Page 82 of Wade’s Wrath

Harlow flinched as Princess ripped free of Martin's hold and kicked him in the kneecap. He went down swearing, and Princess immediately pointed her weapon at him. “Stay the fuck down.”

Richard looked from Frank to Harlow and something ugly twisted across his face. “You killed him.”

Harlow's hands started shaking. “He had a gun.”

“You killed him!” her father shouted again.

“He was going to shoot me,” she insisted. Richard stood, and for the first time in Harlow's life, her father looked at her with hatred—pure hatred.

“You ungrateful little bitch.” She recoiled, and Princess stepped closer to her.

“Careful,” Princess warned.

Richard ignored her. “Do you have any idea what you've done?”

Harlow stared at him, and then at Frank before looking back at her father. “Yes.” Her voice shook, but the words didn't. “I survived.”

Sirens sounded outside, and Richard's face changed. Princess smiled coldly. “Oh, that's gonna be a problem for you.”

Harlow could barely process it. “The police are here?”

“Sounds like it,” Princess said. Richard turned toward the back hallway, and Princess raised her gun. “Don't.”

He stopped. “You think police are going to believe her?” he asked.

“Yes,” Princess said.

“You have no idea who I am,” he spat.

“Oh, I know exactly who you are.” Red and blue lights flashed through the broken windows. Harlow's knees started shaking as she lowered the gun slightly.

Princess immediately spoke. “Put it on the floor.”

Harlow looked at her. “What?”

“Cops are coming in. Set it down,” she ordered. Right, of course. Harlow carefully placed the gun on the floor and stepped away. Princess did the same. Martin remained face down near the hallway, and Richard stood beside Frank.

The front door burst open. “Police! Hands where we can see them!” Harlow raised both hands and Princess did the same. Several officers flooded the clubhouse, and for one terrifying moment, everything became noise and Harlow couldn't understand any of it.

Then she heard a familiar voice. “Harlow!” Wade. She turned as he came through the doorway behind two officers. His face was dirty, and there was blood on his shirt, but he was standing and still alive.

“Wade,” she cried.

He started toward her, and an officer blocked him. “Stay back.”

“That's my woman,” Wade shouted. Harlow's breath caught. Normally, she might have argued over the wording, but not tonight. Wade looked ready to kill every person between them. “She's the victim here,” he snapped. “Get the fuck out of my way.”

“Wade.” Butcher appeared behind him. His cut was filthy, and one sleeve had blood on it. He looked exhausted, but he was alive. They were both alive. Harlow's legs nearly gave out, and Wade saw it.

“Harlow,” he shouted.

“I'm okay,” she lied. She felt anything but okay. His gaze moved over her and landed on her wrist. He looked around the room at the broken window, and then he saw Frank, and his expression became deadly.

“What happened?” he asked.

Harlow couldn't answer, so Princess did. “Frank pulled a gun.”

Wade looked at Frank's body and then back at Harlow. “She shot him?”