Page 26 of Unmasked Prophecy

5

The morning light is pale as I walk out to the yard. My whole body aches, but it’s a different kind of ache than I’m used to. It’s the kind that comes from anger—the deep kind—the anger that curls its fingers around your heart and squeezes until you can’t fucking breathe. I want to burn them down. Every single one of them. Every last piece of what they’ve done to me. I want to be more than the girl who ran away. I want to be more than a girl who is too scared to be free.

I head into the large area where I find the men more often than not. They’re either drinking, fixing vehicles, or partying. I’m right, because I see them immediately, standing around, cigarettes in hand, discussing something.

Whatever it is, it’s intense, because they all look really pissed.

I already know they’re planning something big. Something dangerous. My heart kicks in my chest, but I don’t slow my steps. I walk straight to them, my head high and my eyes clear. I know what I need to do.

Kael looks up first, his eyes narrowing as he sees me. “Morning, darlin’. You good?”

“I am,” I say, my voice steady. “I’m ready to do this. I want to help. I want this over.”

Talon is standing to my left, but I don’t look at him. I can feel his eyes burning into my face, but I refuse to give him my attention. After last night, I have only one goal, and that is getting this dealt with so I can get the hell out of here. Lily and I can start a new life somewhere else.

Zane raises a brow. “You sure about that? Shit’s about to get real ugly and dangerous.”

“I’m sure.”

Knox crosses his arms, studying me. “You sure you got it in you?”

I look him dead in the eye. “Fuck you.”

The group goes silent.

That’s right, I’m done being the weak girl.

Wolfe chuckles, raising his brows. “Well, fuck me, girl’s got spirit.”

He’s damn right I do.

“I don’t want to waste anyone’s time any further, so I want this done. The longer we wait, the worse it will get,” I answer, my voice clipped.

The men exchange looks, and I know they’re weighing my words, my resolve. I know they’re wondering if I can handle it. If I can handle anything. I meet each of their gazes head-on, daring them to tell me I can’t.

“Think she means it,” Kael says, a hint of a grin. “You got some wild in there, darlin’?”

“Looks like it,” Zane murmurs.

Knox nods slowly. “Well, let’s get this shit started.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. It doesn’t scare me. Not this time.

It feels right. It feels like I’m finally taking control.

“Here’s what we know,” Kael says, bringing the cigarette to his lips and inhaling before he continues. “They got patrols, protection, and cameras, but there are loopholes. We need to find them and get in. Figure the only way we can do that is with you. Which is why we’re goin’ to send you in.”

“Get fucked,” Talon’s words come out harsh and cause me to jerk. “Ain’t no way in fuck she is goin’ in there.”

“Don’t have much of a choice,” Kael says, his voice sharp. “She’s the only one who can do it.”

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