Wicked chuckles, leaning back against the fridge and crossing his ankles. He’s still shirtless, with nothing but a clean set of sweatpants. I’m guessing Royce or Khaos brought them for him.

“Fuck,” Val sneers, entering the kitchen further. “I’m sorry, Ruby. I don’t think he’s going to let you out of it. Even with your father back, we still need that bridge of peace between the two families, or we both risk a war that either side could possibly lose.”

I hold my hand up, stopping him from talking as I turn back to the coffee machine, pull down a mug, and pour the dark java into it. Leaning against the counter, I inhale, exhale, and take a sip. I feel my muscles unknot as the caffeine hits my blood. “I know. He has just made that very clear.” I refuse to look at Wicked when I answer, keeping my eyes on Val. “I need you to take me to where they’re meeting.”

“I can’t, Rubs. I have strict orders to keep you here, and since he’s home now—”

My eyes close and I take another large gulp, this time burning the hairs on the back of my throat. “I get it.”

Val steps closer to me, but a safe distance away. I feel the energy in the room shift the closer he gets. “I’m sorry about your mama.”

“Yeah.” I blink up at him. “Me too.”

Chapter Twenty-One

The night was dark, and I ran through the clearing of the forest, running and running until my legs couldn’t fucking run anymore. Through the splitting of the trees ahead, I could see it. The white, abandoned building. Abandoned, at least from what people knew. Flickering of lights forged on through some of the windows, and I stepped forward, squinting to see up ahead.

He stood there with a dark robe and blood-red tie around his waist. I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel the anger pulse through my veins the closer I got to him. There was a city car parked at the front, tinted windows and headlights beaming. Skully removed the hoodie from his head and leaned into the car.

The back doors swung open, and I watched as he carried a girl’s body out, cradling it in his arms.

I fell backward slightly, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

A hand came to my back, shoving me forward. “You’re not going anywhere.”

I spun around, coming face-to-face with Jordan, one of the other members. “She looks young.”

“She is young,” Jordan answered, stepping to the side and moving the branch out of the way. I was fine exercising out on my own, but as per usual, Jordan liked to ride my dick about everything. We all knew it was jealousy. “She’s also different. I feel like to Skully, this one is different.”