Page 124 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

“It doesn’t fucking matter if it was physical or not. Either way, the bitch needs to pay,” Jax spits out.

Even now, the thought of hurting her made my stomach turn. But she couldn’t get away with what she did, either.

“I…”

She will pay for helping King kill my mother, but on my terms. Death will not come to her easily.

Jax sighs, shaking his head, before pulling me under his arm. “Too fucking kind for your own good.”

“I’m not—”

Kai speaks over me, leaving no question for debate. “Leave her… We’ll deal with her another time.”

Jax frowns but begrudgingly agrees as he places a soft kiss to the side of my head. His eyes soften seeing my smile.

“Let’s go.”

Reality sets in, making me realise that this is really happening. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I can’t remember the last time that happened, probably a time before King.

“Let’s get out of here and get that tag off you so we can get the hell out of this city,” Jax says.

Finally, feeling content and happy at the prospect of a future, we make our way past the towers of crates to the open area of Kaladar’s dead guards.

Just before we reach the entrance, a foreboding feeling rushes through me, making me pause.

“Kiarra? What’s wrong?” Kai asks, seeing me stop.

“I don’t know… Something.”

Kai frowns, placing a hand on each side of my face. “Are you in pain?”

I give him a small, reassuring smile. “No. It’s nothing like that.”

I look down at my body, trying to describe what I’m feeling.

“It’s like something is coming, something bad.”

The guys glance around, their beasts trying to push through to find the threat.

“I’m not sensing anything,” Luka says, frowning at me.

After a couple of minutes of nothing happening, doubt creeps in, making me feel like I’ve lost the plot.

“I’m sorry, guys. I’m probably just going crazy or something.” I give them a humourless chuckle.

Kai cuts me a sharp look. “You’re not crazy. You’ve been through a lot. It’s going to take a while before you realise you’re safe with us.”

“We’re here now, don’t worry.” Jax says.

I give Jax a small smile. Taking a deep breath, I ignore the dread building up inside me, pushing it down.

Slowly it eases, making me think it might have all been in my head.

That is, until a familiar cold voice drawls out behind us, making everything inside me turn cold.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

CHAPTER 25

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