Page 53 of Twisted Truths

Dalton bristles at my dig, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “You think Paul was a saint? He?—”

“Don’t.” My voice is steel. “Don’t you dare talk about him.Paul was there. He loved her. You? You acted like she was a mistake you didn’t know what to do with.”

His posture shifts, a threatening edge creeping into the way he looms in front of us, jaw clenched and eyes dark.

I square my shoulders, not willing to back down.

Movement catches the corner of my eye.

Rowan steps in like a storm, his two brothers flanking him, arms crossed and expressions unreadable.

His voice is calm, but lethal. “You need to leave. Now.”

Dalton sizes him up, but he’s not stupid. Even his narcissism can’t override the danger in Rowan’s voice.

“I’m not finished here,” he mutters.

Rowan takes a step closer. “Yeah, you are.”

One of the bikers flanking Rowan cracks his knuckles. The other smiles like he hopes Dalton tries something.

Dalton’s fiery glare flickers between fury and defeat before he finally backs away. “This isn’t over.”

“Yes,” Levi says, standing tall beside me. “It is.”

We watch as our father turns and walks away, not bothering to look back.

“You good?” Rowan arches a brow.

I nod. “Thanks again, man.”

“Don’t mention it. You want us to follow you in case he didn’t get the hint?”

I shake my head. Dalton wasn’t here to say goodbye to his daughter; he was here to cause trouble. Our father hasn’t changed, and he never will. He’s the same narcissistic bastard he was when we were growing up.

“No worries. We’ll see you in a little bit.” He nods at his men, and they walk back to where Sadie is still standing by their bikes.

Paige throws herself into Levi’s embrace, and I search forHadley near the entrance to the church, but she’s gone. My stomach sinks.

A voice clears his throat behind us, and I turn to find George standing there awkwardly. “Are you boys ready?”

Levi catches my eye over Paige’s head and gives me a tight smile.

I cast one last look around for Hadley, but it seems she’s slipped through my fingers again. Releasing a heavy sigh, I shrug. “Not really, but I guess I don’t have much of a choice.”

Chapter Nineteen

HADLEY

Iquietly slipped away from the church while Nash argued with his father. Now, I’m lost in thought as Gabriel drives us back to the Circle. My head rests against the cool glass of the window, my thumb drifting absentmindedly across my bottom lip. I can’t make sense of the pull I feel towards Nash. It’s reckless and dangerous. We’re wrong for each other in every way, but when I’m wrapped in his strong embrace, his lips pressed to mine, I forget why.

Nash’s hatred for Gabriel and the Sunfire Circle runs deep. It’s raw. Carved from grief. I get it. How could I not, when his whole world was shattered by murders he believes the Circle caused?

I’m starting to wonder if he’s onto something. Not that Gabriel’s involved. I honestly believe he wanted to help Zara when he brought her into the Circle and pretended to be Franklin’s father. But with his cryptic hints about nefarious things happening within the commune walls, and him taking me as his Chosen for my protection, there are definitely reasonsto be wary.

I think Nash believed me when I told him Gabriel was not his villain, but belief doesn’t erase pain, and it doesn’t change the fact I’ve tied myself to Gabriel. While he made the decision for my safety, it doesn’t change what it means. I’m Gabriel’s Chosen. Yet, I kissed someone else.

A low flicker of guilt churns in my stomach.