Page 202 of Blackwood

She shakes her head. “I should’ve seen it. I’m sorry, Cal.”

“Laing set you up,” I growl. “That motherfucker is dead. I’ll carve that damn dragon off his chest myself.”

Roman steps forward. “If this man betrayed you, I’ll deal with him.”

Tex snaps, “You won’t touch shit.”

Buzz. Buzz.

Bella pulls out her phone and gasps.

@LucaWasHere:

Oh Izzy, baby, so quick to accuse.

But your dragon-tatted plaything was just our bait to use.

You think he set the trap in your name?

Sweetheart, nothing in this game is tame.

I almost had you. So close. So near.

Heartbeat racing, edge of fear.

But Daddy dearest stepped into frame.

Always the hero, always the same.

Lexie was late, he nearly lost.

You slipped right through and look at the cost.

He swings, he guards, he plays the brave.

But I see the cracks he’ll never save.

So let him chase, let him play pretend,

But Lexie’s nearing his bitter end.

He should go home and stop wasting his breath.

Before I show him the shape of death.

I grip her arm. “We’re done. You’re not staying out here where poet boy can see.”

♥♥♥

The door slams behind us. I throw my helmet so hard it bounces off the wall. Cade winces. Bella flinches. She still hasn’t said a word since we left that sidewalk.

Good. Because if she opens that pretty mouth right now, I might say something I won’t come back from. Or worse, pull her into my arms and never let her leave them again.

She walks inside like a ghost. Bruised, bleeding, silent. And I swear to fucking God, I’m two seconds from losing it.

“You should’ve fucking told me.”

She stops in the center of the room, arms crossed tight like she’s holding herself together by threads. “Lex—”