Page 76 of Burning Truths

“Foolish boys.” She spits. “We have a legacy to preserve yet here you are sleeping with the product. How do you think we managed to gather such power in this town?” She raises a brow.

Leaning around Ryker my eyes connect with her cold ones. “My mother was born and raised here. The Kingston name holds more than just wealth.” I toss out.

Waiving a finger she laughs, “Oh no darling. Your mother was a pawn in a pretty dress with a beautiful face. I was contracted to marry your father but she swept in like a fucking viper stealing the name I was promised. Instead your fathers family chose her and when he took HER name, erasing his completely I knew it was about more than just power. He loved her.”

My ribs ache from the heavy breath I drag through clenched teeth. My hand reaches out for Ryker grabbing his arm to hold myself up.

“You killed her.” It’s not a question.

She lets out a humm, “She isn’t the only one.” She admits.

She looks at me sheepishly, a soft smile crossing her features, almost comforting in a wicked way. “Any minute now and you’ll finally be an orphan but don’t worry dear. I have plans for you.” She claps with a tinkling laugh.

By the time it dawns on me G is rushing down the hall with his phone to his ear. When his eyes meet mine I’m thrown into action. Spinning away from the Stone family I break out into a run towards the exit of the mansion leaving Ryker facing down his mother. It’s not until I’m yanking at a locked door handle that I realize the keys aren’t with me. A click has me spinning on my heels with panicked eyes.

“Cole.” I choke out.

Without a word he ushers me to the passenger side opening the door to help me inside. Shutting the door my nails start to dig into my fingertips pulling at the skin waiting for him to start up the car. Jumping in Cole starts the engine and jerks it into drive rolling down the driveway at an ungodly speed.

“Breathe, Princess.” He says.

Chapter Thirty-Six

RYKER

Kenna and Cole rush from the house headed to the only remaining parent she has left while I face down with mine. Charging forward, my hands stretch out, moving to grab my own mother when a glint of metal shines in the light of the den.

“Don't,” she says.

Pausing, I can feel G tense behind me looking towards the open door looking for someone. I can hear footsteps coming from the back of the house knowing West can’t be far behind. Ally is frozen in fear to my right where she’s visibly shaking in place. Looking over my shoulder at G I signal for him to pull her out of the room when the gun is shifted towards him.

Licking her red lips, “I’ve been meaning to take out the trash.” She says. “My sons have given you too much power and in doing so the dogs you feed start to look at the boy as a master.”

“Observant are we?” I pry, trying to take the focus off my best friend.

“If I’m not, you three would ruin everything our family has built. Allowing a foot soldier to have more control than you is exactly the reason I have to come in and clean up your messes.” She waves her hand around the gun swaying with it.

West sneaks in behind Ally pulling her into his chest as our mothers eyes fall on him.

“If it isn’t the whore himself.” She sneers.

West blows her a kiss, distracting her while he pushes Ally to the side, out of her line of sight.

“I learned from the best.” He quips with a dry laugh.

Swinging the gun to his face my entire world slows with the sound of the trigger being pulled. My body leaves my mind behind taking action on its own lunging for my mother. We both slam into the tile floor. Her head smacks against the floor knocking her out instantly. Rolling off her limp body my ears ring from the sudden shot fired. West.

“G!” I yell.

“Already on the phone. Hold on man, hold pressure. Look at me Wes.” Gio urges, using his name for my middle brother.

Crawling on my knees to West where G is pressing his hands into his upper shoulder, crimson liquid pours from a bullet wound. Faded brown eyes look at mine with horror.

“Ally.” He croaks.

Looking away from him I see Ally laying across the floor to our left spread out on her stomach.

“It’s okay, everything's okay.” I reassure her with my hand on her back. Rolling her over my face falls at the blood pooled beneath her.