Page 13 of Reign By Wrath

“Yes, and—” The truth hit me in the face. “Everleigh is one of the monsters behind the scenes, running things. That’s how she knew she was talking to the right people when she sent Giovanni, Wesley, and the others after Winter,” I said. “They’re a threat, but thanks to me, they’re not a secret anymore. I’ve got the whole campus talking about them.”

“That doesn’t protect you.”

“The guys will protect me, and I’ll protect them. It’s what we do.”

“Like they protected you from Starling?”

“That’s different.” I went to the kitchen and poured myself a drink. I didn’t know how much time had passed since Mr. Dumont pulled me out of that fire. It was long enough that my throat was sandpaper. “We got into that mess because we couldn’t be honest with each other. Now that everything is out in the open, nothing like this is going to happen again.”

“You don’t know that. If you’re so worried, I’ll allow them to join us where we’re going. That’s my best and final offer.”

“But—”

“Feel free to explore the boat,” he said, walking out. “Nothing is off-limits to you.”

“But, Alistair!”

He left, leaving me fuming at his retreating back. Eventually I dropped the scowl, and then myself in the armchair. How could I blame him? No one could deny Everleigh Starling was dangerous. She tried to have me killed and would’ve succeeded if she hadn’t chosen the wrong hit man.

I was asking to face her again with the odds uneven. She had enormous wealth, influence, the Royal line, and the T.O.D. Club at her disposal. What did I have to go against her? Alistair wouldn’t help me kill the teenage daughter of his former best friend. I only had my guys by my side, and that’s assuming they weren’t planning on dumping me for getting them in this mess.

Groaning, my head dropped on the cushion. Victor refused to throw in with the Rogues. Wilder was preoccupied with the mysterious threat from his brother. Rafael and Cato were being used to control their father, and me...

I was no closer to figuring out how I would take down Everleigh since before I started my thought train.

“Think,” I said out loud. “Eventually, Everleigh will realize her plan to draw Alistair out into the open failed. She’s waited ten years for this. She won’t just give up. So, if I was her, what would I do then?”

My brain didn’t have answers for me.

Chapter Two

“You have to take meback.”

Alistair munched on a piece of toast, paying me half a mind while he scrolled on his laptop. “I only have to do what someone has the power to force me to do. That’s not you, sweetheart.”

“Stop calling me that,” I snapped. “I’ll admit I’m a Burkhardt when the paternity test comes back.”

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