Page 91 of Property of Legend

“She said she needed time.Said she was tired of pretending.But Worthington told the press he cut ties with her.He’s spun such a tell, everyone thinks she’s disappeared on her own, from the utter embarrassment.”

Fuck.I thought I hated Sam for being everything I’m not.Now, his name makes me sick.I swallow the bile and focus.

“I should’ve told you sooner,” he says.“Should’ve… should’ve trusted you.But now she’s gone.I don’t care about what people say about the Kings.Your daddy was a good man, and I need your help.”

“You got it,” I say before he can finish.“We’ll find her.No matter what it takes.”

When I hang up, the room’s dead quiet.The brothers are all starin’ at me, readin’ my face like it’s a death sentence.

I look up.

“She’s gone,” I tell them.“Taken from her fuckin’ bed.”

Rye’s already grabbin’ his weapons.

“Fuck the turf war,” I say, shoving the map off the table.“We find Sophie.”

Because if she’s out there, hurting, scared, thinkin’ no one’s comin’ for her, I’ll burn this whole goddamn state to the ground before I let it stand.

I lost her once.I ain’t losin’ her again.

Chapter 51

Legend

The second I hang up with Sophie’s daddy, I storm outta the war room, rage rollin’ through me like goddamn thunder.I need answers.I need blood.And first?I need to look Becki in the eye and see if she knows who’s behind this.Because her daddy the Reverend had hands in it before.

She’s leanin’ against my bike out back, smoking a clove like we’re still teenagers sneakin’ smokes behind the chapel.

“You hear?”I growl.

“About the rich girl gone missin’?”she snaps, flickin’ ash without lookin’ at me.“Yeah.I heard.”

I step closer.“You know anything about it?”

Her head whips toward me, eyes blazing.“You really think I’d have her taken?You think I’m that twisted?”

“I don’t know what to think anymore,” I bite out.“But you’re the one who shows up where she ain’t wanted.”

She crosses her arms.“And you’re the one still stuck on a girl who don’t want nothin’ to do with this world.With you.”

“She called off the wedding,” I growl.“She was leavin’ him.And now she’s gone.So yeah, Becki, I’m gonna find her.Whether you like it or not.”

“You think she’s still yours?”Becki hisses.“You’re a damn fool.Sharpie’s not permanent on skin.”

I turn and walk away without another word.I ain’t got time for her shit.Not when Sophie’s out there.If she wasn’t my adopted sister, I swear, I would end her.

I head straight to Pearly Gates.The Reverend’s in his office, surrounded by gospel books and moonshine jars.One hell of a combination.

He’s lookin’ older these days, like all the lies are weighin’ on his spine.

“You better not be behind this,” I say, stormin’ in.

“Behind what?”

“Sophie,” I bark.“She’s gone.Taken.If I find out you or your flock had a hand in it….”

He raises both hands, calm as a goddamn monk.“Son, I swear on the Book of Life, I don’t know a thing.That girl… she’s caught between too many worlds.But I wouldn’t hurt her.”

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