Page 34 of Haven

“Well, I take high blood pressure medicine because my body hates me, my sleep is ass, and someone did try to load my body full of silver bullets like I was a werewolf," I joked. “I promise, mon cheri, I am okay.”

With how hard Widow tackled me, Cinder and Widow were both paranoid that I was hurt. Except the only thing bruised was my pride, because I froze like a deer in headlights. I had a few scrapes on my arms, but it wasn’t anything peroxide and a Band-Aid couldn’t fix.

“If you’re sure, I’ll let Cinder know.”

“Thank you. Did you check Cinder to make sure her head didn’t explode?”

A smile barely tugged the corner of her mouth. “I know it feels like she’s hoverin’, but she has a lot goin’ on with the club and attacks.”

“There was more than one?”

“Cinder doesn’t share everythin’, sugar. She wants you safe and she does everythin’ in her power to make sure of it.”

I wished she would focus on the club instead of me.

Twenty-Eight

Widow

The Jeep that fired at Rory vanished and Fang lost its tracks. Fang was one of our best when it came to tracking down a runner, but if she lost them, then they were gone. She did get a Crestview tag, but that was the only thing we had. It felt too easy. The two territories knew of the feud and Cinder’s rules. Everyone knew what would happen if we caught a Devil on Viper property, or vice versa.

When I arrived back at the clubhouse, Rory was laying down. Cher said she was fine, which took some weight off my shoulders. The moment I saw the gun, I raced for her as the bullets started flying. I tackled her harder than I intended to, but she was close to being hit. It was pure luck and shit aim that saved her life.

This was now our priority, and we had barely a lead to follow. A dark Jeep, Crestview tag, and several parabellum bullets lodged into the clubhouse. Rory was targeted. The bullets were meant for her. I knew Cinder’s fears, but this was the first time they’d become relevant. Someone wanted to send a message.

Parker was going through hours of camera footage on their computer, trying to see where the Jeep went, if the person got out anywhere or if they could see the tag, but the tag was useless. Cinder was cynical. I knew it would lead to more protection for Rory, and I knew Rory wouldn’t like it.

I would find the person who did this, and I would load them with bullets like they tried with her. “Do we have anything?” I asked Parker.

They shook their head, slamming their laptop shut. “Nothing. This person is smart, and they knew where the cameras were. Even the few we put up ourselves.”

Melisa didn’t know where we hid those cameras. Cinder wanted extra security where the city couldn’t touch it, and we hid four cameras: the dock, main square, the main highway, and the park. The Vipers were the only people who knew the location, and it worked in our favor.

Speak of the devil, and she shall appear. Melisa ran into the clubhouse, immediately running towards Cinder. “I heard what happened. Is everyone okay? Rory?”

“We’re okay. We just don’t know who did it.”

I watched the two of them closely. Cinder didn’t want people to know, but she was doing a horrible job at keeping things hidden. Cinder had a savior complex and didn’t want the people she cared for getting hurt.

“What do you need from me?” Melisa asked. “Are you sure you're okay?”

My eyes went to their hands where they were sneaking little touches, thinking no one was paying attention. No one else was, but I had nothing else to focus on. “Someone tried to kill my sister. I’m trying not to kill someone.”

“Do you need…” she trailed off when the door opened and she pulled back from Cinder. “I’ll do what I can to help. I take it Parker is lookin’ at the footage.”

“Parker looked at everything we had and Fang followed the car,” I said. “The attack was planned. They wanted to either hurt Rory or send a message.”

Twenty-Nine

Rory

My sister was paranoid and scouring the territory line to find an excuse to seek out Axel and kill him. The footage from the clubhouse showed a Crestview tag, but until we had proof Axel ordered the attack, she couldn’t hit him back. Cinder believed in an eye-for-an-eye, and if she went after Hades, I needed to stop her. One thing about Cinder, though; she didn’t hurt innocent people. She would use Hades as a decoy to lure Axel out, and then kill Axel.

Fuck.

I was in the middle of a war I didn’t want to be in, but technically a war wasn’t started. Cinder knew how to control her people, but it seemed Axel couldn’t control his. I didn’t want to be a casualty in a feud I didn’t care for when I had a woman on enemy lines.

My phone chimed, and I smiled seeing Hades’s name.