Page 14 of The Betrayal You Serve

Maybe that's what it was all about, her way of forcing us together.

But why now?

Letty.

If she knew enough about Letty to go after her and spill her secrets, then she knows how much Letty means to me, which means the bitch has been following us.

My hands wring the wheel, not liking the feeling that thought stirs within me. It only solidifies Letty's words of wanting to stay out of this world. I understood them at the time, no one other than brainwashed kids want to be a part of this world, but to walk-in voluntarily because of me, no.

Only fucking idiots would sign up for this life knowing exactly what it entailed, the risks.

I shake my head as I think of a younger me looking up at the Hawks, at Victor, like they were gods. Sadly, it's still how shit works in the Creek. It's how they get new junior members wanting to initiate in every single year. They're told they're safer on the inside. That their families are safer if they join—that's if their daddies aren't already senior members, which most are. It's expected of the boys to join, follow in their father's footsteps. And if they don't… well, it's time to get the fuck out of the Creek before Victor and his band of merry men find you and force your hand.

The gates open as I approach to let me escape and I head straight back toward Maddison.

Pulling my cell from my pocket, I find the person who's going to know exactly where I need to be and I hit call, putting it on loudspeaker and dropping my cell to my lap.

"You fucked up." Is Ella's greeting the second the call connects.

"It's not how it looked."

A bitter laugh crackles through the line. "That's what they all say."

"I'm serious. How much do you know?" I ask, not wanting to tell her shit that Letty hasn't already.

"That she showed up going out of her mind. But don't worry, she's got plenty of friends who want to comfort her, make her feel better."

The exact thoughts she's trying to imply fill my head, making my grip on the wheel tighten and my foot press down that little bit harder on the accelerator.

"Where is she?" I growl down the line.

"Enjoying herself away from you," she spits.

"Ella," I warn, my voice menacingly low.

"Kane," she seethes back, not backing down from my threat.

"Fine, I'll find her myself. She's clearly not sitting beside you, so I know exactly where she is. I pretty much already knew, I just needed it confirmed.”

"Kane, no. P-please don't."

"She's mine, Ella. Mine. You can try to stop me all you want but I'll plow right through you," I warn.

I'm back in Maddison and pulling up to the Dunn house not long later.

I stop on the street a little down from where I parked the first time I came here for her and briefly think of the outcome of that night.

A wicked smile threatens my lips at the memory of taking her in that motherfucker’s bedroom. But then reality crashes down and I remember why she's here, why she ran to them.

If they've fucking touched her…

Throwing the car door open, I climb out and make my way toward the house. Unlike last time, I don't hide and people immediately recognize me.

More than a few try to stop me to tell me how I almost turned the game around earlier but I don't stop to chat with any of them. I've got a target—or two—in mind, and I won't stop until I know they're nowhere fucking near my girl.

If she's upset thinking I've fucked up, then she needs to have it out with me. Not them. Never fucking them.

I blow through the house forcing more than a few sets of eyes on me but none of them approach. Only one is brave enough and assumes he knows how to handle me.