“You won’t get them. They’re probably finding Lucas in his car,” Riven growls. “I’ve been in town since last night taking care of every motherfucker who even has the smallest hand in this whole thing. Dad though? And the fucker you were going to give her to? They’re last, and it’s going to fucking hurt.”

I see the look of alarm on their faces.

“Lucas? My Lucas?” Our mother gasps, and Riven rolls his eyes because what other Lucas would he be talking about? He grabs the closest dressing room door, yanks it open, and shoves Belinda inside, slamming it behind her and pulling it so hard that it jams. He turns toward our mother. She doesn’t move, but I see the way her breath quickens, and her eyes dart between the exit and the man in front of her.

“It’s your fault I gutted your little golden boy like the spineless fish he is,” Riven says. “He begged for his life and I hope you think about that with the little time you have left.”

“You’re unstable,” she hisses. “She needs someone normal. Someone safe.”

Riven lifts his shirt just enough to show the gun tucked into his waistband. “She’s the safest she’ll ever be with me. I’ve killed for her and I would die for her.”

She blanches. But her spine stiffens in defiance. “After everything we did for you⁠—”

“All of your children are expendable,” I say, stepping out from behind Riven, trying to keep my voice steady. “We all had uses. We just didn’t find out until it was too late.”

Her mouth opens.

But then her eyes drop to my hand where I still have the ring on. I’m dying to get rid of it, but my finger is cut from my father holding me down while my brother jammed it back on my finger this morning. Riven’s already on edge and I honestly just want to get the hell out of this town without any more hold ups.

“Give me the ring, Lakynn. If he’s going to take you, at least give me the ring.” I give her a puzzled look,because she can’t be serious. I don’t get a chance to respond because Riven is shoving her toward another dressing room next to where Belinda has been trapped.

Riven smirks. “Inside.”

Our mother looks like she might cry and I don’t have any sympathy for her. I believe Riven when he says he killed Lucas and Matthew is next. Actually, I think there were probably more casualties along the way that he left out. I feel nothing but relief.