Page 187 of After the Burn

His kingdom was vulnerable.

“I’m done.” He stated.

Nash looked at him in confusion. “With what?”

“Both of them. No bitch is worth this kind of trouble.”

My stomach tightened. Fuck. I glanced over at Wren, dreading to see the blame in her eyes. But of course, there was none. Just a look of love and understanding.

Caesar pointed at Wren first. “She played us.”

“Technically, you played yourselves,” Wren smirked.

He backhanded her, and her head snapped sideways.

Everything inside me went cold, and I lunged. The enhanced men holding me barely managed to keep their grip. “Touch her again, you bastard, and I’ll kill you.”

Caesar looked at me. “You could have been my queen.”

“I’d rather have a cactus stuck up my ass.” I growled.

Wren straightened slowly, blood appearing at the corner of her mouth. She looked more irritated than frightened.

That’s my girl.

Caesar studied me for another second, regret clear in his eyes, then waved toward his men. “Take them.”

Nash pushed himself upright. “Give Taryn to me.”

Caesar glanced at him, then at his ruined wrist. “You sure?”

A couple of men laughed, and Nash’s expression turned murderous. “Give her to me,” he repeated through gritted teeth.

Caesar’s brows lifted. “Why should I?”

Nash wiped blood from his mouth with the back of his good hand. “She’s my son’s woman.”

“And?”

He wasn’t getting it, but I was afraid I was.

“I want to see just what he finds so fascinating.” Nash sneered.

My skin crawled.

Caesar laughed. “That’s fucked up, even for me.”

Wren went still beside me.

One of the men behind her flashed a sly grin. “And the crazy bitch?”

Caesar shrugged. “Do whatever you want.”

I glanced at Wren again, but she looked calm…maybe a little too calm. Then I saw her right hand disappear behind her back.

I felt my heart stutter. She still had the radio!

Adrian had been very specific. If we needed them, hold the transmit button. No talking required.