Addictive (Houston Defiance MC #2) - K.E. Osborn Page 0,14

brother, just like you should have done yours.” Ethan turns, storming out of the clubhouse followed by the rest of the cops as Wraith’s arms around me finally let go. I spin, turning to him—he’s as wrecked as I am. His eyes are haunted as he tries to find his next breath.

Texas walks over, gripping Wraith on his shoulder. “We have to fix this! But right now, these brothers are looking to you as their leader. You have to step up, Wraith. I understand you and Zero have some issues right now, but you gotta push that aside to find a way out of this.”

“Wraith, we have to help him,” I beg.

Cherry steps up, her eyes overflowing with tears. “This is all my fault. The Baron said he was going to file those charges. I just didn’t think he would follow through. I shot his son… he might come after me next.”

Wraith puts his hands up stopping us all from bombarding him. “Okay. We all know this is the Baron’s doing. He holds all the cards here in Texas. I have no fucking idea how I’m going to get Zero out of this, but I will…” his eyes meet mine, “… we will.” The steely determination in his gaze sets a fire burning deep in the pit of my stomach, and I know somehow, we will succeed.

Neon walks over, showing Wraith his screen. “I’ve checked it out. Zero’s got a rap sheet a mile long. The Baron’s after him. He wants to make this shit stick. If we don’t get someone on Zero’s side, he’s goin’ away for a long-ass time.”

My chest squeezes tight.

I’m losing my family all over again.

Sure, Zero didn’t die, but he may as well have.

The police took him from me this time.

This club just fucking takes and takes.

My hand races to my mouth as I let out a whimper, then I turn and start running.

I need to get the fuck away from everything.

Water floods my eyes so much it’s hard to see.

My name’s being called, but I can’t make out who’s calling it. I dash for the stairs, taking them two at a time, my breath hardly makes it into my lungs before it’s forced out again. Once I reach the top of the stairs, seeing Zero’s room to the left, it shatters me. My back hits the nearest door, my legs giving way as I slide to the floor. Bringing my knees up, I drop my face against them, wrapping my arms around my legs, and I cry for everything I’ve lost.

Everyone I’ve lost.

All because of this fucking club.

My stomach twists, churning as gut-wrenching sobs leave my body.

I’m usually so strong, so self-assured, but this, this is too much.

This is why I left this fucking godawful place.

Because all it does is take.

Something shifts next to me, making my head snap up. Wraith’s beside me, his eyes droop as he takes me in, and it is all I need to calm my hysterics the instant his eyes meet mine. He has a way of making things either a thousand times worse, or in moments like this, calming the raging storm inside me. Because he is my storm, and when I’m in his presence, it’s like I’m in the eye of the hurricane, and I just have to wait and hold on for the ride that’s coming. Will this be the ride of my life, or the one that fractures me in two? I can’t see how this ride is going to pan out yet.

Wraith exhales, his eyes glistening like sunlight shining through a glass of whiskey. Real emotion is emanating back at me.

Is he in as much pain as I am right now?

No, that would be impossible.

He hasn’t lost what I have.

“Prinie, I know we’re not in a good place right now—”

“Just get him back, Wraith. Please,” I beg.

“I have Neon working on finding an attorney who’s gone up against the Baron before and won. Our usual attorney won’t cut it for this. The Baron has people in the judicial system, on the force, fuck, in the prisons… his money talks. This is going to be a big fight.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

Wraith cracks his neck to the side. “No, it’s telling you how it is. I’m not sure how long it’s going to take before we’ll get Zero out of this, but I won’t stop trying… no matter what it takes.”

I sniffle, wiping under my eyes. “Will he be protected in…” I