Page 19 of Vows of Ruin

My jaw tightens. I remember the way she shattered back then, like glass cracking from the inside. I thought she would never put herself back together again.

I take a breath. “Then we do it. All of us. I don’t ever want to see you break like that again.”

Max nods beside me. “Agreed.”

Riot groans but shrugs. “Fine. This is how I wanted to start my morning, with a scalpel to the neck.”

Doc sighs. “Small-ish needle, no scalpel.”

Torque mutters something about being microchipped like a fucking pet, but no one protests.

Wrenley lets out a long breath, then gestures to Doc. “Okay, Kitchen’s prepped. Doc will take you one at a time.”

Elias snorts. “Unlike Margot and Wrenley.”

Margot glances sideways at him. “Keep it up, and I’ll go back to one at a time.”

That makes Elias stop talking faster than I’ve ever seen.

One by one, we move. Wrenley squeezes my hand before I go. I watch her as I sit down for the procedure. She’s standing taller now, steadier. Like knowing we’re all protected gives her the one thing she never really had growing up. Control. I'll gladly give her that, gladly.

It’s quick, base of the neck, just under the skin. Barely a sting, it’s nothing compared to what we’ve all survived. Hell, I’d let her carve the damn thing in herself if it meant she could sleep at night.

I catch Wrenley talking quietly with Torque and Doc in the corner of the room. Whatever it is, her expression is serious, lips tight, eyes hard. Torque is nodding slowly, arms crossed over his chest, while he just listens all clinical calm. I make a note to ask her about that later.

Hugo lifts his head from Wrenley’s feet and lets out a low growl. Everyone tenses, eyes swinging toward the door. I’m already half way there when a sharp knock sounds.

I open the front door to find Donnie standing on the porch, still in his Black Crown security shirt, looking like he sprinted here. He lifts a plain manila envelope between his fingers like it’s something dirty.

“Hey, boss. Just finished my shift at the Crown. This was dropped off by a courier. Asked for Wrenley by name.” he says handing it over.

I nod, taking the envelope. “Who’s on duty now?”

“Cash,” Donnie replies.

“Keep your phone close.”

“Yes sir.” He dips his chin and disappears down the path.

I shut the door and turn, the weight of the envelope heavy as lead in my hand. Wrenley sees it immediately and goes still. Rigid.

Her eyes meet mine across the room. “Read it,” she says, voice flat.

I step into the living room and break the seal.

Inside is a folded piece of thick, ivory stationery. The handwriting is neat, precise, and practiced. It makes my skin crawl.

Wrenley,

I think it’s time we meet, don’t you? River Oaks Greenhouse. 3 p.m.

Come alone.

I have a proposition for you. This could be the start of a beautiful relationship.

-S.M.

Relationship. Fuck. My blood turns to ice. I hand her the note without a word, but I can already see the storm brewing in her eyes.