Page 24

The kiss still burns on my lips when Oaks knocked like the damn Grim Reaper, coming to kill my boner.

I pull back from Sophie, breath ragged, her body still flush against mine. Her fingers linger on my chest like she ain’t ready to let go, and neither am I. Not for all the bourbon in Kentucky.

But then, three sharp knocks. That club knock. Urgent.

I pull away slow, already missin’ her warmth.

“Legend,” Oaks calls through the door. “We got movement.”

I look down at Sophie, her lips swollen from our kiss, eyes wide, still dazed. I brush my thumb across her cheek, soft, quick. “Stay inside. Lock the door after I go. You armed?”

She nods, silent, trusting me when maybe she shouldn’t. I don’t want to leave her. Not after what just happened. But the world ain’t gonna stop spinning just ‘cause your heart finally catches fire.

Word spread faster than a damn wildfire through the clubhouse. We got a rat. And in my world? That ain’t just a problem. That’s a death sentence.

Next thing I know, we’re holed up in the war room, used to be a holding cell back when this place was still the county jail.

Now it’s where the Kings deal out our own kind of justice.

Ain’t no bars on the windows anymore, just concrete walls, bad lighting, and the kind of silence that makes grown men sweat.

Critter’s in the hot seat, lookin’ like he’s two seconds from pissin’ himself. Pale, twitchy, damn near vibrating with fear. Bullet’s posted behind him, arms folded, his knife’s hilt tapping steady against his leg like a countdown.

“Talk,” I say, voice flat as a grave. “Now.”

“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, Legend,” Critter blurts, eyes dartin’ like a damn rabbit. “They got me outside the feed store in Elk Ridge. Said they knew who I was. Said they’d hurt my little sister if I didn’t…”

“That’s cute,” I cut in, slow and cold. “Because what you did? That don’t look like fear. That looks like betrayal.”

He flinches. “They wanted info on Sophie. Where she stays. Who watches the house. Layout of the land. Where we’re posted. I didn’t give 'em everything, I swear.”

I start pacing. That familiar rage builds in my gut, black and biting. I circle him slow, eyes locked on him like a predator.

“You gave them enough ,” I growl. “Enough to take a shot at her. Enough to get people killed. That makes you mine now. You understand me? If Sophie even thinks about bleeding, I’ll make what they threatened look like a damn love letter.”

Critter’s shaking, eyes wide. “Please… I didn’t want this…”

The door slams open. Oaks storms in, phone still in hand, look hard enough to break bone.

“We got a problem,” he says, no preamble.

“Bigger than this sorry bastard?” Bullet asks, voice like broken glass.

Oaks nods once. “The Depraved Sinners lit up our safehouse outside Lexington. Left a patch nailed to a goddamn tree.”

My hands curl into fists.

“They’re done hiding,” Oaks finishes. “This is war.”

The room shifts. Tension hardens into something solid. Rye spits on the floor. Royal steps in, already lacing up his gloves. Everyone’s locked in. No more posturing. This is it.

“Gear up,” I bark. “We ride now. But this rat?” I jerk my chin at Critter. “Strip his patch. He’s done.” I take out my marker and go to him, write the letters across his sweaty forehead.

D.O.N.E.

Bullet yanks him up like dead weight. Critter’s begging now, but I ain’t listening. “I’ve got somethin’ you boys want. Give me another chance…”

I don’t waste energy on weakness.

Not when there’s a war coming.