have been naive assuming the Kings of Carnage merely skated the rules of the law as opposed to trampling all over them, but Derek never corrected my assumptions either.
That man sure has a lot to answer for.
I fight back the tears as I look at them, feeling let down and pissed off. If I stay here any longer, I’ll say something I can’t take back.
Moving over to Tate, I shake my head, blinking back the tears I refuse to let fall. Bending down, I place a kiss on his cheek, lingering for a moment, knowing this is likely something Tate won’t be able to get past. If that’s the case, then this could be our last goodbye.
That thought alone snaps the last thread of control I have. “I love you, I always will, but go home, Tate,” I whisper and walk away, letting the tears run freely when I’m sure nobody can see them.
I ignore him calling my name and head upstairs to my bedroom, passing a grinning Lexi on the way up. She opens her mouth to say something, but I’ve already reached my bullshit limit for today. My tolerance for skank is at an all-time low. Pulling back my fist, I punch her in the face, stepping over her prone body when she drops to the ground with a howl.
I make it to my bedroom door before a hand wraps around my wrist. I spin with my fist pulled back once more and find Tate looking at me with regret in his eyes.
“I see you remembered to tuck your thumb over your fingers this time,” he says softly, making me roll my eyes.
The first time I ever threw a punch, I tucked my thumb under my fingers and dislocated it. My brothers have never let me live it down since. Assholes.
“What do you want, Tate?” I swallow hard when my voice wobbles.
“I want to fix everything. I want you to be able to come home.”
“I love you, Tate, but this is my home now.” I don’t tell him about the deal I made with the guys or that even if I wanted to leave, they wouldn’t let me. He would only toss me over his shoulder and shoot his way out. As pissed as I am with them right now, I don’t want them hurt, and if I’m honest with myself, I want to stay, even knowing what I do. How fucked up is that?
I don’t say any of that though, I just pull free from his grip and open the door to my room. Taking one last look at Tate, I close the door between us and lock myself inside.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Priest
“You fucked that up,” I tell the big bastard as he makes his way back over to us. Judging from the look of guilt on his face he knows that already.
“What game are you playing?” he asks, moving closer, taking us in as we stand together.
He isn’t intimidated at all by the fact that he is outgunned and outmanned. I’d respect that if he hadn’t just hurt my old lady.
“Nobody is playing at anything,” Saint answers coldly, drawing his attention.
“Right, so you want to explain how my sister is now an old lady to the three presidents of Carnage? You only met her a couple of days ago. You know nothing about her, not a fucking thing,” he seethes.
“We know enough,” I tell him honestly, and it’s the truth. I knew I wanted Reign the second I laid eyes on her and it was never about a quick fuck.
“You’re an idiot,” Tate says with a laugh, shaking his head.
Bates twists and punches him in the face, splitting his lip. Tate doesn’t even flinch. He just smiles, his white teeth now coated with blood.
“She’ll come home eventually.” He grins.
“Why? Because you’re going to twist her head up and make her feel like shit if she doesn’t, right? Are you gonna give her an ultimatum? Make her pick between her men and her brothers?” Bate spits at him, gearing up to punch him again. As much as I think he needs taking down a peg or two, it won’t do us any favors with Reign to spill her brother’s blood on Carnage floor. It will only desecrate everything we’re trying to build with her and I’ll be damned if I give him exactly what he wants.
“You don’t know your sister very well at all if that’s the case. She walked away from you to keep you all safe. She