Page 161 of Ink Deep Devotion

“It sounds like you have been taking a lesson from Dante’s handbook. Since when did you become the philosopher of the group?”

He blinks slowly. Everything Leo does is with lazy hesitation, as if breathing is fatiguing sometimes. It’s all an act. He’s not lazy; he’s a mountain slumbering, hiding a deep volcano within. His words are tremors, warnings that something terrible is coming.

“That’s why we need you by our side.”

“I have one priority, and that’s finding my wife.”

“What about keeping your wife alive? That’s your greatest fear, isn’t it, brother? Now more than ever.” Leo grabs my shoulder, fingers digging deep, as my breath comes in shorter pants,“You are your own worst enemy, Dash King. Let us help you.” My eyes slide to the hand, grabbing me, trying to save me. I want to cut it off. I want to replace it with Mila’s hand.

“The only way you will find Mila is if you accept The Rites of Passage.” Leo levels his stare into mine, trying to hold me captive.

“Join us.”

“I never broke free from the Brotherhood, but it seems you have.”

“No, we’re all together, watching each other’s backs. It was you who ran.”

“To find my wife!”

Leo crosses his wide arms.“Avery.”

My vision starts to tunnel.“What did you say?”

“That is the name Blaze gave you. I already know who she is.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me!” I grab Leo’s hand, tearing it off of me and holding it in a way that one simple twist would snap his wrist. He watches as I become nothing more than the heavy exhales of the monster inside of me.

“I did, but you were MIA. Now, do you want my help or not?” He flexes his hand, testing my strength.

I release him, but his hand remains frozen in the air, close enough to grab my neck if he was fool enough to try.“So you’re blackmailing me now? Join this club or die.” I spit.

“No. I want you to join on your own free will. And I’d help you regardless, because you’re my brother, asshole.”

Anders holds up the phone.“Blaze is making a call.”

“You tapped his phone.”

“No,” Leo grins,“We hacked the air.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

He slaps my back.“It means the technology The Rites of Passage have at their disposal is about to blow your fucking mind.”

Anders hands the phone to Leo and then puts a tactical comm to his ear. I scan the surroundings. He’s got a team on me.

“The team isn’t watching you, Dash,” Anders admits.“It’s been watching Blaze and his brother.”

Leo turns the volume up and holds the phone between us.“Yeah. He came.” Blaze speaks with a tone of panic and fatigue.

The next voice is filled with static, but I can hear every word.“Did you give him the name?” It’s a feminine voice, but not demure. It’s wreaking with confidence and an accent.

“Who is Blaze talking to?” I ask Leo.

“That’s what I want to find out.” He looks to Anders.“Tell the team to wait for your signal before you grab him.”

Anders dips his chin as he turns and merges with the shadows as he walks back toward Blaze’s location. The last thing I see before he completely disappears is the moonlight glinting off the ax now swinging in his hand.

“Yes!” Blaze grunts.“My debt is paid. I owe you nothing.”

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