Page 56 of Cruel Betrayal

Probably worse.

Jade hurries across the room, throwing herself into Ellie’s arms.

Ellie grins and whispers something to her, the other siblings flocking around. Hands hover near what I can only assume are concealed weapons.

“All of you are going to be on your best behavior,” Ellie hisses, one arm still wrapped around Jade while she takes her time glaring at the rest of the siblings. “I don’t care what your problems are right now. We’re going to hear this out.”

A fist collides with the side of my face, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.

I didn’t think twice about returning the punch, fist shooting out and slamming into Aiden’s face.

He stands there, stunned for a moment before he launches himself at me.

Within seconds, we’re on the ground, fists flying back and forth.

I ram my knee into somebody, but I don’t know who. I think Royce might be involved too, but all I can do is try to stay alive. And maybe get my hands on a bowling ball.

“Enough!” Jade shouts, her voice rising above the pounding music and the throbbing in my head.

Another punch lands against the side of my ribs, forcing the air from my lungs.

I let out a wheezing breath as the bodies on top of me are pulled back by two of the other men.

Joshua eyes me like he doesn’t trust me any more than the others, and he’s probably right for that.

Sean is the only one who seems unphased about everything that’s happening, but it’s likely because he has his own people to fall back on if this shit goes even more sideways than it already has. He might be playing nice with Aiden now, but he doesn’t have to if he doesn’t want to.

Jade rushes in and grabs my arm, hauling me to my feet.

I shake off her arm, wiping blood on the back of my sleeve before looking around at the other people in the bowling alley.

Most of the patrons have left, but the staff seems unbothered, as if the Lyndes regularly start fights there.

“Knew this would be a horrible idea,” I mutter to Jade, looking down at her. “Spend time with your family. I’ll be over there.”

“No.” She grabs my hand and holds it tight before I can get away.

When I try to get my hand free, she holds it tighter, squeezing until my fingers start to ache.

“You don’t get to walk away from this and pretend it isn’t happening. You’re going to grow a pair and put up with them, and they might respect you more for it.”

“Don’t need them to respect me.”

“What about Zoe and Gia? They’re your cousins. Don’t you want them to respect you? Don’t you want them to think you can fit in with us if you want to?”

She turns to look at me with those big eyes, and for the millionth time since I first saw her, I find it impossible to resist her.

“This is a bad idea.” Yet, I follow her, still thinking about pulling out a gun and killing all of them.

It would be easy, and then she’d be mine. I wouldn’t have to share her with her family or give a damn about their opinions. I could go on with my life with her by my side, and she’d be the last person in the world I’d ever betray.

I let out a slow breath as Jade gives me a bright smile. It’s enough to make me walk through fire and straight into the belly of the beast.

Aiden eyes me like he’s still thinking about beating the hell out of me. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

I step to him. “She wants me here. You have a problem with that?”

Zoe sighs, raking her fingers through her hair. “All right, boys, I think we’re done swinging our tiny dicks for now. Why don’t we all put on our bowling shoes and have some fun?”