Page 34 of Property of Legend

“Not anymore,” I say, voice like steel.“This ends tonight.”

The sun’s settin’ low, casting long-ass shadows across the dirt stretch that separates Hell from the so-called holy ground they call the Pearly Gates.Gravel flies as I roll the Harley to a stop outside the chapel gates, and that old familiar pain settles in my gut.This place, it’s colder than it ever was, and it damn sure wasn’t warm when I called it home.

Used to think Reverend Ezekiel Crowley saved me when my old man ghosted.Truth is, the bastard just swapped one kind of hell for another.He took me in, alright, but it wasn’t outta love.It was about image.Power.Control.

Ezekiel’s waitin’ at the top of the church steps like some backwoods god.Arms folded.Silver hair all righteous in the light.His eyes?Ice.Judgmental as ever.

“Legend,” he says, like my name’s a sin on his tongue.

“Reverend,” I bite back, cool and clipped as I kill the engine and swing off the bike.My boots hit the ground with purpose.“We need to talk.”

He doesn’t argue.Just turns on his heel and leads me inside like he still holds the leash.Chapel office’s the same damn tomb it always was, dark wood, dusty old relics, and crosses meant to shame you into submission.I don’t bow to any of it.

“Your people’ve been sniffin’ around Sophie Montgomery,” I say, wasting no time.“And I’m not in the mood for your holy bullshit.”

His eyes narrow.“That’s a serious accusation, son.Got proof, or just righteous anger?”

“I got enough,” I growl, stepping closer.“Don’t play coy with me.We both know nothin’ happens in this cult without your say-so.”

“Watch your mouth,” he warns, but I see the crack in his armor.“You turned your back on us.On the truth.”

“No,” I say, slamming my fist on the desk hard enough to make the dusty old cross rattle.“I turned my back on your version of it.You think your faith gives you the right to target an innocent woman?Think again.”

He doesn’t flinch.“Sophie Montgomery represents everything this county lost.Her bloodline is corrupt.Besides, a woman in power is like asking the devil for dinner.”

“And you’re a damn coward,” I snap.“You hide behind scripture and scare tactics, but the truth is you can’t stand that that woman’s got more backbone than your whole flock combined.Hell, half of them work out on her farm.She’s feeding them, and they feed your coffers.”

His face twists, voice going low and venomous.“She’ll drag you down, Legend.Just like you dragged Becki.My daughter was pure before your filth touched her.”

I step into his space, chest-to-chest now.“Becki made her choice.She’s free.Something you’ll never understand.”

“You’ve cursed her.”

I laugh, mean and sharp.“No, Ezekiel.You did that when you tried to smother the fire in her.She chose her own path.And so did I.”

He leans in, voice like sand.“This war you’re startin’?It’ll eat you alive.You’ll burn in Hell.”

I turn for the door.“I’m already in Hell.”

Burn?That sounds familiar.The damn note on Sophie’s door, said she’ll burn.Sound’s just like something the Reverend would threaten.

Outside, the night air slams into me, cold and sharp.Doesn’t help much.Rage’s still boilin’ under my skin.I think about going back in to question him about the note, but I’m afraid of what I might do.

As I reach my bike, the creak of boots on gravel stops me cold.I turn slow.Half a dozen men in denim and camo step out from the shadows lining the chapel fence, rifles slung casual but eyes mean.

Church boys.

Ezekiel’s true believers.

The kind raised on end-times scripture and the taste of shine.One of them, the one with the snake tattoo crawling up his neck, Pleasant Southeren tips his chin and grins.“You think we need the Depraved Sinners to spill blood for the cause?”he drawls.“Nah, the Reverend’s got plenty of shepherds ready to cull the flock.”His hand taps the stock of his rifle like a promise.“We don’t fear Hell, brother.We’re countin’ on it.Now get off our land.”

Outnumbered, I hightail it outta there, before they string me up on the cross.

Chapter 18

Sophie

Hell Ain’t a Place, It’s a Party, read the crop top of the ring girl as she parades around in her daisy dukes, her ass cheeks out.

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