Page 130 of Queen of Diamonds

The cop’s eyebrows rose as he considered me, and I sensed the tension diffuse just a little. “Scent match?”

“Yes, sir.”

He glanced back down at the papers before flashing the light back into my passenger seat. “That the gift?”

I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral.

“What’s a good enough gift to make it up to a scent match?” he asked.

“Uh…” I glanced at the plastic bag, blood roaring in my ears. My trophies were in a box, which made the package look bulkier. That was good, because I’d be getting more than a ticket if he looked to see what was really in that bag. “Box of chocolates and pack tickets to a Swift concert.” I almost winced at the stupidity of the lie.

“She’s a Swiftie?” The cop chuckled. “Same as my daughter. Easy way to their heart—and those aren’t easy to come by.”

I shook my head.

“I’ll let you off tonight, but take it slow on the way home.”

I nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

He handed me back the paperwork and took a step back. Thank fuck.

My chest loosened, until he paused, glancing back at me. “Where did you get the tickets?”

“Dodgy marketplace meetup. Why I’m out so late.”

He snorted, tucking his flashlight away. “Well. Load them into those apps they have before you give them to her. Never know if it’s a dud.”

I nodded and found a weak apology.

I’d never been more on edge as I drove (really fucking slowly) back to the safe house. Or mansion. Or whatever it was that the Forbes family had set up for us. I couldn’t afford to get a speeding ticket. Ace had the kind of resources to track us down if my name popped up on any databases.

Until the flashing lights, I’d been nothing but raging Alpha hormones and thrill, but I needed to get a grip. There was too much on the line.

I arrived safely and clear of the law, grabbing the bag from the car and making my way to the kitchen. I thought that was the best place.

It was the middle of the night, and I hadn’t given any real consideration to how I wanted to present what I’d brought. I tugged the bag open, pulling out the box within and staring at it.

Shit.

Now the initial thrill had passed and my hormones were settling, I was second-guessing everything.

What the fuck had I been thinking?

This was a terrible idea. She was traumatised. Did she really need this in her life right now? I’d been in a state, completely focused on vengeance, furious instincts guiding me. I hadn’t considered how it might come across…

I opened the box, still warring with the dumbass whispers that this was the perfect gift. Blood had dried against the cardboard, turning a rich brown. The blood from the two disembodied appendages I’d brought her.

Two fingers, each from a different Alpha.

Yup.

This was nuts.

Kyan had given me all the information I needed—and fuck knows where he’d got it, but it had allowed me to descend into a full-blown Alpha episode. I’d spent the last few days making the whole plan and then executing it. I had become a monster my own father would have been proud of.

And now I wanted to give her fingers?

But the tattoos between the knuckles, those marked their value to her.

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