Page 26 of Secret Betrayals
Snapping back into the present, I rise and turn toward Sebastian.
Our eyes lock.
His pain guts me.
His hand is bleeding—knuckles cracked open, flexing in and out like he’s trying to hold something together that already broke. His pulse is a steady hammer at his throat.
He’s slipping.
Shit.
Sebastian's anger was a storm, unlike Malikai and his cool logic. No—Seb is the fire. The hammer. The son who needs to feel something break in order to rebuild. And if I don’t give him a target… he’ll find his own. Or become it.
I move to him, take his hand in both of mine, ignoring the blood. I lift his chin, forcing his eyes to meet mine, speaking Italian.
“It’s us against the world, yeah?”
His breath hitches, eyes bright with rage and grief, before he lets it out in a shaky exhale.
He grits out, repeating the phrase, jaw locked.
I nod, then turn to face Talon’s brothers. Axel looks stunned. Nitro? Suspicious. Calculating. I don’t care.
“Is there somewhere I can clean him up?” I ask coolly.
They just stare.
“We’ll need a place to change. And your gym. I remember where it is, but save me the trouble and show us.” I arch a brow, voice calm but clipped. “We need to work out some aggression.”
Their faces? Slack-jawed disbelief. I don’t wait for them to speak.
“Armand,” I call, “have someone bring our bags in.”
Then to Axel and Nitro. “I assume Talon will want the boys close, given… recent developments. We’ll stay as long as necessary. For their sake.”
They turn to each other, having a silent exchange. Nitro shrugs. Axel glares.
I meet his glare with indifference. I have no time for grown men with hurt feelings. My boys are bleeding and breaking in front of me. My energy belongs to them. Sebastian opens his mouth—probably to argue. I cut him off before the words came. “It’s not just your call. You know that. Do it for them.”
He swallows his frustration. I pull him into a hug, kiss his forehead, and feel the tension in him slowly melt. This trip was unplanned. But we’re here now. And I’ll make the best of it—for them. Sam, Armand, Luca, and I planned for every possible scenario. None of this is surprising. As I glance over at Armand, he’s already watching. Waiting. I nod once.
He nods back.
Game on.
I turn to Axel, who's glaring at me like the asshole he is. But with Talon gone, he’s in charge as VP. So, I’ll give him the respect his position demands—even if I don’t like his arrogant ass.
“I’m sure your brother is off licking his wounds,” I say flatly. “I don’t want to disturb your family day or the celebration of your niece. Just show us where to go, and we’ll stay out of your way. We can also leave if you prefer. But business…” I pause and lock eyes with them, letting the weight of that word settle. “Business is a separate matter.”
For a few beats, both men just stare. My patience thins fast.
I smooth my tone into something calm—something my boys know means I’m done playing nice. “Shall we, gentlemen?” I motion toward the door.
A snicker from Nitro breaks the tension. “Did this bitch just gentle voice our asses?” he says, amusement in his tone, not malice.
Axel grunts.
Clasping Seb’s arm when he tenses at the disrespect, but I keep my expression neutral, standing tall with my sons at my side. We wait. Silent. Unmoved.
