Page 40 of Deadly Little Hearts

The den’s almost full.There should be over seven hundred members here, but with today’s losses, there’s less.Once this is settled, we need to start recruiting again and get in fresh blood.War is here, and we’re going to be ready for it.Not like today.Our first official event as leaders, and look at how well it turned out.It’s fucking embarrassing.

I clear my throat and the room goes quiet.“You all know why we are gathered here today—to talk about the events that unfolded at the town hall.”

A couple of murmurs travel around the room, and one of the men steps forward—Damon.

“You could have warned us.Why lie?”Moreyeahsare thrown around the room, and I exhale heavily out of my nose.

Hazen scoffs.“If you honestly believe we are responsible for the events that unfolded yesterday, then leave now and run.You’ll have twenty seconds before Lucas hunts you down and kills you.”

I scan the room, and a couple of people shift uncomfortably, but no one leaves.They know better.Without the protection of The Brotherhood, they will spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders and end up dead.There’s only one way to leave The Brotherhood, and that’s with your life.When you join, you sign away every part of yourself.It’s The Brotherhood or nothing.They know the risks, and they do it anyway because of how powerful it is to be part of our world, to be one of us.

“If not you, then who did it?”Brax yells out, standing between Zeke and Callan.One of the other soldiers has eyes on Dominic tonight so Brax could be here.

“Could have been rogue members of the Hood trying to pin something on us to gain extra support for war,” Callan says, and a few murmurs go around the room.“They’ve been getting cocky lately—more break-ins, pushing the limits.Ever since one of their own started crossing the lines on the reg.”

Freya.I clench my fists at the insinuation, but I don’t make a move.If I’m going to lead us in some kind of war, I can’t go around killing everyone who mentions my girl.Don’t let women make you weak.

“We, like you, want to work out who did this.Who would have the guts to start a war against The Brotherhood?”I say, my voice bouncing off the walls.

“You know Dominic wouldn’t have allowed this to happen under his command,” Damon says, and before I can open my mouth to reply or punch him in the face, Hazen moves right up to him.

He grabs Damon by the throat, pulls out a knife, and rests it against his Adam’s apple.Leaning forward, he rests his head against Damon’s, and Damon’s eyes go wide.

“Say it again,” he growls, and Lucas chuckles next to me.I throw him a look, but he just shrugs, bringing the bottle to his lips once more.

We’ve spent our whole lives looking up to Dominic.He brought us into this world, training us to become the ultimate weapons.Part of me owes everything I know to Dominic, and the other part hates him for what he put us—and her—through.

I have no idea what Hazen’s feeling now that Dominic is back and wants power over us all, but if it’s anything like me, then he’s battling a war inside of him that’s going to end up either killing or saving us all.No matter what, I’ll be by his side because that’s what brothers do and what everyone here should do—not question us and our authority.Somewhere along the way, a couple of members have forgotten that, namely those who are loyal to Dominic and him only.With a new wave of leadership, it’s clear they need a reminder of who’s in charge around here.

Damon’s body trembles under Hazen’s grip.“Got it,” he says, and Hazen stares at him for several long seconds before releasing him.

He scans the room.“In case you forgot how The Brotherhood works, let me give you a little reminder.Dominic is no longer in charge—we are.We have been initiated by our ancestors to lead our brothers into the depths of hell, to fight, control our town, and most of all”—he pauses, moving back to stand between Lucas and me—“to protect our brothers against all else!”

Cheers ring out through the room.

“We were attacked by our enemies.Someone from Daringhood dared to go against us, and they will pay!”I yell, and more excitement surrounds us.We haven’t figured out who did this, but it has to be one of them.Kai might not have done this, but he’s declared a war, so that’s exactly what he’s going to get.

“Now that’s settled, I want to open up to any questions,” I say, looking over our men.

A younger member in his mid-twenties raises his hand.“I’m worried about my family and what will happen now.Has war been declared?We have the guns and power, but people in Daringhood have nothing to lose.They will fight like madmen.”

“Your family will be protected.We’ll set up safe houses and do everything we can to ensure their safety,” I say, meaning every word.Family is everything to me.I do whatever it takes to protect Amirah, just like my brothers and their loved ones.

“And, yes, war has been declared by people in Daringhood, and we don’t take those threats lightly.Tax reductions and changes we were going to implement will be canceled.”I scan the room full of my brothers, staring at each and every one of them.“We are ready to fight, to protect what’s ours, and we will annihilate them!”

Cheers erupt, and a fire burns deeply in the pit of my stomach.

A battle is coming, and whoever gets in my way won’t be breathing for long—but first, I need to get my girl back.

Then it’s time.

Chapter 21

Freya

Acoupleofdayshavepassed since the explosion, and I’ve hardly left the trailer.Mom’s been by my side, feeding me and playing nurse with my burns.It’s been weird as fuck.I can’t even remember a time when she did this before.But I’m sick of staring at these four walls.If I have to spend another second here, I’m going to go crazy.I need to escape this trailer.

Gage and Hazen have been blowing up my phone.Hell, even Lucas has, telling me I need to get my ass over the tracks before they come and get me themselves.I’ve held them at bay, promising I’ll see them soon, but I don’t know how much more time they’ll give me before they’re knocking down my door.

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