Page 47 of Cold Hard Truth

I don’t like this situation or what he’s asking of me. But as I did eight years ago when I thought I still wanted to be part of his crew, I follow him into the darkness to save people who have no business being dragged down by his sins.

And for her, I’ll do a hell of a lot worse.

“Yes,” I choke out through gritted teeth.

“Good.” Kane straightens up, stepping back. “I’ll let her know.”

He starts to walk away but pauses when he gets past me, looking over his shoulder. “I told the guys at the club they’ll lose any part of them that touches her. That applies to you too. Patched or not, keep your fucking hands off my daughter, Sage.”

He walks away, and I close my eyes, holding my breath.

It’s a little too late for that.

16

Lyla

Kane locked me uplike a captive. Like a traitor.

I guess it’s better than him trying to pretend he sees me as a daughter. He might be my father by blood. But that’s it.

The only title that has ever meant anything to Kane ispresident. A man can’t be a father and simultaneously be the leader of a club that rips all good things apart. It’s like Mom warned me and Ellie, the Twisted Kings aren’t capable of good—only death and pain.

I should have known I’d made a mistake the moment I stepped back into his territory. But Ellie deserves justice, so even if Kane found me, it doesn’t matter. I’m here for my sister. I’m going to get vengeance for what happened to her.

Now that Kane lured me back, I’ll finish what I started.

After leaving eight years ago, I checked in on occasion. I heard when the Twisted Kings took down Satan’sReapers and knew they assumed it was because they were responsible for kidnapping us. And even if my time in the basement taught me that they were involved, I knew they weren’t the only ones behind it.

Nick was clearly one of the men out for revenge. He and two of Satan’s Reapers frequented the basement in the week we were held captive. But someone else was pulling the strings, and they never showed their face. They could have been someone from Satan’s Reapers; they could have been a Twisted King. For all I know, they could have been someone off the street. And they disappeared into thin air with the fallout.

It wasn’t over.

Someone wanted Kane’s place years ago, and they failed in their efforts. But if Kane was determined enough to lure me back now, they must be making another move.

Kane doesn’t do things out of the goodness of his heart. He doesn’t care that I’m his daughter. To him, this is business, not a family reunion.

Kane took us in when we were ten out of obligation. Mom was gone and his ego was too big for him to let anyone else raise his flesh and blood. But he never liked being around us. He didn’t go out of his way to get to know who we were as people.

We looked too much like our mother with our dark hair and big eyes. And even if he’ll never admit it, I think that haunted him.

We were an example of the kind of man Kane isn’t capable of being—loyal, honest.

He has the respect of his club, but he was a terrible partner to my mom and an even worse father to us. He’s not capable of love and commitment.

Looking back, I don’t blame Mom for leaving. Kane made her life hell even when she wasn’t with him. He dictated how we were raised even when we lived in the city, and he had the club scare away anyone Mom started dating.

He didn’t want her, but that didn’t mean someone else could have her.

So he pushed her until she stopped coming back.

Kane walks up to the gate and pauses, looking at me through the slats. I wonder if he notices how much I’ve changed, or if he barely remembers what I looked like back then.

“When can I go?” I ask. I’m lying to myself if I think there’s a chance he’ll let me just walk out of here.

Kane leans against the stall opposite mine and pulls out his cigarettes. He brings one to his lips and lights it. The glow of the burning ember reminds me of a hot knife, and it has my skin itching when I’m locked up in this place.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I take a step back, watching him.

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