Page 104 of Endo
Owen’s eyes narrow, and the air shifts, growing heavier with unspoken threats. “Careful, pretty boy,” he sneers. “You wouldn’t want to get hurt playing the hero.”
“Funny,” Revel shoots back, his voice razor-sharp. “I was about to say the same to you.”
The tension crackles like a live wire. Talon shifts, his hand resting near his waistband where I know he’s carrying, and Wolfe moves subtly to block Cece and Bexley’s line of sight. My heart pounds in my chest, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.
Owen’s grin twists into something uglier, more dangerous. “You think you can intimidate me?” He looks past Revel, his gaze locking on me again. “I’m here because of you, Lena. Cruz left that bike to you, didn’t he? But let’s be honest, sweetheart—you’re not doing anything with it. So why not give it up to someone who will?”
Reign snarls, stepping in front of me fully now. “You don’t say another fucking word to her.”
“Or what?” Owen fires back, his voice rising. “What are you gonna do, Reign? You can’t stop me. You couldn’t stop me when Cruz died, and you sure as hell won’t stop me now.”
The mention of Cruz feels like a slap, and I see Reign’s composure crack. His fists clench tighter, his stance shifting like he’s seconds away from lunging.
“Keep running your mouth,” Reign growls, his voice like thunder. “You want to see how far I’ll go? Try me.”
Owen smirks, clearly relishing the tension. “Go ahead. Make your move. But I’ll tell you this—I didn’t come alone, and I didn’t come unprepared. You want a fight, Matthews? You’ve got one.”
The words barely leave his mouth before one of his men steps forward, gun raised, and the crack of a gunshot splits the air.
The gunshot feels like it rips through time itself, freezing everything for a fraction of a second. Then the world explodes into chaos.
Revel moves faster than anyone else, shoving Reign out of the way and taking the bullet meant for him. The sound ofthe impact is sickening, and Revel stumbles back, clutching his upper arm as blood seeps through his fingers.
“Revel!” Cece screams, her voice breaking as she tries to rush toward him.
Sayshen grabs her arm, yanking her back toward the rocks. “Stay down!” he shouts, his voice sharp and commanding.
Reign’s roar cuts through the chaos as he charges the shooter, tackling the man to the ground with a force that sends both of them skidding across the sand. His fists fly, each punch landing with brutal precision, the sound of bone meeting flesh echoing in the air.
Talon draws his gun, firing at another of Owen’s men who’s trying to flank them. The man dives for cover behind one of the trucks, swearing loudly as the sand kicks up around him.
Wolfe steps in, his movements quick and calculated, landing a clean hit to another man’s jaw before grabbing his weapon and turning it on the remaining crew.
“Get down!” Wolfe shouts, his voice slicing through the chaos as he positions himself to cover the group.
I drop to my knees beside Revel, my hands pressing against his wound as I try to stop the bleeding. His grin is faint, his eyes glassy as he looks up at me.
“Don’t cry for me, short stack,” he mutters, his voice weak but teasing. “I’m too pretty to die.”
“Shut up,” I choke out, tears streaming down my face as I press harder. “You’re not dying. Do you hear me?”
Reign shouts something I can’t make out, his voice raw as he grapples with Owen’s men. Talon and Wolfe are firing in controlled bursts, forcing Owen’s men to retreat further toward the trucks.
Owen stands near the edge of the chaos, his gun still drawn, barking orders to his crew. His gaze locks on me for a splitsecond, and the malice in his eyes sends a fresh wave of fear through me.
My gaze shifts to a gun lying in the sand a few feet away. My hands tremble as I grab it, the weight unfamiliar but grounding.
“Lena, no!” Reign’s voice booms, but it’s too late.
I rise to my feet, the gun steady in my hands as I step forward. Owen turns, his grin faltering when he sees me.
“Put it down, sweetheart,” he sneers, raising his own weapon. “You’re out of your depth.”
“Not this time,” I whisper, my voice shaking but resolute.
The shot rings out, sharp and final.
Owen’s head snaps back, his body crumpling to the ground.
