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“My mother paid him, asked him to make sure what happened to her couldn’t happen to me. I was the spawn of her very own devil, and Satan forbid, I’d ever carry my own.”
Donley glares, his lip beginning to curl.
“She knew we’d get to this point, and she wanted me useless to you, to make sure you could never have a true, blood born, Graven boy, because girls are of no use to you. But guess what, dear father,” she forces past clenched teeth. “She f—”
“Raven!” I boom, stepping forward and my brothers step with me.
Her mouth clamps shut, her eyes flying to mine.
No, baby.
The grey grows icy cold, her brows dropping so low her eyelids are hidden beneath them. Finally, she blinks, turning back to him.
“You’re a piece of shit,” she rasps. “And you’re leaving here with nothing. If you’d rather die, let your eyes touch my boys and your wish will be granted without so much as a second’s hesitation, I swear it. You’re done, Donley, and so is your name.”
Raven looks across the heads of the other families, all who stare at her, a little in awe, a little unsure and shocked, but one thing they show is respect.
Her eyes fly to Trick Rivera when he stands, walking toward her with Alec at his back. “Get him out of here,” he says over his shoulder.
Both Alec and Bishop pull Donley to his feet, not letting up when he jerks in their holds.
He yells, argues back, but he’s ignored, his voice cutting off completely once they’ve shoved him in the cellar room, closing the door behind him.
Trick nods his head and holds his arm out for Raven to take, but her head snaps toward me before she moves a muscle.
Fuck me if it doesn’t settle my fucking soul.
I dip my chin, so she slips her hand through the bend of his elbow, letting him guide her to the fifth and final chair in the room.
Raven takes a deep breath, eyeing the seat with contempt.
“Mr. Hacienda,” she calls, slowly facing the others.
My eyes meet my dad’s a moment.
Romero Hacienda’s eyes narrow and he sits forward in his seat.
“Do you represent your family or your town?”
He glares. “We are one in the same, do not question me.”
She ignores him. “And the rest of you, you’d all say the same, yeah?”
They study her, but don’t speak.
Raven’s bloody hand trails over the empty seat, and she slowly steps around it. Standing behind, where the seconds in command stand.
She looks to Alec, back in his place at the end, behind Trick’s chair, Trick who is still standing. She meets his eyes. “Do you trust Alec with your life?”
“My family’s, my town’s,” he answers instantly.
“Would you give him your seat today?”
“Without thought.”
She nods, looking to the others, all who nod in agreement.
Her eyes fly to Bass who jerks his chin moving to the security at the edge of the room.
They disappear down the hall.
Raven licks her lips, dropping her palms on the edge of the chair, and her eyes fly to mine.
Mine tighten, but hers never waver. They stay just as strong, just as clear and sure.
My feet carry me to her.
“Sit,” she demands in a whisper.
My head starts to pull away, to look to my brothers, to Captain who gave it all for her, but her eyes slim.
Trust her.
Everyone looks when Bass returns with several guards, all carrying a chair if not two in their hands.
They place one between each of the others, laying a few extras near the edges, creating a large U-shape before returning to their posts.
Raven looks to the men behind their guides, to Alec, and once they get the approval of their leaders, they move, taking the seats laid out for them.
Her eyes find my brothers, softening. “Sit,” she whispers.
Captain and Royce are slow in their steps, stopping right beside me.
Our minds work the same, our thoughts matching.
It’s Captain who steps closer, reaching for her hand.
Steadily she gives it to him, allowing him to lead her around the front.
“We will,” he whispers. “But not today. Sit.”
Her lips press together to fight her smile.
She sits, leans back and crosses her legs. “You have one man you trust with your worlds, I have three. This chair belongs to Brayshaw.” Her eyes meet my dad’s a moment before moving back to the others. “And anyone we should trust to sit in it.”
Raven looks to Victoria, who gives a small smile, but takes a step back, letting her know she’s not ready should Raven believe she is. Our dad shifts to stand beside her.
“Rolland.” The Greyson leader eyes him.
“I was once what was right for this town, but times have changed. Should I even deserve a seat, I won’t be taking it,” he admits, his chest rising with his decision.
“So, it’s settled.” Hacienda claps, sitting back. “The council is full.” He looks to Raven. “Welcome home, Mrs. Brayshaw,” he says and my gut clenches.
