Page 30 of Unholy Cross

“Someone fill me in on what happened,” Saxon ordered.

Lorelei reached for her juice, washing down the last part of her croissant, as she listened to Cross explain their journey so far.Anger darkened their faces, with Saxon looking downright murderous.She figured men like them wouldn’t care about one innocent woman being held against her will.Cross had already admitted he wasn’t a good man, but was anybody truly good or bad?She had killed someone, quite brutally.Was she bad?It was certainly a grey area, at least in her mind.To her, more monsters hid in the name of medicine then those who admitted it freely.The Noble Vale orderly who tried to rape her was a prime example, and how many other women had he violated?She lost no sleep over that predator.

“Are you keeping her?”Saxon asked his brother.There was an odd note in his voice.His tone more formal, or perhaps solemn might be a better description.

“Yes,” Cross replied.

“Good.”Saxon nodded his acknowledgment.“She needs to be treasured.And this Birsha.He still at Noble Vale?”

“He better be,” Cross said darkly.“I won’t hesitate to slit his throat if he comes after her again.”

“Welcome to the family, Lorelei,” Evren said.

Emotion welled through her.His words made her heart soar.It had been a long time since she’d felt cherished, not since her parents had been alive.Yet these men accepted her, like how family should.

“Aera,” Jeremiah said, capturing his attention.“Do you still want to leave Vegas?”

“You know how I feel about this city.”

“Then I have a proposition for you.I have acquired a place in Reno that needs ...attending.”

Cross snorted.“I’m not exactly manager material.”

“I don’t need a manager.”

“I’m not breaking the law anymore.”He glanced over at Lorelei.“I can’t do that to her.I made a mistake yesterday, but I’m all she has.I can’t risk prison time.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you, Aera,” Jeremiah said.“You think I’m a monster but youarefamily, and we’re all that each of us have.”

Lorelei laid a hand on his arm, and Cross looked at her.She hoped he saw the understanding and acceptance on her face.The absolute trust she had in him.Without hesitation, she knew he would protect her until he took his last breath.

He turned back to Jeremiah.“What’s the job?”

“I confiscated a gentleman’s club, located in Reno, from a man who failed to repay his loan.I’ve already sent a crew up there to inspect it, and they reported the place was overrun with less, how should I put it, desirable people.Apparently, a local pimp and his minions are terrorizing patrons and abusing the women.”

“So, what, you want me toRoadhousethe place?”

“In a nutshell, yeah.”

Cross leaned close to her.“What do you think?Wanna go to Reno?”

She cocked her head as she contemplated the suggestion.Although Reno wasn’t one of the cities they had discussed, it didn’t really matter to her when they went.She nodded her agreement.

Cross turns back to Jeremiah.“I guess we have a deal.”

“Great,” Evren added.“I’ll have a house waiting for you there.”

“Little sis,” Saxon said, grabbing her attention.“Don’t worry about this Birsha asshole.You have us now, so he’ll never bother you again.Okay?”

She really hoped not.

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