Page 108 of Wonder

Alyss’s eyes gleam. “Queen. Appropriate, don’t you think? The Queen of Hearts. Feel free to curtsey while you’re thinking of something to say.”

Chess hands her a drink. Alyss holds it loosely in her hands, surveying Red.

Red doesn’t say anything at all. A dull flush crawls over her collarbones. It deepens as Alyss looks past her, to the silent two gang leaders watching. “Jenson. Keenan.”

They both murmur a greeting. Gryphon’s face darkens.

“Oh,” Alyss murmurs slowly. “And then there’s you, Gryphon. One of my men would like to have a little word with you. And so would I. What thefuckdid you just say about my brother?”

He goes for his gun.

I lunge, but Alyss is faster. She pulls out her own, pressing it against his forehead. “Put your fucking hands up.”

Slowly, Gryphon’s hands raise. “Just business. Something you’d appreciate if you were a true leader.”

I glance down. Red’s hand is inching toward the button hidden in her throne, the emergency button.

She tries to rip her hand away when I tangle it in mine. I squeeze it until she winces. Her eyes land on the guards, mouth opening—

“I wouldn’t,” Alyss says pleasantly. “Your other guards are dead. If you want to live, gentlemen, I suggest you leave now. Your employment has been terminated, effective immediately.”

The screams.

“How dare you,” Red snaps. “My men—,”

“Are dead.” Buck whistles as he steps into the room. He pauses in front of Alyss, dropping into a flourishing bow. “My queen.”

He flips the knife in his hands once, twice. It still has blood on it.

The guards around us glance at each other. And then they rush for the exit.

Chess rolls his eyes, but a smile still pulls at his mouth. A savage, expectant smile. A smile that spells danger for Red.

She sees it, too. Her skin pales, eyes blinking rapidly as she stands. Alyss nods to Chess, and he pulls out his own gun, keeping Gryphon pinned in place.

She holds out her hand to the other two as I move to intercept Red. She shoves at my chest. “Let me go.”

“I don’t think so,” my voice is soft. “This is your moment of reckoning, Red.”

She stares at me as if genuinely hurt, even as Alyss speaks to the gang leaders behind us. “Many thanks for your help, both. I look forward to asuccessfulworking relationship.”

I turn, holding Red’s arm. Just in time to see one – Jenson – smile. There’s an invitation there, his eyes sweeping over Alyss with appreciation. “Anytime.”

“Apologies,” Buck cuts in. “But we have no vacancies at the moment.”

After a moment, Jenson laughs. “Fair enough. Can’t blame a man for trying.”

He ducks out, followed by Keenan. Neither of them look back at Red.

Gryphon almost vibrates with fury. “You backstabbingcunt—,”

Chess whips Gryphon across the face, his skin opening up in a scarlet line as he stumbles back. “Talk about my Queen like that again, and I’ll cut out your tongue.”

The twins slide in behind Buck as the two gang leaders slip out. Kayden nods to Alyss. “It’s done. We’ve cleared house.”

“The patrons?” Alyss is watching Red.

“Evacuated. Emergency situation. Toxic gas leak.”