Page 3 of Beautiful Fiend

“We almost fucking died! You need to catch up, Jamie. I know…I know this is hard.” My own voice breaks when it hits me that her boyfriend died. They loved each other. “But it happened."

“No,” she whispers after a long silence.

“Yes,” I insist as I put both my hands on her shoulders. “He’s gone, Jamie. I’m sorry.”

She explodes in sobs, talking about his family and friends and who will tell them. She falls to the floor and sympathy overcomes me. She just lost the love of her life.

“Shh,” I crouch in front of her and rub her shoulders. “I’m sorry,” I whisper to her.

“I can’t…I can’t, it hurts.” She grabs at her chest, sobbing some more and calling out her boyfriend’s name in vain.

“You’re strong,” I try my best to get her to calm down. “It’s going to be okay.”

She screams, and fear grips me. She’s going to get us found.

“Shh, shh,” I say as I take her into my arms, pulling her close. “I know this hurts, baby. I know. But please, you need to keep quiet. The Wolves have sent the Kings after us right now.” I don’t know why I keep talking and explaining everything to her. Maybe I need to lay down the facts for myself. To understand that this is indeed happening. “The Bianco Family lost an important fight, and the night is turning into a fucking hunt for North Shore Crew and anyone else affiliated with Bianco. If they find us…” I struggle to swallow down the fear. Nothing good will happen if they find us.

“Leave me here,” she rasps. “Just leave me, please.”

“I can’t,” I fight her. “Jake would have never let me. I can’t do this to him.”

“Jake is gone,” she sobs loudly.

My heart stops beating when I hear hurried footsteps at one end of the alley.

“Right here!” a voice shouts. It’s one of Caden’s friends, Elliot. Both are just as fucking crazy.

“It’s Scott,” someone else adds, recognizing me. I recognize him, too. He’s the other piece in their trio: Elliot’s stepbrother, Ethan.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I panic. I want to act strong and keep it down right now but, fuck, if they catch me, I’m worse than dead. I try to pull Jamie up, but she resists. “Jamie, get up.Please, get up,” I beg her.

She finally follows, and I stop to look at the three shadows approaching us.

“Come out, come out, Billie,” Caden sing-songs. A threatening melody that brings goosebumps to my skin. “We’re hunting NSC bitches tonight.”

My voice wobbles when I drag Jamie with me. “That’s Caden King. We need to leave. We need to leavenow.”

We hurry toward the other end of the alley, but I stop and force her to stop too. Someone is coming from the other side. It’s impossible to see who from here.

“Shit.” My shoulders slump from the defeat. I let go of Jamie and run a hand over my face. This is not good.

I turn back to the three guys right by us and gather my courage. I cross my arms over my small chest and try to make myself look threatening. Or at least not like a little mouse about to be eaten. I’m not weak; I have years of MMA behind me. I won’t go down without a fight. They can fucking count on that.

Caden gives me his most beautiful, carnal smile. “Billie Scott.” He juts his chin toward Jamie. “Who’s that?”

“I know who that is,” Elliot says. He runs a hand through his blond hair. “That’s Jake White’s girl. Well…was.”

“Looks like we got the best catch of the night,” Caden mocks. His piercing green eyes dart to Ethan then back to Jamie. His friend gets the hint and grabs her by the arm, making her whimper.

“Leave her alone,” I tell Caden. He’s the one in charge, so there’s no point asking his dogs anything. They only listen to him.

He takes a threatening step toward me, and his smile widens. It takes everything in me not to move back. “Now, why would I do that?”

Our height difference is ridiculous. I know the first impression I give. I’m small, with big doe-eyes, and on the skinnier side. But I know what I’m capable of. Caden King will not make me feel weak.

“The girl just lost her boyfriend. Don’t be a dick, Caden.”

“Talking about dicks.” He smirks down at her. “How about I ram mine down her throat. She’s single now.”

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