Page 59 of Rebels & Rejects

Oliver’s gaze drops to take in my outfit before returning to my face, lingering there as he grows serious. “I did.” He lifts his hands off the laptop, interlocking them and resting them on his lap as he relaxes back in his chair. “What do you know about the Antonellis?”

It’s a fair question, but one that surprises me all the same. “Ehh, not much. Our paths haven’t really crossed.”

He nods and ponders over something for a moment before he leans forward, placing his forearms on the desk as he sears me with an intense look. “When we were thirteen, the four of us—Cain and I, our friend, Beck, and Cain’s sister—were hanging out on the front porch when they tore down our street, firing off bullets. They stormed their way onto Cain’s property and kidnapped his sister.” My eyes widen in surprise. I figured they had to have done something to invoke Cain’s wrath, butJesus, I wasn’t expecting that. “He never saw her again.”

I swallow around the emotion clogging my throat. “Why are you telling me this?” I ask in a quiet voice. I highly doubt Cain wants me knowing such personal shit about him.

“Because you need to understand what this is all about. We’re not after Antonelli territory; we don’t want their money. This is cold, hard vengeance. Cain has dedicated his entire life to this war, and nothing will stand in his way.”

All the words he’s not saying rattle around in my head—this is why Cain acts the way he does, why he was so hellbent on finding the Reaper. It certainly explains the weird moment we shared at Strip Tease that night he was drunk. Most importantly, Oliver’s telling me that, whether or not I help them, Cain’s going to avenge his sister. Nothing will stop his crusade. Whether I like it or not, there’s a war coming, and I can either sit on the sidelines and watch, or I can finally stand up and fight for this town.

“What about you?” I ask. “Why are you here?”

His lips flatten, and I can tell he doesn’t want to share that personal detail with me. “Because that’s what family does for one another.”

It’s a non-answer at best, but Oliver’s reasons for being here are none of my business.

Before either of us can say anything else, I hear heavy footsteps behind me in the hall and turn as Cain’s ominous presence fills the doorway.

“Oh goodie, you came,” he drawls, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I have to bite back my retort, mentally reminding myself of what Oliver just disclosed, so I don’t chew the asshole’s head off. Glowering at him, I step aside so he can move into the room, and he pushes the door shut behind him. With the three of us packed into the small space, I begin to feel uncomfortably claustrophobic—not that I’d let on to either of them how on edge I am. I’m the goddamn motherfucking Reaper. I’m a badass bitch. I’m not going to let some moody manchild get the better of me.

“Is that really how you want to speak to someone whose help you need?” I retort snidely.

“Will the two of you just park it for five minutes so we can all get on the same page?” Oliver interrupts before Cain can follow through on whatever violent thoughts I’m sure are flashing through his head right about now.

With a shrug, I turn away from Cain, dismissing him. “Sure. I knowI’mcapable of acting like an adult.”

A low growl comes from behind me, but Oliver throws him a warning look before he can voice whatever scathing reply he had in mind. Instead, I hear him grumble something incoherent under his breath as I focus my attention on Oliver.

He rolls his eyes as he stands up from behind the desk and moves around it. Crossing his arms over his chest, he looks between Cain and me. “There’s no reason we can’t work together,” he begins, acting as mediator. “Overthrowing the Antonellis would benefit us all.”

“What happens when the Antonellis are destroyed? Who gets their territory?” I question.

“We do,” Cain says with all the arrogance of someone who’s used to being in charge.

Before I can snark back that I’m not entirely sure that’s better than the Antonellis—although I don’t know if I really believe that any more—Oliver huffs out a frustrated breath.

“The plan is that, eventually, no one will be in charge of Black Creek.”

His words gain my attention, and I lift my head to meet his gaze. “You mean no gangs?”

“Yup.”

I stand there shocked for a moment as I try to picture that reality before my eyes narrow and a crease lines my forehead. “Is that even possible?”

Lifting his arm, Oliver runs his hand along the back of his head. “Honestly, I’m not sure, but it’s worth a try, right? The people of Black Creek deserve to live their lives without the fear of retribution if they step even a toe out of line.”

Huh, their plan is so much grander than just a vendetta.It’s actually a noble goal, there’s just one problem... “What about the Grim Bastards?”

“Uhh, yeah,” Oliver starts with a grimace. “We’re going to take them down, too.”

I’m completely fucking stunned, unable to do anything but blink at him for a moment as I process that information. Eventually, though, a scoff bursts free and I shake my head in disbelief.

“Of course, you are because why go after one criminal conglomerate when you can go after two.”

“So you’re in?” Cain’s voice is unnaturally soft, almost as though he’s nervous to hear my answer. I meet Oliver’s gaze, seeing the determination burning within his eyes before I turn to face Cain. He’s wearing his usual stoic expression, but that same resolve is smoldering in his green depths.

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