Page 50 of Wrecked for Love (Buffaloberry Hill #1)

CLAIRE

Gideon Purcell. The Revenants’ leader. The man who had once ruled Cody’s life with a snake-like hold.

He looked almost exactly the same—the same piercing eyes, the same predatory smirk.

Only now, there was something more dangerous about him—a clarity in his gaze that told me he hadn’t forgotten a single thing.

I worked my throat, forcing the fear down as I straightened up and met his gaze, determined not to flinch.

“Wow, you really haven’t changed, have you?

Still rocking that jacket, huh?” I quirked an eyebrow, letting the sarcasm drip from my words.

“Just so you know, leather’s kinda passé these days.

And that logo? It’s ancient. You might want to think about rebranding. ”

He ignored me, brandishing his army knife—“Gladius,” as he liked to call it—a Roman short sword, apparently. He’d been to our house a few times to see Cody, but beyond the ominous jacket, that blade stood out in my memory.

“We’re more than just looks, Claire. You know that.” His eyes flickered down to my breasts, and a filthy smirk curled his lips. “Seems you’ve been keeping busy. I bet you’re the kind who looks to the future, but me, I’m not the type who believes in letting bygones be bygones.”

My brows cocked. “Good thing I’m not looking for your forgiveness then.”

“You owe me a hundred grand, Claire Magnussen.”

“I owe you nothing! It was Cody’s. And you, Gideon Purcell, you owe me Cody.”

“Ah…that foolish boy. Crawled to me like a stray, desperate for a scrap. And how glad I was to toss him a bone. First, my best mule, then I promoted him and turned him into one of my top dealers. You should’ve seen him—my men were jealous.

He had a talent for it. You can’t pin this on me, Claire.

He thrived. He loved every minute of it. ”

“Nobody loved a dirty job like that!” I spat, the heat in my voice rising. “You threatened him! You said you’d kill me if he didn’t?—”

“Threatened him?” he cut me off. “Oh, sweetheart, is that what Cody told you? I didn’t need to lift a finger. He did everything because he wanted to. Because he was desperate to make sure you didn’t die coughing your lungs out in some cheap hospital bed.”

I froze. I wanted to tear his lies apart, but my throat burned with the bile of doubt. “Cody was trying to save us both,” I said, the words carrying the burden of too many memories. “He only got involved with you because he didn’t see another way.”

“Is that what you think?” Gideon cocked his head, his smirk widening as if he’d caught me in a delusion.

“Oh, Claire…your brother didn’t care about playing the hero.

He liked it. The thrill, the money, the power.

You should’ve seen him at the height of it, strutting around like he owned the city.

I was just the one who opened the door.”

“You’re lying!” I shot back, my pulse racing. “Cody hated what he became. I saw it in his eyes every time he came back from one of your runs. You used him.”

Gideon’s face drooped into exaggerated sympathy.

“Oh, blame, blame, blame. You know what?” He shifted from foot to foot, tossing and spinning his knife in the air like a practiced juggler.

“I wonder how you sleep at night, knowing Cody did everything because he wanted to save your life. Or maybe because he couldn’t stand your coughing fits anymore! ”

I flinched as his laughter echoed around the room. “My brother had more honor than you or any of your men!” I fumed.

“Honor?” Gideon mocked, but then, almost as if humoring me, he shifted. “Maybe he had it…before you became his burden. He was a good kid. Ever heard the story? One of his friends tried to pull him into a carjacking crew. Your Cody was a talented mechanic, wasn’t he?”

I’d never heard this story before, but Cody had crossed paths with plenty of shady characters, even before The Revenants.

“He didn’t want anything to do with it, Claire. So yeah, maybe he had his honor then,” Gideon continued. “But you changed him. Sibling love—who knew it could be that strong? That’s why he lasted as long as he did.”

My head bowed. The “feisty” front Lucien Voss had once mocked me for was gone. Gideon wasn’t entirely wrong. I had been Cody’s downfall, and there was no undoing that.

The senselessness of it all pressed down on me.

But I couldn’t break. Not with a life growing inside me.

Raising a child under The Revenants’ reign was not a future I’d allow.

I had to find a way to free myself. It would take time, but for now, I’d play along with whatever conversation Gideon wanted to have.

“Pity he didn’t know when to cut his losses,” he carried on.

“Because you didn’t give him a choice!” I shot back.

“He should’ve known better. We’re no charity. We live by a code. You and your brother? You were thorns in our side—there, I’ll admit that. But stop trying to rewrite history, Claire. Cody made his choices. Just like you did.”

“And what choice did I have, huh?” My voice cracked, memories surging up like a flood.

“Watching him come home with bruises and blood on his hands, barely able to look me in the eye. That night at Brentwood…he wasn’t even supposed to be there.

I had to stay behind and watch him die. And if you think I wasn’t going to fight, well, you know how the rest turned out. ”

“You still speak loudly despite only surviving on one lung. But let’s be real, Claire. Your life is so tragic. Lost a lung, lost your brother. But hey, I still gave Cody the respect he earned. Buried him like one of my own, even though he died because he betrayed me.”

