my twin siblings who are in college now. I haven’t seen them or spoken to them since I joined the Royal Bastards undercover. It was too risky. Now, I’ve probably jeopardized them even more by blowing my cover. Copper may be easy to get along with, but Koyn is a fucking tool. And smart as hell. He’ll have my entire life stripped apart before I know it.
I need to get the hell out of here.
If I can get to Fayetteville where the twins attend the University of Arkansas, maybe I can convince them to take off with me. We can go into hiding together. I’ll take care of them like I always did growing up. They’ll be safe. I can keep them safe if I can just get to them.
The dogs bark at something outside, making the hairs on my neck prickle. It’s because of them I haven’t just waltzed out the front door. Copper makes it seem as though they’re harmless, but I’ve seen what vicious dogs can do when in multiples. Hanseland Gretel have sharp teeth and are solid muscle. Between the two of them, they could take me down and kill me like those dogs killed Mom.
A tremble of fear ripples down my spine. I try to ignore it, but my hands won’t stop shaking. If I have any hope of getting out of here, I need to put my big girl panties on and just leave.
I suck in a deep, calming breath.
I have to do this.
Just like all those years ago, I snatched the twins up and got them to safety so those dogs didn’t kill them too. And, like then, their safety is what prevails over my fear.
I have to protect my siblings.
Quickly, I assess my outfit in the mirror. I threw on my warmest outfit—black skinny jeans, black riding boots, and an OU hoodie I stole from Bermuda’s closet once while putting away his laundry. It still smells like him, which makes me tear up.
He’s a bad guy like the rest of them.
Try telling my heart that.
Bermuda, of all the guys, really was like a brother to me. He reminded me of Cove in so many ways. Wore his heart on his sleeve but loved intensely. I know Bermuda loved me right back. It sickens me knowing he hates me now.
I swipe at the stupid tears forming and grab my bag. It’s bulky and I wish it were a backpack instead, but I can’t worry about that now. I need my stuff and I need to get the hell out of here now. After pulling the hood over my head, I make my way to the front door, peeking out the side window.
It’s eerily quiet.
The dogs are off somewhere rather than horsing around in the front yard.
It’s now or never.
Slowly, I creak open the door. The alarm panel on the door doesn’t beep because it’s been shut off. I already tried to access the police earlier, but Copper had been two steps ahead of me, deactivating the alarm completely. Slowly, I creep out the front door and onto the porch. The afternoon sun has melted most of the snow. It’s muddy as hell and I cringe knowing I’m going to ruin my boots.
Focus, girl.
I take ginger steps down the slick steps on the front porch, craning my head to listen for any threatening sounds. When I hear nothing, I sweep my gaze over the yard, trying to make sense of which direction I should go. The lake wraps around two sides of his property. It leaves the long driveway or the woods. Since I have no idea when Copper will return, I decide to take my chances in the woods.
Despite the sun being out and the snow melting, my body temperature drops quickly since I’m underdressed. I couldn’t find a jacket or a coat. The one I’d worn the night before was missing and Copper’s bedroom was also locked, so I couldn’t steal one of his. Bermuda’s hoodie is the only thing keeping me warm.