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My priorities were reset for me four years ago when the doctors told me I’d never play football again and I lost my chance for a college scholarship. In a blink, I went from a future as an NFL hopeful to one of a Bratva enforcer.
The priority hasn’t changed since then and nobody, especially Skyla St. James, will take my focus off what I need to do.
I grit my teeth.
What I need to do.
Four years ago, Val needed my help. She gave me one lousy job to do, and I fucked it up because I let Skyla creep under my skin. Lust and anger screwed with my head…bothof my heads, and I let my sister down.
I let my whole family down, not that any of them know it.
Things might be different if I’d done what I was supposed to… instead of doing Skyla.
But Skyla can help me fix what I broke years ago. And I won’t let anything stop me from destroying the people who hurt us… including her father and Nathan Van Dyne.
Power is the deadliest weapon you can use, and taking down our rivals will be the most lethal ammunition.
“I knew it was you.” Her shoulders shudder. “I could smell you.”
“I hope that’s not a bad thing.”
“My life ended today. Do you know that? I’m not dead, but I may as well be. All the secrets and lies that put me here tonight, in a fucking bra and panties, crushed my future. People who are getting married usually look forward to the rest of their lives together. I didn’t get that luxury. Instead, my life was bartered for money, and my future went up in smoke and flames when this ring was shoved onto my finger.” She slowly turns, her blue eyes red and puffy around the edges. “No wedding. But I still get the gift of misery ever after.”
Tears cling to her dark eyelashes, wedding makeup long gone after a full day of tears washed it away. Two gunshots behind me make her jump. She presses herself into my chest, resting her head against my shirt.
An engine roars. I twist around to see the truck skid on the side of the road before veering back onto the concrete. A body lies at Nik’s feet. Bright-red taillights disappear into traffic.
Skyla gasps and runs toward Nik. “That’s the driver.”
“The other asshole shot him and shoved him out the door before I could get close.” Nik nods at me, his eyes narrowed, accusation shooting from his gaze like a flaming spear. “You could’ve gotten to him. But you went after the runaway bride instead.”
He doesn’t bother to hide the criticism. Just lets it ooze from his words.
I don’t need to read between any lines, either. He left them out completely. Made it real simple for me to get his message.
Received, fucking loud and clear.
“You know why.” I clench and unclench my fists.
“Yeah. I do.” He turns back toward the guy on the ground. Sirens blare in the distance.
“Let’s grab what we can. The cops will be here soon. We can’t be seen nosing around the car, especially with Nogueres’s body so close to your house. They’ll haul us in for that alone.” I jog over to the dead guy and feel around in his pockets for a wallet or phone.
Nik digs around the center console. “Empty. Nothing here. I bet that fuckhead took everything before he shoved this poor bastard out of the truck.”
“He got away.” Skyla presses a hand to her forehead and sinks to the ground. “That means he’ll be back for me. He has a message to send and we’re it. Laney, Kylian, and me.”
“Don’t get comfortable.” I pull her up by her good arm. “The cops are on the way, so we need to be, too.”
Skyla looks up at me, a fierce glare in her blue eyes. “Didn’t you just hear what I said?” She jumps to her feet and stomps over to me before shoving me hard. “You know what? Fuck you, Zak. Fuck you, fuck your family, fuck my asshole father, fuck the Van Dynes, and fuck my life!”
Nik lets out a low whistle. “Listen, princess, if you’re gonna have a meltdown, do it in the back of my car. I’m not getting pinched because of your problems. I’ve got enough of my own to deal with.”
Skyla spins around, pointing at Nik. “Fuck you, too, Nik. I never liked you. I always thought you were a raging asshat.”
“Pretty accurate.” Nik shrugs. “It’s not like I haven’t been called worse. Now get in the fucking car, or you’re gonna end up like this sorry motherfucker.”
“Did you hear me?” she yells. “I just found out—”
