Page 72 of Torched

“Die, probably,” I deadpan.

“Maybe, yeah. But luckily, Liam was there for me.” The sound of her syrupy tone almost makes me want to gag, but I decide to shut up.

She’s not worth it, Gen.

“What are you wearing?” My eyes slowly roam over the flashy fuchsia pink tank top she’s wearing, all the way down to her denim shorts and sneakers.

Not exactly her style.

“We had to blend it.” She waves her hand at Liam, and I follow the motion, now noticing that he’s wearing a floral print shirt and some khaki fishing shorts.

“Blend in with what? The Catfish crowd?” I wait for a snarky comment to come my way, but before I know it, Kane storms past me, the wind it comes with almost knocking me out.

“What the—” I mutter.

“You fucking bitch!” He goes straight for Cristina’s neck while a roar erupts from his chest. With one sweep, he lifts her by her throat, throwing her onto the hood of the car. “I’m done with you, Reyes bitch!” Cristina’s fingers try to peel Kane’s hands from her neck. “I’m going to kill you!” Her eyes grow wide at his announcement, knowing Kane is not fucking around.

“Kane, stop!” Callie pulls his arm while Cristina desperately tries to kick her way to freedom, her features growing more flush with every second she lacks oxygen.

“Stop!” Callie cries, the only one who’s still making an attempt to not let Cristina suffocate. “Think of Babushka!”

The last word snaps me out of my selfish desire to see Cristina suffer, and I take a step forward.

“She’s right, Kane! Stop! We need Babushka back!”

“Please, baby!” Callie pulls his arm again, but it’s Liam who drags him off of Cristina.

The moment he loses his grip on Cristina’s airway, she sucks in a deep breath with horror in her gaze. She starts to cough, her lungs in need of release.

“Don’t, Kane. We need her.” Liam pushes him away from the car.

“We don’t fucking need her! We’ll find Babushka ourselves!”

“Kane, STOP! We are not risking her life.” Kane’s eyes lock with Callie, the fire in her eyes affecting him enough to take a deep breath.

“Fine.” He shrugs Liam off. “Fine! Get off of me! Any more tricks and you’re dead, girl!” He points his glare at Cristina, who’s still gasping for air on the hood of the car.

He pulls Callie’s arm, leading her back inside the house, and we all just stand there, not sure what to do.

Liam stares back at Cristina, patiently waiting for her to get a grip. He looks ridiculous in his outfit, being everything he’s not, but there is still power in his gaze that draws her eyes toward his.

“You better get your act together.Quickly.We will get Babushka back, but if Kane ever has to choose between Callie’s safety or Babushka’s, he will always pick her.” He takes a few steps my way, linking my fingers with his. “Same goes for Gen. Babushka comes before you on our priority list, but make no mistake, Cristina. The old woman will never come before these two girls.”

Cristina’s glare expands with every word Liam says, a wolfish glint in her dark brown eyes. Liam tucks me behind him as he walks toward the steps and into the house, but I hold my gaze on Cristina, showing her a satisfactory smile.

Eat that, bitch.

You’ll never win.

25

IMOGEN

PRESENT DAY

I’mswirlingthewinearound my glass, staring into the fire. My back presses against Liam’s chest, his mouth comfortably close to my neck the entire time. I feel safe in his arms. Like I can conquer the world, knowing he will always have my back. That I’m never alone. The feeling of loss I felt deep in my bones earlier made me realize how lucky I am for the family that I have today.

Liam, Callie, Kane, even Jeremy, the five of us make a fucking dysfunctional family with not an appropriate story to tell on anyone’s birthday. But we’re a family and we’ll go through hell for each other. That’s all I need.

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