Page 76 of Little Bird (Advantage Play 3)

Clenching my hands into tight fists, I watch helplessly as Kingston grips Regina’s forearm to prevent her from stumbling inside before leaning down to whisper something in her ear.

The tears continue to slide down her cheeks, but she gives him a jerky nod as her gaze finds mine across the room. They hold them for a split second before nearly drowning me in her sorrow. Squeezing her eyes shut, she shrugs out of Kingston’s hold then folds her arms across her chest. The pain written across her face hits me harder than my own ever could, though I can tell she’s trying to look strong. For me.

And I’m gutted.

I’d give anything to hear what he’s said to her, but I’m smart enough to keep my mouth shut.

For now.

With a gentleness I don’t expect, he ushers her inside with the palm of his hand resting against her upper back. Once she’s settled near the wall by the exit, he parts the crowd like Moses with the Red Sea and addresses his men.

“Gentlemen, do you know why I’ve invited you here?”

He receives a wave of nods in response, but the silence remains.

Satisfied, he continues. “Early this morning, I found evidence that a man I’ve trusted, one of our men, a man whom I welcomed into the family with open arms,” he adds, pausing for effect, “disobeyed a direct order.”

I gulp, but hold his stare as it cuts through the crowd like a hot knife through butter. Cocking his head to the side, he scrutinizes me openly.

“It’s a shame,” he admits, his tone ringing with resigned disappointment. “This same man proved his loyalty only hours before when he delivered a piece of vital information to me. Something he could’ve easily kept to himself if he chose to do so. Hell, he could’ve even used it against the Romano family to cause more chaos in an already turbulent time.” Raising his hands at his sides, he faces his palms toward the ceiling while motioning to the crowd of soldiers. “The combination has put me in quite the predicament, as I’m sure you can all understand.”

Grunts of said understanding rumble throughout the room.

“But before I reach my verdict, it’s time for you to all show him what we do to Romano men who fail to put the family first.”

My eyes dart around the room at his ominous words. Each and every one of the men remains in their place but turn their attention from me to my half brother. Weaving between fellow soldiers, he stops a foot in front of me. There’s something in his expression that causes my stomach to tighten. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe a bit of regret? Disappointment? And motherfucking stubbornness that makes it clear that whatever’s about to happen is going to hurt like a bitch. I watch as he cocks his fist back, and the next thing I know, my head snaps back and a dull ringing pulses in my ears. Opening my eyes wide, I look up at the ceiling as my mind scrambles to register what the hell just happened. I feel like I just got hit with a baseball bat in the jaw. I’ve been hit before. I’ve had the shit kicked out of me until I woke up in a pool of my own blood. But that hit? From my own flesh and blood? It hurt. Bad.

“Family first, brother. Always.” Diece steps to the side, then another fist connects with my cheekbone, amplifying the ringing in my ears as pain radiates from the fresh hit.

“Family first,” the stranger murmurs before another fist slams into my nose. A gush of blood follows it immediately.

Then another hit.

And another.

And another.

Until the room is spinning, and my chin is resting on my heaving chest as I try to shove aside the pain. I can only imagine the mess that I look like. Hell, my eyes are practically swollen shut from having the shit kicked out of me, and I know without a doubt that my nose is broken, and that I likely have a concussion from the beating too.

“Dex.” A voice slinks into my consciousness, and I open my eyes to register who it belongs to. Kingston. “You came here as nothing but a bastard.” I blink my swollen lids to hide my disdain for the term, but he doesn’t miss me flinch as the filthy word sinks in.

Bastard.

Stalking closer, he continues, “You were given the opportunity to make a name for yourself that holds respect instead of shame. Do you think you earned it with your actions, despite disobeying a direct order?”

The crowd is silent. Every single eye in the room watches me carefully as they all wait for my response because if Kingston doesn’t believe it to be the truth, I’m a goner. The answer gets lodged in my throat, and I force it down with a thick swallow as I search out my Little Bird in the sea of people. When I find her near the exit, I notice she’s a mess of emotion from having witnessed my beating. The tears stream down her cheeks steadily as she holds my gaze, and I’d give anything to wipe them away and promise that everything is going to be okay. I’m just not sure that it is. Releasing a slow breath through her pouty mouth, she tries to stay strong while failing miserably.

“Answer me, Dex,” Kingston orders, losing his patience.

“I should’ve spoken up when you first gave your orders. I knew I’d never be able to follow them. I’m your man, Boss. I promise to put this family first in every single circumstance, and I will die for my brothers if the day ever calls for it…with one exception.”

“Dex,” Regina whispers. I don’t hear her murmur my name, but I watch her mouth form it nonetheless.

Kingston grabs my attention by stepping between his sister and myself, effectively cutting off our connection. “I gave you an order—”

“But you required the one thing I couldn’t give,” I admit. “Do your worst, Kingston. I would expect nothing less from the Dark King, but know that I’ll never regret touching your sister, and if you let me out of this room, the only promise I’ll be able to make in regards to her is that I’ll stop attempting to keep my distance. She’s mine. She always will be. That being said, if you show me mercy, you won’t regret it. I’m a Romano, and I won’t let you down.”

“Knife.” Kingston spits the word like it’s a curse before Stefan rushes forward with a wicked sharp blade cradled in his hand. After placing the handle into Kingston’s palm, he retreats into the crowd, and I’m left with the Dark King standing a few feet away from me.

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