Page 48 of Devour

Kase holds his hands up. “Jesus, relax. I wouldn’t dream of defiling your girl.”

“Is that so?” Crew asks, giving Kase an odd smirk like he knows something we don’t.

I trust all three of them with Saylor, but it doesn’t hurt to remind them that I will act first and ask questions later when it comes to protecting what’s mine.

I open my mouth to ask Crew what he means, but the door opens and Dane walks in, followed by all three of his sons—Fox, Tate, and Thorne. Fox is holding a small stack of envelopes. The talking stops. Everyone in this room respects the Sinclairs and knows that when they call a meeting with the higher-level Talons, it’s for a reason, and one that usually means a lot of work for us.

None of the Sinclairs sit. Thorne presses a button on his phone, and we all know that he just killed all cell phone signals. It’s the usual protocol for these kinds of meetings.

Dane stands at the front of the room with his sons spread out behind him. They scan the room, staring each of us down. Everyone in the room is a year four or five Talon.

“All of you have proved yourself for another year. Seven of you have your Doves now. And the rest of you had better remember the rules and not get tempted by the new women moving about the mansion. You know what happens if you break the fucking rules.”

The Ravens don’t bend on their rules. Every man in this room has seen what happens when someone tries. You either prove your loyalty, or you’re taken out. The penalty is death. It’s as simple as that.

“One more thing.” Dane’s voice drops, and his eyes move across the room. “You notice I said seven of you when we had eight that should have come away with a Dove last night.”

Fuck. I should have told Dane about Daniel. I technically didn’t do anything wrong in killing him to claim my girl. We’re allowed to fight to the death, if necessary. But they would have preferred that I’d injured or maimed him instead of killing him. But the bastard is lucky he’s dead. I’d have tortured him for months while he pissed himself and begged for fucking death.

“Daniel’s body was found in the woods last night after he never claimed a Dove. Somebody in this room had better tell me what fucking happened.”

I push off the wall and step before him. “I killed him.”

Every head in the room turns. Justin’s arms unfold. Dane’s expression doesn’t change.

“He had the Dove I wanted pinned to a tree with her dress ripped.” I hold Dane’s stare. “I kicked the shit out of him and snapped his neck, then claimed my Dove, as you all saw.”

The room is dead silent. Fox glances at Thorne, and Tate just grins at me, nodding his approval.

Dane holds my stare for a long time. “Did you have to fucking kill him?”

“He shouldn’t have touched my girl. Let that be a lesson to every man in this room.” I’ll take every fucking one of them out.

Justin huffs. “Like you’re any better for her.”

“I really fucking like this guy,” Tate says, nudging Thorne. Everyone ignores Justin’s little remark.

“Dad, leave Axl alone,” Fox says, patting Dane on the back. “It’s tradition that they can fight to the death. If Daniel couldn’t defend himself, that’s on his pathetic ass.”

Dane shoots Fox a look that would put most men on the floor. Fox doesn’t flinch. Thorne laughs behind them.

“I’m not arguing tradition.” Dane turns back to me. “I’m arguing the lack of fucking communication. You killed a fellow Talon, and I found out from a cleanup crew instead of from you. That doesn’t fucking happen again.”

“It won’t, sir.”

“It better fucking not.” He holds my stare for another couple seconds, then he lets it go. He turns to the room. “We’re going to give each of you an assignment. You’re going to observe the people we give you, and you’re going to report your findings directly to me. Only me. And you’re not going to involve yourself otherwise. Am I clear?”

There are nods and agreement from every person in the room. Fox passes out the envelopes to everyone else in the room. I can’t help but notice that Priest, Crew, Kase, and myself weren’t given an envelope.

“You’ll work in pairs,” Dane continues as Fox joins him back at his side. “You are not to discuss your assignments with anyone but who you’re paired with. I want updates immediately, so get to work.”

The men start to leave the room as Dane catches our attention. “You four. Stay back. We need to speak with you.”

Justin looks between Dane and us, scowling. But he knows that there’s nothing he can do. He’d be an even bigger idiot than I realized if he challenges Dane Sinclair. But I’d love to watch Dane put that fucker in his place.

“Shut the door behind you, Justin,” Dane calls out to him.

Dane waits until the footsteps fade down the hall before he speaks. “The folder Tate gave you.” Dane looks at each of us. “Did you read it?”