Ride or Die (Rejects Paradise 4)

“So, why not give it to Snake?”

Christian scoffs, pretending not to listen to our conversation but unable to help himself. Russo glares at his son before bringing his attention back to me. “In case you haven’t noticed, Snake is a loose cannon. He moved into your father’s position once he was killed, and it’s a decision I’ve regretted ever since. He’s not ready. He'll never lead my men because with him in power, my men will all be dead within two seconds.”

“Okay, so Christian? I’m sure he’ll do a much better job than I ever could.”

Russo narrows his eyes, wondering why I’d suggest Christian when their relationship is strictly on a need to know basis, but seeing that I know what hasn’t actually been said, he gives me the benefit of the doubt. “Because my son will never lead my men while I am still breathing.”

“So, you just figured that you’d throw it at me.”

He nods. “I needed someone strong and who wasn’t going to sit back and take my men’s shit. I needed someone who thinks outside the box and who actually gives a shit about human life. That person was you, and while I hate how quickly my men are accepting this change, it’s for the best. The Wolves are a sinking ship. Within a year, they’re all going to be dead or in prison, but you can turn it around.”

With that, Russo simply turns and walks away, leaving me gaping at his back as Christian looks on in disbelief. “Did he really just say that?” I ask, glancing up at him.

“Trust me, that fucked with my head just as much as it did yours,” he tells me. “Now, let’s get out of here before these other guys start talking shit.”

I glance at the two other men he’s referring to, the two still dangling from the large meat hooks as he leads me toward the door. “Who are these guys?”

Christian nods toward the guy in the far corner. “That one raped Snake’s mom. He’s been here for two months already. I can’t imagine that he’ll be around much longer. And the other guy,” he says, nodding in the other direction. “He’s a traitor. Gave up three of our guys to save his own ass.”

I nod, not wanting to get into any of it, but as we walk out of the door, I can't help but look back into the basement. I take it all into consideration, pressing my lips into a firm line. “From now on, all this gets handled somewhere else. This is our home, and you don’t bring shit home with you, you leave it at the door.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” he tells me.

“Besides, if the cops come storming in here and raid the place, we’re all fucked. Have the guys deal with it.”

Christian nods as he pulls the door closed, locking it just as it was before. “Done. Anything else?”

I find Colton standing outside the basement and walk straight to him as Christian falls in beside me. “I want to go to school,” I tell him. “I can't be here everyday running all this shit.”

“Are you planning on going to college?”

I nod. “Thinking about it.”

“Right,” he says, as Colton takes my hand. “Then I’ll do it. I’ll run the day to day bullshit and overlook everything with Jaren while you make the big calls. Go to school and have a life like a normal teenage girl.”

“It sounds like you're trying to faze me out.”

Christian glances down at me with a nervous hesitation in his eyes. “Would that be such a bad thing?” he questions, unsure how this is going to go.

I shake my head, a grin stretching over my face as I finally begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. “Not at all.”

With everything done and dusted, Colton gets my ass out of there as soon as he can. With Christian overlooking everything, I finally feel like things are going to start turning around. “I got a call while you were talking to Russo,” Colton tells me as we drop down into his Veneno.

My brow raises, and as he starts the engine, I can’t help but glance his way. “And?”

“Nic just walked free and is no doubt just learning that you’re the new leader of the Wolves. You need to be ready, Jade. He’s going to retaliate, and I don’t think he’ll be taking prisoners.”Chapter 28I stand at the altar in the most stunning gown I've ever seen, watching as my mom walks down the aisle, looking absolutely radiant. I’ve never seen her so happy. It’s not every day that a child gets to witness their mother’s wedding day.

She looks incredible in her custom designer gown, and just by looking at the speechless expression on her face, this is more than just a dream come true. This is everything to her, and I can hardly believe that it’s happening.