Page 4 of Desperate Victory

Horror drifted into Tally’s face.

That horror offered me the smallest measure of comfort.

“She’s twelve—thirteen. She’s still a kid.”

“He doesn’t care. How old do you think Adam and Ezra were? How old do you think your brother was?”

I knew who they all were now. Adam and Ezra had given me every name. Not all of them were influential, but he had his hands into every family.

“So maybe you should ask yourself who you think you are sleeping with and what he wants from you…”

“Lainey, I promise you. I didn’t know.”

“I believe you,” I said. “But I can’t trust you right now, Tally. I don’t know that I can again. King made moves against Milo, against Andrea… against so many.” He was involved in that damn arranged marriage too. “Whether you realized what you were telling him or not, you are in bed with the enemy.”

That was what I’d come to say as much to get the last bit of proof and to give her that warning. I owed her that much.

“What can I do?” She grasped at my arm, the horror in her eyes a real misery. “Please tell me what I can do. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry…”

“Get away from him. Get out of that relationship. Walk away and protect yourself.” I didn’t have the resources to protect her right now. “I mean that, protect yourself. You can’t stay with him. If you decide you are going to… then understand when I come for him, I will burn down everything standing between me and that goal.”

If she betrayed this, then my warning to King would be delivered. If she didn’t, if she escaped… then at least she might be safe. Either way, it was a calculated gamble. I really hoped she left him.

Tugging my hand from her grasp, I slid my sunglasses back on and pivoted. I had nothing else to say. No other words to push past the crushing weight in my chest. I was walking away from one of my oldest friends because her choices endangered everyone else I loved.

Karagiani swept aside as I approached and I didn’t look back as I strode down the hallway. I hated leaving Tally behind, but I couldn’t save her from this. I’d warned her. It was on her to save herself.

I had to save my sister and protect my lovers.

Chapter

Two

MILO

Ivy opened the hotel room door before I could even lift a hand to knock. “Before you yell at me,” she said, pulling the door wide as she held up her phone. “Rome and Liam told me you were on the way up to get me.”

I frowned. “You’re here alone?”

“Yes,” she said, waving me in. “Mickey had to go back to Braxton Harbor for the week. He’ll be with us before we need to leave. Jasper and Kel are holding down the fort there, though depending on our plans, that may change.”

“Freddie and Vaughn went to get supplies, and Bodhi is downstairs waiting for you.”

“You really are a brat,” I muttered because her grin had just gotten wider and wider.

“I know, but you love me.” She gave me a hug. “And I promised the guys I would go with you back to Bodhi’s place since we can’t go to Lainey’s.”

Hugging her tight, I closed my eyes. I loved the warmth and happiness that radiated off of her. Each and every time I thought about the absolute tragedy of her life, I wanted to beat the shit out of every single person who should have protected her.

Two of them were dead. The third—well, she had her own issues and if Ivy could find a way to forgive her, then I would leave it alone. As for the fourth and final one? Well, we would be dealing with him sooner rather than later.

All accounts were due.

“Where are the terrible twins off to?”

“I don’t know,” she said as she retreated a step to grab her jacket and tug it on. I should have recognized the setup for what it was. She was dressed in jeans, a loose tunic kind of shirt and boots. She was ready to head out and the guys weren’t here.

No way in hell would I leave her here on her own, period. Particularly not now when everything was in flux. I was going to throttle them. Then again, the twins had been downstairs waiting for me to get here. Yeah, this was definitely a setup.