I snort, almost breaking the silence.
Karter laughs. “An alpha-hole? That a thing now?”
“Yeah, so?” she snaps back, bratty and smug.
God, I canseeher, hand on hip, head tilted, too damn pretty when she’s pissed off.
“You are such a fucking brat,” Karter says, and the next sound is skin against skin, the rhythm of bare feet and her giggle echoing off the walls.
Then, “Karter! Put me down!”
And him, voice low, dark with fondness. “Not a chance. I live for that laugh.”
It’s like knives to my chest.
I back away before I hear more. I can already feel the crack forming in my ribs. The temptation to storm in and relive the bloodbath from earlier is too strong.
I head to my room.
I toss the box of journals onto my bed like it’s full of bones.
Whatever’s in there, it belongs to her now.
But I can’t stay in this house. Not tonight. Not withthembeneath the same roof.
I pull out my phone and fire off a message to a different thread. TheotherDevils. The ones who don’t ask questions, only move when it’s time to destroy.
Tonight, I don’t want a fight.
I want a fucking war.
Wyck: Who’s coming out tonight?
Gage: I’m in. Need to blow off some steam.
Dash: Wouldn’t miss it.
Onyx: Me three. Already dressed like a problem.
Wells:...
Cairo: I have 3 exams this week ??
Fred: Can I come? ??
Wells: Who the actual fuck added her to this chat?
Fred: Why don’t you come say that to my face, baby?
Wells: ????
Fred: WELLS I WAS KIDDING. Do NOT come in here, Wyck come get your psycho!! ??
Wyck: Wells. Not tonight. Everyone else, be here by 9. Don’t make me come find you.
I toss my phone onto the bed, the screen still glowing with unread tension, and drag the box closer. It’s heavier than it looks, like the weight of it already knows it’s holding something I shouldn’t be touching.
One violent flip and the contents spill out.
