Page 77 of Pucked Around and Found Out

We all know what happens if Xaden finds out.

Blood. Violence. Death.

“He tries to harm him and I’ll be forced to become the person I swore to Tate I never would be again.” Alex’s statement sends ice flowing through my veins. I've heard the stories of the Butcher and what he is capable of.

“The rink,” I say suddenly, my voice strengthening with urgency. “Xaden wants me to meet him at the rink at five a.m. tomorrow. He wants all the intel I have on everyone—the Kings, the Filthy Few, you guys.”

“Why?” Alex asks, his eyes narrowing.

“Because he knows someone's been feeding Fiona information. He thinks the answer is in the files I have.” I swallow hard. “And if I show up with those files... if he sees Cas's name anywhere…”

“Then we don't give him the files,” Carnage says firmly.

“I have to,” I counter. “If I don't, he'll know I'm hiding something. He already suspects I am.”

The room falls silent as everyone processes this.

“He already knows!” Alex bellows, drawing everyone’s attention to him. “She was the distraction.” He flicks his gaze to me and keeps it there as he continues. “The smug little fuck knew.”

“Knew what?” I press.

Something akin to pride flashes across his face. “His men would have known he would be distracted by you. He chose the men he knew for sure weren’t the rat to watch the others. He used you as a distraction, knowing that whoever the rat was had a chance to get out tonight without being noticed.”

“He’s gonna know when his man doesn’t report,” Carn says. “I dumped the body but he’ll figure it out soon.”

I look at Carnage, then at Alex, then at each person in this room—people who have become my family despite everything.

“I have to lie,” I say quietly. “We give Xaden enough truth to satisfy him, but we keep Cas's name out of it. We protect him.” What I don’t say is keeping Cas alive means Alex won’t go after Xaden.

“And if Xaden finds out you lied?” Vatican asks.

I meet his gaze without flinching. “Then he finds out.”

“He'll kill you,” Harper whispers, horror written across her face.

“Maybe,” I acknowledge. “But I'm not letting him kill Cas. Not when I can prevent it.”

Carnage steps forward, closing the distance between us. “Tor⁠—”

“Don't.” I hold up a hand, stopping him. “Don't try to talk me out of this. Cas doesn't deserve to die for being blackmailed. And I…” My voice breaks. “I owe him this. For what he did for me.”

For being Xaden's friend when Xaden had no one else.

For loving his best friend enough to want to protect him, even if he went about it the wrong way.

“This is suicide,” Pope says bluntly.

“Then I guess I'm suicidal,” I shoot back.

Carnage's hand cups my face, forcing me to look at him. “You're not doing this alone.”

“Carn—”

“I'm going with you tomorrow. To the rink. You're not facing him alone.”

“He'll know something's up if you're there,” I argue.

“I don't give a fuck what the prick knows.” Carnage's voice is steel wrapped in silk. “You're not walking into the lion's den without backup.”