X P

s. The untouchable princess of the Gibbs family, the woman who had been

epared myself to watch her crumble into a weeping mess on my d

made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. She wasn't asking for a favor; sh

e back of a chair and shrugging it on. "But don't say I didn't w

nch. "I'll tak

downstairs, the muffled thumping of heavy metal bass vibrating through the floorboards. A few patched members

ld card of the club, walking side-by-side with the pristine, elegant Betha

he moved with a purpose that demanded respect. I found myself walking a little slower, just

where my grandmother, Eleanor Woodward, resided. Eleanor was the true power behind the Reapers. My uncle P

n they saw us, but a sharp glare fro

house was fully illuminated. The silence in the

but imposing frame. Her sharp, hawk-like eyes darted between me and Bethany. She looked f

, her voice raspy but commanding. "A

own her pale cheek. It was a masterclass in manipulation. I stood in the corner, arms crossed, watching the performance with

shot me a questioning look, which I answered with a shrug. Then came my uncle Preston and his wife, Mer

Preston demanded, his voice b

for your son,"

rumpled. Clinging to his side was Kia Mason, Bethany's stepsister. Kia looked like a frightened doe,

the light, the truth of the

a dangerous whisper. "It seems the golden bo

then to Eleanor. "Grandmother, I can explain. It was

rett's chest. "It's all my fault! I was so confused, I di

t. Because a patched VP doesn't know w

im a mocking salute. The tension in the room was a powd