Page 33 of Traitor

She leans in, her voice a whisper against my lips.

"Because you always make my bones shiver in the most delicious way."

I growl, flipping her onto her back, pinning her beneath me.

Her laughter turns into gasps.

And I make damn sure to prove her fucking right.

I exhale slowly, the memory fading like smoke, leaving only the bitter taste of whiskey and regret.

Ely had that look in her eyes that night.

Like she trusted me.

Like I was the one thing in her life that was real.

And I fucking believed it.

Now?

Now she's branded a traitor.

Now it’s all fucking over.

And my real name?

She was the last person I'll ever tell it to.

Because I'll never trust like that again.

I reach for my phone, thumb hovering over the number. I hesitate. I fucking hesitate.

The Riders will pay for this. I’ll find every deal they have and raze them all to the ground. Leave them penniless, scrambling to stay afloat. I went easy on them before. I had bigger fish to fry. But now? They sealed their fate.

Tonight, I’ll let them have one of their spies back. Let them think that’s where it ends. And then I’ll strike when they least expect it.

5. Devil

Ely

The morning air is thick.

It wraps around me like a noose as I'm shoved toward the van. My body screams in pain, every step a reminder that I'm already broken, already ruined.

But nothing hurts as much as him.

Bones.

He stands at the edge of the clubhouse steps, his expression cold, unreadable, his hands tucked into the pockets of his cut like he couldn't care less.

Like I was never in his bed.

Like he never kissed me breathless.

Like I never fucking mattered.

Joker and Tank don't look at me. No one does.

---