Page 94 of Massacre Monday

I reach up to stroke his cheek, and he closes his eyes as I do, then presses his face into my palm. “We’ll deal with it if it happens. Look how well you handled getting me.”

The smile that forms on his lips warms my skin until I settle into his hold and let him lead us into a broader step with the music. His body and mine fit better than any partner I’ve had. Despite his rudimentary talents, he’s athletic and understands how to lead. Naturally.

Everything in me heats up as we move together as one. Perhaps others are watching, but all I see is Ryan. The man who has a tight grip on me like he’s never letting go. He lowers his head and gazes into my eyes with his sparkly blues until I tingle all over.

When he gives me a slow blink and lets his chest expand with a deep inhale, I sense this may be it. He’s going to propose.

Am I ready?

I hate that I even have to ask myself that. Maybe it’s still my first instinct to run because I was afraid of being tied to anappointed who would force me into a life I didn’t want. But he won’t do that. I know that.

So why am I still hesitating?

“Pen, I don’t think you realize how much you mean to me.”

“How much do I mean to you?” I ask, my throat thick with anxiety.

“Everything. You’reeverything.” He leans down to press his lips to mine in a simmering kiss that leaves me breathless. The tip of his wet tongue parts my mouth, and I let him plunge inside. I allow him to dive deep in my soul at the same time…

While still holding on to a little fear.

The silence around us breaks my concentration. What was once a busy rooftop party has become still. Ryan glances up at the same time as me until we find what everyone is looking at.

Apollo Griffin, theDeltapresident, strolls through the entrance, wearing a fancy suit. Flanking his right side is Evie’s brother, Lex, and on the left is my twin. My heart stutters at seeing them all here, wondering what the interruption could mean. Surely, if my brother is with them, they won’t cause too much chaos.

Apollo grabs his belt and, in doing so, flashes his gun at his waist. Lex wears a terrifyingly demented smile as he scans the crowd, while Oz gives me a set of wide eyes, as if in a warning. I don’t like it one bit.

“Fuck. Stay here,” Ryan says as Aiden hurries to greet them, along with Landon.

Not listening, I scuttle just behind him. The three men make an impenetrable wall in front of me, however. MoreThetaspress in close to my back, surrounding the standoff.

“Can I help you?” Aiden asks without civility.

“Nice party. Figured ifBetawere here, we were invited, too. Are we not?” Apollo shows no weakness as he and Aiden eye each other steadily.

“This is a private party,” Aiden responds with deathly eyes. “For friends only.”

“Oh, so Hunter Remington and Chase Warrick arefriendsofThetanow. Good to know. Perhaps we should even out our numbers ifThetaandBetaare combining ranks.”

“We’reallowinga few here for now. Logan Locke is family. The rest are…inconsequential.” Aiden shakes his head slightly, seething aggravation coming through in his tone.

Apollo’s head tilts to the side as he gives a joyless smile. “I see.” He glances around the men behind us, as if making a count. With a sly glance at the white-blond man with sunken cheeks standing at his side, Apollo gives a brighter grin at Aiden, then Ryan.

Without so much as a change in his stoic expression, Lex Lynx lifts his gun tucked at his side, aims it into the crowd, and shoots twice: once into aBetaand another at aThetabrother I recognize from Red Night.

Oz holds his weapon like a baton in a parade. Like this is normal.

And maybe for him, it is now…

When did he becomethis? A mafia heir. Not just my twin brother? Adal, I expected. It’s known he’ll follow in my father’s footsteps. But seeing a reflection ofmethere, acting like he’s a badass holding a gun…it hurts. A piece of me is torn apart at not knowing him intimately anymore.

Ryan shifts until he shoves his body into mine, and the men forming a line in front of me raise their pistols toward the newcomers, including my brother.

The atmosphere intensifies until a simple spark threatens to cause an explosion.

This wasn’t justdisruptionfromDelta… It was a declaration. The Greek Games aren’t just pageantry anymore. This is war.

As I glance at my future Viscount, his family, and my friends, those hurt lying on the ground, I have no idea which side to stand on. And I’m starting to think there aren’t any safe ones left.