Page 187 of Rose
Twenty minutes was twenty too long. He wasn’t about to risk William slipping away.
Sliding out of the car, Savior moved like shadow—through the alley, across the grass, his boots silent on the damp ground. He rounded to the back of the house, catching sight of William through the window.
There he was. Sitting on the couch, back to the glass, eyes on the TV. Comfortable. Safe.
Savior moved like a shadow, slipping through the side yard until he reached the farthest bedroom. The window was cracked, unlocked. Fate, or maybe just arrogance. He eased it open, climbing inside without a whisper of sound.
Gun in hand, he swept through the house. William’s TV blared in the living room, drowning out every creak in the floorboards.This nigga stupid,Savior thought, shaking his head. He checked every corner, every door. Empty. Just him and William.
He crept into the living room and pressed the cold barrel to the back of William’s head. “About time you showed up,” William chuckled like he’d been expecting him.
“Stand the fuck up,” Savior ordered, his voice sharp enough to cut glass.
William rose slowly, hands raised, the smirk never leaving his face. “Not sending soldiers to do your dirty work anymore? I get it… the ones you sent the first time must’ve been new. Didn’t even check a man’s pulse after they pulled the trigger.”
“You talk too much for a dead man,” Savior said, finger tightening on the trigger.
“Wait—” William’s breath hitched, a show of fear Savior didn’t buy. “You should know something before you kill me.”
“I don’t give a fuck.” Savior steadied his aim.
Pow.
The shot came from behind. Pain exploded in his leg, hot and searing, dropping him to a knee. His gun slipped from his grip. William snatched it before Savior could recover.
“I’m not Lazarus,” William said, standing over him.
“Fuck!” Savior roared, clutching his bleeding leg. Footsteps echoed—slow, deliberate—followed by the tap of a cane. Cain stepped into view, gun leveled at Savior, eyes cold.
Savior’s gaze flicked between Cain and the man who wore William’s face.
“I bet you care what I have to say now,” the man said.
Savior tried to push to his feet, but another shot ripped through his side, sending him back down.
“My name is Darius Cain. Cain’s twin brother,” the man said with a grim smile. “Or maybe you know him better as William Davis… aka Lazarus Cain.”
Cain’s smirk was lethal. “Don’t feel so good being on this side of death, does it?”
Savior bared his teeth in defiance. “I’ll see yo ass in hell, my nigga.”
Lazarus laughed as he sank into the chair Darius dragged over. “Second time you’ve failed to get me, Khaos. I’m shocked your pops even gave you the business.” His grin was sharp and mocking. “Hell, the pussies you sent the first time did better—they at least fucked me up a little.”
Savior groaned, blood pooling under him, but the fire in his eyes didn’t dim.
“When I met Saint at a poker table, I knew I had this dumbass family in my back pocket,” Lazarus went on, leaning forward. “The man felt so sorry for me, he walked me straight to the lion’s den. Tell me—how’s it feel to be played?”
“Man, nigga… fuck you,” Savior gritted out, wincing through the pain.
“Just like you been fucking my wife for the last few months,” Lazarus shot back.
Savior’s glare sharpened. “I don’t know your fucking wife.”
“Oh, but you do,” Lazarus said, voice low and venomous. “You caused her more pain than anyone. Tried to take her husband from her. And you’re the reason she lost her baby girl. Willow.”
The name hit Savior like a bullet to the chest. His breathing stuttered. He knew exactly who Lazarus meant. It was confirmation. The truth he never wanted to face. Ahzii had been in that house. And his family’s mission had destroyed her life.
Lazarus saw the change in his eyes and laughed. “Yeah. Ahzii is Jane Doe. How’s it feel to know you’re the reason the woman you fell for has been drowning in pain for a year?”
