Page 38 of Property of Chux

That right there is his death certificate.

Alaina wraps her arms tight around my waist clinging to me. I feel the tremble through her body as she presses herself against me like I’m her lifeline.

Konstantin has followed us out and stands to our right.

“This ain’t over,” I warn.

He watches me with his unreadable eyes. I don’t give a fuck what he’s thinking. He needs to understand, his time to make moves is over. He let her slip away. Now I’m going to show her where she belongs, with me.

“She needs time.” My voice is steel. “Time to process all this, time to breathe. You can’t force her into a decision when her whole world just got flipped upside down.”

Konstantin exhales, slow and measured. He’s not a man used to being told no. I can see it in the way his lips press together, the subtle tick in his jaw. But he doesn’t push back. Not yet.

Alaina doesn’t speak. She’s barely holding it together, and I sure as hell won’t let her fall apart in front of him. I shift my bike into gear and rev the engine, the low growl filling the space between us. “She’s with me from here on out. Tell your family that.”

Konstantin doesn’t move, doesn’t blink. But I see it—the hesitation, the battle warring in his head. Then he steps back. Not far, but enough.

“Take care of her,” he says, his voice clipped, controlled.

I don’t answer. Instead, I ease the clutch out and pull away, feeling Alaina’s grip tighten as we disappear into the night.

The ride back to the clubhouse is quiet, but I can feel her. Every tremor, every slow inhale, every thought she’s too scared to say out loud. I keep my hand steady on the throttle, pushing through the darkness, knowing the only thing I can do now is get her somewhere safe.

By the time we pull into the lot, the boys are already waiting. They don’t say anything as I park the bike and help Alaina off.She’s stiff, her eyes wide, but she doesn’t pull away when I guide her inside.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you settled.”

She nods, but her grip on my cut tells me everything I need to know.

This ain't over.

Not by a long shot.

I don’t waste time. As soon as Alaina is settled in my room, I shut the door behind her and head straight to the chapel. The boys are already inside, waiting. When I step through the doors, all eyes turn to me.

“Church,” I announce, and the murmurs die instantly. The air in the room shifts, tension thickening. They know whatever I’m about to say is serious.

I take my seat at the head of the table, planting my palms flat on the wood. “We’ve got a problem,” I start, my voice low and even. “Dimitri Morozov.”

A few curses slip from the mouths of my brothers. Looney, our enforcer, leans forward, arms crossed, his brows furrowed. “What the hell does a Russian mob boss have to do with us?”

I glance around, making sure I’ve got their full attention. “Alaina,” I say. “She’s tangled up in this, and that means we are too.”

Grit exhales sharply, shaking his head. “Shit.”

“He’s coming,” I continue. “Konstantin might be holding back for now, but Dimitri? He won’t. He doesn’t take kindly to people stepping on his toes, and right now, we’re in his way. I took away his power over Konstantin.”

Riot slams a fist on the table. “So what’s the play?”

I look each of my brothers in the eye. “We lock this place down. No one comes in or out without us knowing. We stay armed, we stay sharp, and we don’t take any chances. Riot you get Kelly here to prevent any leverage on Alaina.”

The room hums with agreement. No one argues. They know what’s at stake.

I lean forward. “This ain’t just about Alaina. This is about the Kings. We let one of these bastards think they can step into our territory and call the shots? We’re as good as dead.”

Silence stretches for a beat before Mellow nods. “Then we make damn sure they know exactly who they’re messing with.”

A slow grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. “Damn right.”

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