Page 149 of Claimed By a King

“Doug, Munroe, Tio, search up on the ridge for Gunner. If you find him, make sure he can’t run or use his hands, butkeep him alive,” I order, and they nod, charging ahead up over the ridge as Slasher remains with me and Zoe.

“Izzy. No. I’m so sorry,” Zoe whimpers, pressing her hands to the large gash severing Izzy’s carotid artery as it empties.

I don’t do anything but stand guard, my gun at the ready in case that sick fucker is playing with us.

I wouldn’t put it past him.

“Gray,” Doug pants, coming back to the ridge. “He got away in a van. It must have been what they came here in.”

“Are you sure?” I snap as Munroe and Tio appear next to Doug.

“Yeah. He was halfway down the track leading in the other direction by the time we got there. Saw the taillights.” Doug advises and my gut twists.

We were so fucking close.

How did that fucker get away?

Fuuuuck!

Lowering my gun, I drag a rough hand through my hair, dropping my gaze to my princess.

“I’ll call Dante. See if his men have eyes on Gunner,” Slasher advises as he tucks his gun away and pulls out his phone.

“Get an update on their operation while you’re at it. I want to make sure this is the fucking end.” I hiss, knowing it’s still not over until Gunner is dead.

Dante and his crew were lying in wait at all the safehouses, and the moment I saw Rusty, Irina, Gunner and Adam step into the clearing, I sent a text to Dante to give the okay to breach the houses and kill the occupants. The Reaper occupants.

This was all meant to end here tonight. I can’t fucking believe Gunner got away.

“Got it, Prez.” Slasher agrees and I nod to myself, watching my princess jerk with sobs.

“Zo,” I say, reaching down to squeeze her shoulder. “There’s nothing you can do.”

Her sobs cut off abruptly and her blue eyes dart to mine, swimming with fury as her top lip curls.

“You’re wrong. There’s something I can do, and it’s all going to start with that slut faced bitch who brainwashed my dad.”

Irina.

I don’t argue with her. There’s not a single thing I can say to stop her wrath. All I can do is join her and be there for her when she comes out on the other side, no matter what version that may be.

Zoe

Afresh wave of unrelenting guilt slams into me the second I step foot into Dirty Diamonds, where the Diamonds are already busy treating the injured Cunts.

Most of my girls lost their wig in the chaos. They’re dirty and bloody. Yet every single one of them sits straight with their shoulders rolled back, and a satisfied glint in their eyes. Even Alana and the others who took a bullet. Okay, so my friend’s expression is mostly marred by her hissing in pain as she writhes on the table, but I still see it in the depths of her eyes.

“Did we get them?” Cilla asks.

Like a deer caught in the proverbial headlights, I freeze. I scan all of them until I’ve memorized their individual injuries.

“We got Rusty and Irina, who are with Cain as we speak, getting acquainted with their new home down in the basement. And Adam is dead,” I confirm. My throat clogs with the ball of emotions resting there. “But we… we…”

Fuck.

The words won’t come. Knowing I’m about to remove their pride by announcing the death of one of their own is fucking brutal.

“Where’s Izzy?” Rose asks, and when her shrewd gaze finds mine, I get the feeling she’s trying to help me along. Like she’s picked up on a tell I’m not aware of.

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