As if anything about Gideon Purcell’s “burial” could ever be called proper.

“Don’t act so righteous!” I growled, wishing I could erase that smug grin from his face. Or perhaps remove his mouth altogether.

“I didn’t give him a fancy headstone, if that’s what you’re whining about,” he sneered. “But tell me something. Ever wish you’d stopped him from working himself to the bone to pay for your surgery? Let yourself, I don’t know, die with a little grace?”

“I have,” I said bluntly.

He regarded me briefly before saying, “I did care about you, Claire. Or maybe I just pitied you. I’m not sure. But I remember thinking about you back then. Didn’t I send flowers when you were in the hospital? The only ones you got?”

“How thoughtful. But you’re not getting anything from me.”

“You know, Claire, I can make back the money you stole in a few days. The real issue? What you left behind has been giving me one hell of a headache. And I hate headaches.”

“Take a painkiller!” I spat out.

“Know what I hate even more?” He leaned in until his face was inches from mine. “Headaches caused by girls.”

I tutted. “Oh, I feel so special.”

“Don’t!” He crouched, his hand darting to cup my chin. I jerked away, but he caught me, squeezing hard. “Your suffering is my painkiller. Think about it. If you hadn’t pushed him to quit, Cody wouldn’t have turned on me. He wouldn’t be dead. You killed him, Claire!”

I twisted free, and this time, he let go, rising to pace in front of me. “And your brother wasn’t the only one. That fool vet? Took me a while, but I got him too. How’s that for your conscience?”

“My conscience isn’t your concern.”

He let out a cutting laugh. “Keeping that devil of a dog has been a nice bit of revenge. Watching it all come together, it’s almost sweet.”

Dog? Did I hear him say dog ?

He clapped, and suddenly, I heard barking from behind a closed door. It was like the dog had just been shaken awake. A moment later, one of his men appeared, dragged along by a snarling husky with its teeth bared.

Bobo…

But this wasn’t the same dog I remembered. His fur bristled like he was possessed.

“What did you do to him?” I struggled to break free, desperate to get to Bobo. Gideon gestured, and the guard let me go.

I stepped forward, my voice trembling. “Bobo…it’s me.” But his eyes didn’t show any recognition. Instead, he looked ready to tear me apart.

Gideon’s laughter echoed as I stumbled back. “Priceless!” he cried out, grinning. “Worth every bit of hassle to get that dog here, just to see the look on your face. Wouldn’t have had the same effect back in New York.”

My heart broke seeing Bobo so warped, so vicious.

“You’re a monster!” I lunged at Gideon, shoving him hard, but the guard pulled me back. I reminded myself I couldn’t afford to get hurt, so I stopped resisting.

“Everything and everyone can be trained, Claire. Just like you. A sweet little pet groomer turned into an assassin.”

“Sooner or later, this will all catch up with you!” I gritted. “And when that moment comes, I will train that dog to crave your blood!”

“Muzzle him!” Gideon ordered. “We don’t want the neighbors complaining.”

I steadied my breath. “I’m no use to you, Gideon. Let me go. I’ll disappear, not just from Montana but far enough that no one will ever hear about us again.”

“Oh, I’ve got plenty of use for you.”

“Release me, or you’ll be in deeper shit than you’ve ever imagined.”

Gideon continued playing with his knife, then raised his eyes to me.

“You’re the only shit I care about right now, and trust me, I’m not worried.

Don’t forget that you only bring death to those you love.

Let’s not make this any harder, Claire. If you try anything between here and New York, the next one to die will be your boyfriend. What’s his name? Elia?”

I fought to keep my reaction in check. Elia was still alive!

Keeping my relief hidden, I gave Gideon exactly what he expected, something that came naturally to me—defiance. “Don’t you dare lay a finger on him!”

Satisfied, he asked, “And what are you going to do?”

I met his gaze. “As you said, anyone can be trained.”

Gideon studied me like I was some sort of contestant on trial. “You’ll make a good whore. A lot of my clients will pay a high price for a cunt like yours. Watching you writhing in resistance? Damn, I’d charge extra for that.” He ran the tip of his knife along my chin.

Lucien Voss, who had so far been a spectator, finally stepped forward. “Speaking of money, I believe payment is due. I don’t care about whatever business you have with this lovely lady, but our services end here,” he stated firmly.

“Absolutely,” Gideon replied, motioning for his men to stay with me as he readied himself to negotiate with Lucien.

Lucien smirked at me. “A boy’s gotta have his fun, huh? Round two, Claire, with or without you. Has a ring to it, doesn’t it?” He winked and clicked his tongue before vanishing into the room with Gideon.

But instead of engaging in talks, gunshots rang out. Even without witnessing the scene, I knew. A single shot for Lucien Voss, succeeded by two more for his companions.

I had just made it to the living room when Gideon approached me. “Don’t you feel like you’re already back in New York?”