Page 98 of My Darling Mayhem

Kyle searched the ground before he lifted his head. "Unfortunately, the man had papers…we considered it legitimate. You'd have to go back and figure out how you lost such important documents. So, the ownership stays with us. However, I will ensure Juan's spawn has been pulled off you and told to heel."

"Fuck off, Kyle," Juan muttered, pulling out a vape pen.

It still confused me why the twins might listen to Kyle over their own father. But Juan had said they had good reason to, so I didn't care.

I just wanted to get back to Wren.

"Okay, make the call."

Kyle laughed, tipping his head back. "Oh no. One doesn't call the Phantom Twins and simply tell them to stop murdering. You need to go in person to get them to stop."

Juan took a long hit of his vape. "Kyle, you're pushing."

"No. I'm not. If I pushed, Juan, then your boys would be at the bottom of a fucking ravine. You'll know when I'm pushing."

Kyle shoved off the wall. "Let's go, then. You'll need to come with us."

Thistle's jaw tensed, and I knew what he was thinking. Too dangerous.

"Why do we need to be present?"

Kyle turned back to us, his eyes searching our faces as his hands disappeared into his pockets again. "Because that man I made a deal with ten years ago was just spotted driving toward our home. He's a few hours out, but the direction is too coincidental. He wouldn't be sniffing around for anything I own, and surely not what Juan owns. He's on his way because he’s looking for someone. That would be your woman and your two boys if I'm correct."

No.

How had my father found out about them? Did he follow them? Thistle already had his phone out. He stepped away, yelling at whoever the fuck he'd put on watching my father. How the fuck had he slipped past our detail?

Kyle continued, "That fire in your eyes, that's what it will take to get the twins' attention. They're monsters, and they only respond to other beasts. You need to show them that you're going to tear into their throats with a jaw of steel. Anything less, and they'll ignore you like one would a housefly."

"Are they working together?" My voice was rough as I walked behind Kyle, and I felt urgency in each of my steps as we trailed down the stairs to the street.

Juan was the one to respond. "That man and the boys? I doubt it, but we won't know until we talk to them."

Fuck.

TWENTY-FOUR

WREN

I spentthe night staying in Juan and Taylor’s wing of the house. That’s what these people had: wings. Alex, Taylor and my mother kept us company while the boys played in their indoor pool, then over dinner. The conversations always revolved around me or the boys. Taylor would share stories of Alex, Juan and even a few of my mother or Leo, my stepdad. She never spoke of her sons. Taylor, Alex and even my mother were all smiles and sunshine, and I was too engrossed in the warmth to destroy it by bringing up other, more complicated topics.

I had about a thousand questions, but I respected my brother’s life enough to not barge in and demand answers on anything. I had sauntered back to the living room with all the photos and inspected each and every one, twice, before taking a glass of wine up to my room. Sleep didn’t come as I worried for Archer, and now with a new day dawning, I was tired and scared.

The sun came up with no news from Archer. I had another text from Brian come through, which confused me

Brian: I just want to go on record saying, we can start over. I’m going to give you the chance to apologize and we can try again.

I stared at the text and reread it three times before texting him back.

Me: What are you talking about?

Another text came in immediately.

Brian: I’m talking about you being a fucking whore, Wren. You’re such a goddamn tease. I deserved better…I was owed better from a slut like you. This is for your own good.

My stomach tensed as fear and confusion warred for dominance. I had no idea what the hell was going on with him, but I blocked his number. There was too much on my mind to think through it or focus on him.

I decided to venture through the double glass doors, holding Kane and Cruz’s hands. A gorgeous view greeted us as the breeze slid across my skin, chilled with hints of autumn clinging to it.

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