Page 86 of Edge of Desperation

The command is followed by the familiar sounds of the Wolamute’s jaws snapping and screams of someone in pain.

After walking in on Aurora killing the senator, I thought I’d seen it all, that there wasn’t anything else that could possibly shock me. I was wrong. Lykos’ jaw is clamped down on some guy’s dick, and even though the guy is either passed out or dead, he has no intention of letting go. Lace is on a stage like the one from the other warehouse, chained down like an animal.

The main attraction is Aurora and Vera fighting in the middle of the room. Aurora sweeps her leg and knocks Vera down before jumping on top of her. Aurora rains blow after blow down on her face. Vera screams and yanks Aurora by her hair and rolls them over, gaining the upper hand.

Guess our distraction worked.

“Girl fight,” Carver says gleefully.

“Why’s she pissed at Vera?” Bennett asks. “What’s she even doing here?”

“You Russian bitch,” Aurora shouts as she dodges a punch. “My dad won’t get a chance to end you because I’m going to fucking kill you.”

“That’s right,daughter.I fooled everyone. Vera Krukov doesn’t exist anymore, only Vera Parks, loving mother and wife.” Vera laughs maniacally and rakes her nails down Aurora’s face. “Your dad is never gonna find out. My men probably already killed him and the others.”

Aurora roars and bucks Vera off her. Both get to their feet, and Aurora charges, landing a kick to Vera’s gut, causing her to double over. Aurora quickly brings her knee up, and the distinct sound of a bone breaking knocks us out of our trance.

“Lykos, heel!” I call. He drops his chew toy but doesn’t listen. His hackles are still raised as he watches his owner still battling an enemy. The Wolamute barks and starts snapping at Vera.

Aurora doesn’t need Lykos’ help and yells, “Down.” He backs off, but he stays alert, his teeth barred.

General Parks pushes between the two women, and before he can even speak, Vera cries and points at Aurora. “Victor, Aurora’s gone insa?—”

General Parks aims his Springfield XDM at Vera and empties the clip into her body. The last bullet he puts between her eyes. “No one fucks with my daughter.” He hangs his head and turns to face Aurora. “I’m so sorry, baby girl. I didn’t know… I would’ve protected you. Please, forgive me.”

Aurora throws herself into his arms and sobs. “It’s okay, Daddy. It’s okay.”

“It’s not, but I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you,” he vows and kisses her cheek. “I think someone else is anxious to see you.”

I spin her around and grip the back of her neck. I crash my mouth to hers in a searing, claiming kiss for everyone to see.

“Get a room!” Carver yells. “Told you I didn’t want to see that shit anymore.”

I break the kiss. “Can’t leave you alone for five minutes.”

“They started it,” she sasses.

I cock my brow. “And we get to clean it up?”

She winks. “I didn’t shoot anyone this time. That was all you!”

“Keys!” Thomas yells from the platform where Lace is chained.

Aurora leans over Vera’s dead body and digs in her pockets for the requested keys before tossing them to Thomas.

“Friend or foe?” Carver asks, pointing his gun at a shaking Lace. Thomas pushes her behind him.

Aurora places her hand on the barrel of his pistol and pushes down. “A little bit of both. This isn’t the time or the place, but she’s coming home with me.”

“You sure about that?” I cross my arms.

She stares into my eyes. “Do you trust me, Jaxson?”

“With every breath in my body.”

CHAPTER 32

AURORA

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