Page 66 of Property of Legend

“James won’t let the Kings near me,” I say finally.

“I know,” Sam replies.“He said they’d only complicate things.”

I stare out the window.Gray sky.Somewhere green hills and twin spires are calling to me.

“Do you think they were behind it?”I ask.

Sam leans forward.“I think you should be careful.You hired men known for doing the dirty work of someverydirty people.That kind of rep comes with blood in its wake.”

I nod, but my chest aches.

Because Idon’tthink Legend did this.But I don’t know what to believe anymore.The Reverend showed me files, connections, whispers of cartel ties that point back to the Kings, back to their national president at least.

Legend once told me he’d protect me no matter what.

But what if protecting me meant keeping me in the dark?

“What would life look like,” I say slowly.“If I stayed with someone like him?”

Sam’s silent.

Then, softly, “Smaller.Riskier.”

I glance at him sharply.

He meets my gaze, his eyes full of concern.

My fingers curl into the hospital sheet.

“Sam is safe.But what I had with Legend was real.

The way that biker held me.The way he nearly came apart when he thought he’d lose me.

But the lies.The danger.The secrets… All I don’t know.

The scars on my body whisper warnings.

And Derby Day waits just over the horizon.

Chapter 39

Legend

The Kentucky Derby comes whether we’re ready or not.

I want to go to Sophie every damn day since she’s found.But the law’s crawlin’ up our asses like ticks on a hound.Cops roll into Hell like they’re takin’ back Sodom, sniffin’ around the clubhouse, pullin’ brothers into the office one by one.Questions about where we were that night she went missin’.What we knew.If we had somethin’ to do with her disappearance.

I wanna rip the badge off the next fucker who even implies it.

But I keep my damn head.For Sophie.

I ain’t seen her since the hospital wouldn’t let me past the front desk.That guard might still be limpin’.James showed up, lookin’ smug in a suit like he’s already carved my name outta her life and filled it with his own.Said I’d never be good enough for her unless she gave up Paradise Falls.

As if she could walk away from the dirt she was born from.

Now it’s Derby Day.No Kings posted on Sophie.No calls.No word.

The Kings ain’t supposed to be anywhere near Paradise Falls, not with the cops tryin’ to pin this shit on us.But I know better.Cops ain’t protectin’ her.James ain’t protectin’ her.And if I can’t keep her safe, I’ll be damned if I don’t at least see her ride out her legacy.

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