How Sinners Fight - Eva Ashwood Page 0,57

that we all know what Cliff’s got up his sleeve, how do we stop him from using it?”

“We need to get leverage over him.” Elias speaks up, running a hand through his hair. “He’s trying to blackmail you into leaving, so we need to blackmail him into backing off.”

“Yeah.” Declan nods, pursing his lips. “Just because his family is powerful, that doesn’t mean he’s invincible. He’s gotta have some skeletons in his closet.”

I chew my lip, considering their answer. “It makes sense, I guess. I just wish we had something more solid.”

“We’ll find it.” Gray’s voice is hard and determined. “And if we don’t find it, we’ll create it, just like he did. He’s not the only one who can play dirty if it comes down to it.”

“In the meantime,” Declan adds, his gaze flicking to Gray, “we need to make sure Cliff knows we’ve all got Sophie’s back. If he knows we’re willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe, maybe that’ll be enough to hold him off for a while.”

“Agreed,” Gray says immediately. His gaze catches mine, and I see so many emotions swirling in his irises that it almost bowls me over. “You’re mine, Sophie. You’re ours. We won’t let Cliff drive you out, and we won’t let him hurt you if you stay. I’ve got a lot of shit to atone for, and I’m starting right now.”

15

Elias, Declan, and Gray are already waiting for me outside my dorm building when I leave the next morning, like my own personal bodyguards.

And for once, instead of feeling a flare of irritation at the thought that they might think I need to be protected, their presence makes me feel stronger.

It makes me feel like a fucking queen, surrounded by people who care.

We meet up with Max on the way across campus, and her eyebrows shoot up so high at the sight of all three guys around me that I almost laugh. She joins us without a word though, nudging me with her elbow as she jostles in between me and Gray.

The stares start almost immediately, and as we head into the dining hall to grab breakfast, I know the gossip mill of Hawthorne is churning faster than ever, the news spreading around campus.

I might have effectively broken up the Sinners, I’ve also managed to put them back together.

Caitlin narrows her eyes at me when we enter the dining hall, her lip curling. By her side, her little cronies Reagan and Gemma gawk and stare, not entirely sure how they should react to the sight of me surrounded by the three men.

After breakfast, the guys won’t even let me walk to my classes alone. Gray joins Declan and Elias in escorting me across campus, staring down anyone who dares to look at me for longer than a few seconds. They’re staking their claim, and if it weren’t for the threat of Cliff hanging over me, I might actually find their over-the-top glares a little amusing.

“Speak of the fucking devil,” Max mutters when I tell her my thoughts quietly enough that the guys can’t hear.

Cliff and the rest of the Saints have just rounded the corner ahead of us. The man with coppery red hair hesitates for a second at the sight of us, his footsteps slowing. Then he scowls.

All three of the Sinners step in front of me in a smooth motion, as if Cliff has a gun pointed at my head and they’re ready to take a bullet for me. Cold fury laces Cliff’s sharp features.

“This is disappointing, Eastwood,” he says evenly. “You’ve become her bitch again.”

Jesus. Fuck this asshole.

I want to lunge at him, but Max wraps a hand around my arm in silent warning. Goddammit, she’s right. We can’t just out-and-out attack Cliff. That’ll only be handing him the perfect leverage to use against me.

Aaron shifts on his feet, looking at Max before dropping his gaze.

He looks… conflicted?

That can’t be right.

Gray’s back straightens as he stares down the Saints. “The deal is off, Montgomery.” He spits out Cliff’s last name like a curse.

Cliff takes a measured step forward, his gaze never leaving Gray’s. “Are you sure you want to do that?” he asks smoothly, his voice laced with a threat.

Gray doesn’t even hesitate. “It’s what I should’ve done from the fucking beginning. Sophie is ours, and a fight against her is a fight against us. So maybe I should be the one asking you, Cliff, are you really sure you want to do this? You