Page 78 of Dance With A Devil

“You fucking-” My hand twitches at my side.

“Howdareyou,” I hiss, my gaze snapping to Athens. “And you. You ungrateful bitch. AftereverythingI did for you-”

The slap comes before I even register it.

Blood runs down my cheek as I touch it, stunned.

“Call her a bitch again,” Wells growls, “and I’ll bash your fucking skull in, rip off your dick, and force-feed it to you.”

The silence is volcanic. I know what’s coming next even before I hear the click of shoes behind me.

“Ah. What do we have here?” Archie enters, flanked by Branson, Desmond, Dallas. The other Elders. Wolves in aging suits, pretending they still run the pack.

He looks at Karter. “Son. What do you think you’re doing?”

“Don’t call me that. You’re a sperm donor, nothing more.” Karter spits.

Archie doesn’t flinch. Bastard’s ice cold. “That any way to treat your father?”

“There are other ways. You wouldn’t survive them.”

Fucking punk.

Wyck steps forward. “Why are you here?”

“Our business is our own. You’d do well to remember your place,” Branson snaps.

“Oh, fuck your place,” Dash growls. “We didn’t come for you. I came to find out what the hell my father thinks he’s doing threatening our girl.”

“Our girl?” Dallas bristles. “Bash, you’re really gonna let these little shits piss on your legacy?”

“No.” I raise my voice, fury tightening my throat. “Athens, get over here.Now.

She flinches.

Then she spits the words. “Fuck you, Bash.” She rips the ring off her finger and throws it at me like it burns. “You married me without my consent. You used me.”

And with eyes blazing, she adds, “If I had a mean bone in my body, I’d slit your throat and let Wells bathe in your blood.”

She turns and leaves.

Wyck’s laugh chases her out.

“Looks like you lost, Father.”

“Wells, go with her,” Wyck orders.

Wells brushes past me like I’m nothing. Like I’m a memory being erased.

And then Desmond steps forward. “We are your Elders. You will obey.”

Wyck scoffs. “You’re relics. Fossils choking on your own rot. The Devils of Cliffside deserve better.”

“You don’t know what’s at stake,” I say through clenched teeth. “There are forces beyond your-”

“I don’t care,” Wyck snaps. “You built this empire on blood and fear. We’ll burn it down and rebuild it in fire and truth.”

He steps close enough to feel his breath.