The Wayward Sister (The Wayward Sons 5)

Heart pounding, I hold the knife with a shaking hand. His eyes shift between me and the knife, like he’s contemplating his move. I promise myself not to let him take the knife from me.

I see the flicker of in his eyes, his jaw set, and a look of crazed determination on his face. I sense the decision and I brace myself.

The slam of wood against wood shatters the tension of the moment, both of us looking toward the door. Three figures, three men, stand in the doorway, vengeful anger etched on their faces.

I grip the knife, unwaveringly even after Reid darts toward the back door, pants halfway down.

“Motherfuc—” Smith says, going after him, fast for such a big man. Adrian darts back out the front door. Holden rushes right over to me, slowing as he approaches. He looks down at the bloody floor.

“I cut my foot,” I say, voice shaking.

He nods. “I’ll take a look at it.”

I don’t move, still clutching the knife, adrenaline still pumping through my veins. I’m focused on the door.

“Babe?”

I swallow thickly, unable to let down my guard.

“Sierra.”

I look at him.

“Can I have the knife? Then I can look at your foot.”

I nod, hands still gripped around the weapon. A sob rips through me. “He was outside. He busted the light…”

“You’re safe, Sierra.” Holden reaches for the knife, prying it from my hands. He sets it on the counter and bends, placing one arm under my knees and another behind my back. He lifts me up and a shudder rolls through me.

“He ruined my floors.”

“We can fix the floors.” He kisses my temple and carries me over to the dining room table, leaving me only to grab clean towels and the first-aid kit. When he comes back, sirens are wailing in the distance and Adrian comes through the doorway, sweaty and wild-eyed.

“Smith has him. The police are on the way.” He walks over, assessing me. “Are you okay?”

I nod, not completely sure, but I feel way better now that they’re here.

“I wanted one last night together,” I tell them.

“Last night in the house?”

I shake my head. “For good.”

Adrian steps in front of me, lifting my chin. “If you think we’re walking away from you without a fight, you don’t understand us very well.”

“It’s too complicated, without the house—”

“That’s not a problem.”

“Of course, it’s a problem!” My nerves are frazzled, now is not the time to talk about this. “This whole thing is crazy, Adrian. The four of us together? Once we leave this house, it will fall apart completely.”

“I don’t believe that, but say you’re right, there’s something we need to talk to you about—” he glances at Holden, who nods.

Bright lights flood the driveway and footsteps pound on the stairs. EMTs come through the door.

“We’ll talk about it later,” Adrian says, squeezing my hand, “But know that we’re not going anywhere and this time, we’re not letting you go, not again.”

He kisses me on the cheek before stepping back and giving the EMTs space to work. Holden holds my hand the whole time, not caring who sees.