Page 74 of Beautiful Fiend

Caden: I need a magic kiss.

So he really had a fight with Xi. Threatened him to stay away from me. My stomach flutters at the idea, but my heart tightens. This is wrong; he can’t just threaten my family. I put my phone back on my desk and grab the split ends of my hair, pulling and breaking them. Anxiety has had such a strong hold on me lately that I forget what I feel like when it’s not here.

I’m cuddling Murder in bed when someone knocks on my door.

“Come in,” I mumble.

“Hey, Pumpkin.”

I stare daggers at my dad, not over our discussion from earlier.

“I know you’re mad at me, but I’m only doing this to protect you,” he explains like I’m a five-year-old.

“I don’t need to be protected, Dad,” I huff desperately. “Please, you have to believe me.”

He scratches his beard for long seconds before his apologetic eyes meet mine. “I want you to go sleep at your mom’s tonight.”

I sit up so quickly, Murder jumps off the bed. “Why?”

“Because I’m asking you to.”

“What are you guys doing? What’s your plan?”

“That’s not for you to worry about.”

“Are you seriously sending Sam after Caden?” Panic grips my chest, its claws ripping my lungs. “You…you’re sending a professional hitman after him because youthinkhe did me wrong? He didn’t!”

“We’re sending them a message. No one is getting killed. As much as I love you, this goes beyond you. The Kings have been walking all over us for two years. It’s time to fight back.”

“But—”

“I’ve called your mom. She’s expecting you.”

He grabs my gym bag from the floor and passes it to me. “Pack for a couple of nights. I don’t want you here should things go south. She’s in pretty neutral territory. No one ever goes and causes trouble in the trailer park.”

I gulp as I stand up and grab my bag from him. “Please, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Emma has made a decision as the head of our gang. I think she should stick to it now.”

“Then, at least let me be here. I’m part of this! You can’t just keep me out. I’ve always had your back.”

“You said it yourself, you want to become a professional fighter and can’t be involved in this anymore. I agree.”

I walk past him, “I need to speak to Emma.”

“She’s gone, Pumpkin. Now please pack your bag and go to your mom’s.”

I swallow the dread that keeps making its way up my throat and look at my dad, dejected. I don’t say anything as I pack my bag. I’m too disappointed in all of them.

Just as I finish packing, he says, “Bil’s.”

I peer up at him, ready to hear he’s changed his mind about this whole thing.

“Leave Murder with us, will you? We could do with the extra help.”

I hate this. NSC is not strong enough to take on the Kings, and involving Sam is a stupid idea.

As soon as I walk into my mom’s house, I know it’s not a good day for her.

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