Ride or Die (Rejects Paradise 4)
Kai grabs a bottle of bourbon from the bar and takes a long swig before looking at me. “I don’t give a shit what you have to say,” he tells me as Sebastian and Eli move in to flank him. “We’re going after her and you’re either with us or against us.”
I clench my jaw and watch them. “It’s a fucking suicide mission.”
“She’s worth it,” Sebastian snaps.
The longer they watch me, the heavier their stares become, but it doesn’t take them long to realize that this time, they’re out on their own. They’re right, Oceania Munroe is fucking worth it, but I can guarantee that the next time she sees me, she’ll be putting a bullet right through my head, and that’s not something I’m about to risk.
If they knew, they’d fucking understand, but then, they’d also be fighting over who gets to pull the trigger. What it really comes down to is that she ran to the Wolves instead of coming to us. The boys might think that she’s there because she’s too scared and doesn’t know what to do. The truth of the matter is, I know her better than any of these fuckers. She is strong enough to handle the baby on her own. She walked into their world because she wants to go to war. So, instead of fighting for her, I take a step back and wave my hand toward the exit. “Fuck off then,” I tell them coldly. “Go and save that traitor and her rapist’s baby. You’re on your own.”
The boys gape at me in horror before shaking their heads and turning on their heels. They stalk right out of the compound, and within seconds are in Eli’s car, turning their backs on their family. But they’ll be back soon enough. Once a Widow, always a Widow.
I used to tell her, ‘No friends, only family.’ That saying used to hold weight between us, but not anymore. Oceania Munroe is no longer friend or family, and if it’s a war she wants to bring to my doorstep, then it’s a fucking war she’ll get.
She better be prepared because I don’t lose.
Ever.Chapter 2OceanThe smell of rust and blood lingers in the air of the dark Wolf Den. It smells something like the wine cellar dungeon in the bottom of Colton’s mansion, making me wonder what kind of secrets lay hidden in this place. Though, maybe wondering about that really isn’t the best idea. I’m sure the secrets this den holds would be far worse than anything I’ve ever seen before.
I’ve only been here for twenty minutes, and that’s more than enough time to realize how badly I screwed up. Well, sort of. I should never have come here. I never should have walked through the door and signed myself up for a lifetime of gang violence, but I had no choice. I had to do it. I didn’t take this decision lightly, and despite how stupid it sounds, there’s a method to my madness.
No one will understand, but hopefully, one day they will. I’ll probably have destroyed all my friendships before then anyway. If the boys knew I’d come here, they’d be broken. Standing with the Wolves is the ultimate betrayal. They’ll never forgive me for this.
How am I ever going to face them knowing that I stepped through this door with the intention to go against Nic? But, on the other hand, how could I bring a child into this world while up against a constant threat? I don’t know how I feel about this child yet, but one thing is certain, it’s half mine, and that means that I have a responsibility to give this child the best life possible.
Colton is where it gets complicated.
I’d do anything to have an easy life with him. He’s going to be the one who takes this betrayal the hardest. I can just see it now. Had I gone home and explained this all to him, he would have played the role of my white knight and he would have done it flawlessly. He would have told me that he’d take on this baby as his own and to forget about Jude. He would have tried to deal with Nic himself, and he would have done everything in his power to take my fear away, but Colton doesn’t know Nic like I do. Nic doesn’t like to lose. He will keep going, hit after hit until he finally gets what he wants, and I can’t bring that shit to Colton’s door. It’s already bad enough as it is. I need to face this head-on, and I need to do it with an army at my back who isn’t afraid to get hurt.
I have to end this before it’s too late.
There’s a sinking feeling in my gut. I know this war is going to end with someone getting hurt and it terrifies me. Hell, even if it’s Nic … no. I can't have anyone getting hurt. I should want Nic dead for everything he’s done. He killed my father and then lied about it. He held me while I cried and promised me vengeance. All this time I’ve wondered if I’m becoming a monster, but the truth is, the monster has been right there by my side the whole time.