Page 71 of Scavenger's Oath
He grabs her waist, pulling her behind him again, calm as ever. “You're not in the right headspace for this.”
“Oh, fuck you, Phoenix.” I reach around him, grabbing her wrist. “You don't get to play hero. You didn't even want her until she opened her legs. Now you're going to playguard dog?”
“She made a choice.”
“She doesn't know what the fuck she's doing!” I roar, yanking her toward me. “You're fucking with her head!”
“She's not a fucking toy, Myles!” he shouts back, grabbing her other arm. “You don't just get to own her because you decided to!”
We're both gripping her—each of us holding a piece like we’re going to break her in half.
She's the only damn thing that matters.
Ivy lets out a choked sob, eyes brimming with tears as we jostle her. Her feet scramble for traction on the floor, trying to steady herself. Her wide eyes dart between us, begging for one of us to stop.
But I can't let go.Iwon't.
Because letting go means I lose. It meanshewins… thatI wasn't enough.
I'm not ready to accept that. Not ever.
If I lose her now. I won’t survive it.
Chapter 24
Zane
I hear it from the street behind the station.
Raised voices—Myles, sharp and wild.
Then I hear a crash.
My heart stops cold, then kicks into overdrive.
Abandoning my patrol, I race down the side of the old pharmacy, jump the back fence, and land hard in the loading dock as another shout rattles the walls.
It's coming from the holding room. I can see movement in the grimy windows.
I don't think. I just run.
Barging through the back door, I round the corner and skid to a halt. The scene is the last thing I’d ever want to see.
Myles and Phoenix. Grappling. Throwing punches. And Ivy… Fuck, she's caught between them!
One of the old desks is a splintered heap behind them, cracked down the middle like someone was thrown onto it. Phoenix’s back is covered in debris. He has an arm out in front of Ivy like he's trying to protect her—but that hand is wrapped around her hips, possessive as hell.
Myles’s lip is split and bleeding. He’s gripping Ivy’s arm, yanking her forward.
Their voices overlap, barking accusations and spitting venom. As if she's some goddamn prize at a carnival they’re both trying to claim.
Ivy turns, eyes finding mine—frightened, filled with tears, pleading.
And that's it. That's enough to shatter the fragile calm I’d found out on patrol.
My deep voice pierces through the chaos like a bullet. “Let. Her. Go.”
Phoenix doesn’t turn but Myles’s gaze lifts, his grasp faltering.
