Page 43 of Filthiest Of Them All

“She was your world.” I work my jaw side to side as I clench my fists at my sides.

“I told you what my breaking point is, don’t fucking push me, Miss Lawson,” I caution her.

She scoffs. “You’ve made yourself at home between my legs, Alex, drop the wholeMiss Lawsonbullshit, would ya?” I narrow my eyes but remain silent. “You’ve based your life on revenge. Why?”

“That's all I have left.”

“That’s horse shit and you know it,” she snaps.

“How the fuck would you know? You think you know me because we fucked a couple of times?” I force a laugh as she flinches at my crass words. “You know nothing. You were never supposed to know who the fuck we are!” I shout as I storm across the room to grab some pants. If we’re going to have this argument, then I at least need fucking pants.

“And who’s fucking fault is that?” she shrieks as I pull some sweats on, then face her. She stands there glaring at me with her tiny hands clenched at her sides. “I never asked for any of this. I have a job that I love. Friends and people I watch out for and then you come along and ruin it all.”

I purse my lips and nod, keeping my face blank of all emotions. “There’s the door, Miss Lawson. Use it any time you like, just don’t expect me or my brothers to come save your ass when Desire comes for your head.”

“Fuck you and your cunt of an ex.”

“Watch your vulgar ass mouth, Tatum,” I seethe.

She rolls her eyes which has my hand twitching to strangle her perfect little neck. “What are you going to do, Alex? Kill me?” She snorts, then tosses the photo on the bed. I drop my gaze to the image and a pang of guilt hits me right in the chest at the sight of Ellie smiling at me like I hung the fucking moon. “Did she know who you really are?”

I flick my eyes to her and growl. “Watch it.”

“Screw you. I’ve done nothing to you or any of those guys in that house,” she screams as she throws her arms in the air. “Much like your Ellie.” I take a step forward in warning but she doesn’t stop. “I never got a say in who I share blood with. I never asked for the father and brother I wound up with. I’m not them, Alexander.”

“But you are!” I yell. “You are a weakness for him. He proved that by coming to you tonight and trying to get you to leave with him.”

Her face slackens as she stares at me, her brows drawing in and forming a deep V. “You used me.” Hurt laces her tone.

“I warned you, Miss Lawson.” My tone is cold and holds a harsh edge. I stalk toward her and don’t stop until there is a sliver of space between us, forcing her to crane her neck back to hold my stare. “You don’t respond to my methods of interrogation, you can take a fuck load of hurt and still keep your mouth shut.” I reach out and cup her cheek, hating myself for what I’m about to do. “I told you I would force your walls down and I did. I’m inside you, Tate, mentally and sometimes physically. You let me in without knowing it and gave me your brother willingly.” Her eyes widen, pain blooms in the depths of them as she realizes what’s happened.

She smacks my hand away, then shoves me backward. I can see the hysteria rising inside her. “You son of a bitch!” she screams.

“I told you not to call my mother that,” I clap back earning another shove from her. Tears glisten in her eyes and I fight my need to comfort her, it’s strange to feel this way about someone. I’m the man you call to inflict pain and destroy your enemies, I’m not the guy who tries to take the pain away and comfort you when you’re sad.

“I hate you!” she says quietly as she drops her arms back to her sides. Her eyes fill with moisture and I grind my teeth when the first tear falls. “Congratulations, Alexander, you got what you wanted from me. You not only ruined my life, you took the only family I had from me. I guess we finally have something in common huh?”

“What?”

Her eyes harden, then she swipes away her tears with the backs of her hands. “We’ve both lost a sibling now.” My breath hitches. “My brother took yours from you and now you’ll take mine from me. When will the cycle fucking end,Butcher?” The way she says my name has me tensing, it’s filled with so much hatred and disgust. “You wear her name across your heart. I hope you find comfort in that because she is the only woman who will love you for the selfish son of a bitch that you are.”

“You think I’m selfish?” I hiss.

“I don’t think, Iknowyou are. You proved that when you kidnapped the sister of your enemy, lulled her into thinking you might actually care and she stupidly believed you because you are fucking good at what you do. You may destroy the bodies of your enemies but I will be the masterpiece of your work.”

“How so?” I ask in a deathly calm tone.

“Because you destroyed my mind, my heart and my body. Congratulations, Alex, you won your war and got your man at the cost of breaking me.” She turns on her heel and storms out of my house. I wait to hear the door slam but it never comes, instead she leaves the fucking thing wide open so I have no choice but to act as the doorman and close it.

“Fuck!” I roar as I tug on the strands of my hair.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Halo. He answers on the second ring. “Yeah?”

“She took off, get the guys to watch the surrounding fences in case she makes it that far.” I bark.

“Alex, it’s fucking cold out and she is wearing a dress that is made for a toddler and she’s bare foot.” The apprehension in his tone grates on my already frail nerves. I take a deep breath and try to tamper my anger.

“Find her.”

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