Page 24 of Unveil

“Oh, don’t act like you didn’t know what was in that last drink—” He’s cut off by Dash, lost in the fight as he kicks the guy’s ribs, cracking bone.

“Stay away from the Troisgarde daughters,” Dash grunts, fending off a right hook and slashing Bart’s thigh.

Hatch seizes the opening and drives an elbow into Bart’s chin. Dash spins to cover our brother, facing Rufus. My brothers and I are a well-oiled machine, and it’s never clearer than when we fight.

Rage and urgency war inside of me. I need to get to Luna, stop her from drinking whatever’s in that cup?—

A fiery slash burns up my side, and a fist slams my jaw, clacking my teeth into my cheek.

Stars flash. Iron floods my mouth as I meet Ozias’s eyes. His grim expression and bloody teeth mirror mine.

“You’ll only get her killed, Orion,” he seethes. “That’s what happens to the women in your family. Your aunt, your cousin… You couldn’t even protect your own mother. Why do you think you can protect your wife?”

A roar tears out of me as I drive a kick into his chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

Then I’m on him, punching hard enough to whip his head sideways with every blow, making him groan, “You son of a?—”

An engagement flyer flutters through the chaos, and I snatch it midair. Before I can stop myself, I rip Zy’s own knife from his hand, slap the invitation against his cheek and drive the blade through both.

His face seizes, stunned by the pain, but his body still thrashes, reaching for the weapon, until I pin him under my knees.

I lean over him as he fights me. “It’s sad it had to come to this, Zy. You should’ve left my girl alone.”

Rage enters his eyes, and I smirk, twisting the knife.

“So, consider this my and my wife’s ‘regrets.’”

Warm blood seeps through the paper like ink, soaking my fist around the hilt. His limbs go slack under me. His eyes roll back. Then he’s out cold.

I leave his knife in and wipe my hand on his dress shirt before climbing to my feet. My arm wraps around my torso as I suck in sips of air, but I still pivot to help my brothers.

Rufus is shit-talking now, both Wildes’ backs turned on their cousin.

“We either get the Troisgarde daughters or remove them as Furys. I’m partial to that feisty one. What’s her name? Brylie?” He laughs. “God, have you seen that ass? All I want to do is fuck it raw until she cries?—”

Dash snaps. I don’t see what happens with Bart in the way, but I hear it. The sickening slice. The thud onto brick. The death rattle as air leaves the lungs for the last time.

Everyone freezes.

“Goddammit,” Dash breathes. Bart shifts, revealing my brother as he jumps off Rufus, knife dripping blood.

Rufus’s eyes are wide and empty.

Lifeless.

“Well, shit,” Hatch mutters.

“What the fuck did you do?!” Bart screams, swinging wildly at Dash, but Hatch and I grab his arms.

Dash staggers back, tearing at his hair. “Fuck!”

“You killed my brother…” Bart scans for his backup, finding Ozias unconscious on the ground. “And mycousin? You’re dead. You hear me? Life…” His voice falters. “Life for life.”

“This already was life for life,” I counter harshly.

“No! No.Youdid this!” He wrenches free, crazed desperation in his eyes, his knife swinging frantically between us. “The Troisgarde daughters have been in danger from the moment we heard about the pact.” His eyes blaze. “Dead or alive, we don’t care. But we’llneverlet you have this alliance.”

“And you still think this wasn’t already about life for life?” I snap, taking one stride to yank a bolt I designed from my crossbow’s custom quiver and point it at him. “You Wildes think this is a goddamn game, but you’re killing our people, threatening ourwives. This feud isn’t a game.” I grab my bow from against the wall and use the stirrup to load it, but when I finish, I keep the weapon hanging at my side. “Why the fuck do you think we’d let that slide?”