Page 21 of Queen Crow

I grab Lips’ elbow and move forward a step, meeting Lucy’s eyes from across the room and motioning her over to us. She doesn’t smile or react to the sight of us other than a slight inclination of her head, respectful with this many eyes on us.

I’m still happy with our choice, she’s been a great competitor and proved our adeptness at choosing another member of the Twelve. I want to smirk at the looks of fear and respect already in the eyes of the men around us, the quick turn around in attitude from the earlier Game is enough to give you whiplash.

I thrive on it though, there’s nothing I love more than watching their little minds explode at the idea of the dangerous, bloodthirsty, and deadly women that are here to own this city.

The men can’t be trusted with it.

“Lucy, this is the Wolf of Mounts Bay, your sponsor,” I say the moment the blonde stops in front of us. Lips nods at her, sizing her up in her own subtle way, but Lucy just stares back at Lips for a second and then curses under her breath, glancing away like she’s scared to look at her any longer.

I share a look with Aodhan because she’s never acted like this before, never once flinched at meeting a member of the Twelve or even the Butcher, but now she’s freaking out?

Seems suspicious.

I’m not the only one who thinks so either. Ash immediately steps up to stand with Lips, his hand by his side flexing and ready to strike the moment he needs to.

Lucy glances at him without any remorse or concern and then drops her eyes back down our feet. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Wolf. I hope you find my efforts in the Games satisfactory.”

Again, she’s being stiff and formal, and it’s not just weirding me out… it’s a warning sign.

I have to stop myself from jerking Lips away from her, shoving her behind me and into the safety of our family, surrounded by a giant wall of men who are all not only twice our size but also wearing their fair share of Kevlar.

I insisted on it and, thanks to Atticus, they agreed to it.

Lips just stares her down, no sign of the discomfort that’s killing me on her face, before nodding. “Just make sure you win. You’re the only person to carry my name in the ring, I don’t want my name sullied by your incompetence.”

Sweat beads at Lucy’s forehead as she nods and steps away from us. I’ve seen her walk into these fights with nothing but that cool, calm exterior of hers, confident in her ability to take on any competitor, and she’s sweating over Lips’ displeasure?

I need to figure it out.

I will never sleep soundly again until I do.

From across the room, the Viper stares me down with loathing, snarling and turning away when I give him a scathing smile back. Lips chuckles under her breath like she’s in love with me, which only gets her guys grumpy and insecure. It’s funny how much less worried I am about this now that they’re back.

I shared the load of what was going on with Illi, Aodhan, and a little with Atticus, but there’s something fundamental about my family that means I can relax a little with them here. Lips will help me navigate the Twelve, who are currently only eight, and I trust the guys to watch our backs.

There’s also the fact that I’m no longer worried about keeping three people alive in a Game that only two can win.

It’s a cruel twist of fate that we only have two people left but three spots open, my heart is bleeding for Jack and for Aodhan and Harley.

“Alright, let’s get this fucking show on the road! Some of us have better places to be,” the Boar calls out, a group of bikers behind him jeering and calling out in agreement.

At this point, if you’ve seen the fights once, you’ve seen everything you need to. I’m just about to mentally check out when the Boar walks up to Luca, pulling a gun out of his belt with a smirk.

I glance at Aodhan and while he doesn’t look worried, he does shift so he’s covering me a little more.

“Right or left?” the Boar says, and Luca shrugs back.

“Doesn’t make a difference to me.”

The Boar scoffs and then lifts the gun, shooting Luca through the calf. It’s obviously a low caliber gun, the bullet going in and out as neat as a pin, and Luca barely grunts at the wound.

One by one, every last one of the competitors are wounded, most of them choosing which leg to take the bullet in. Lucy goes last but she doesn’t flinch, the blood running down her leg completely unnoticed.

The Boar turns and calls out over the talking and groaning in the room, “Kill your opponent before you bleed out.”

“Well, this is new,” I murmur, but Lips just clears her throat a little.

She glances at the guys before she mumbles back, “No, it’s not.”