↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ー 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘

𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈 ー 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐰 '𝐞𝐦

◉

Dropping the bags into the backseat and climbing into the front, the engine purrs as Sierra clips on her seatbelt. A yelp passes her lips when bloody hands bang against the window and a wounded man leans against the door.

"What the hell?" she shrieks after dropping the window. "Who the hell are you?"

"Please," he grunts. "I'm a friend of the Romans. I work with themー I need to speak to them."

"What happened?"

"I'm being hunted. Please. You have to help me. Please, before they find me." He worriedly glances to the end of the street.

"How do I know I can trust you? So many of you have tried to kill me."

"I'm unarmed." He opens his jacket. "This is for you." He then clutches his side again. "I know someone who wants to hurt you. I can stop him I just need toー" He coughs. "I need to speak with them. Please they were right behind me."

"Okay, get in." He breathes a thank you and practically falls into the passenger seat. His eyes are glued to the mirror as she speeds away. "What's your name?"

"Reece."

"Okay, Reece, I'm gonna say this once. If this is a trick and you are doing this to try to kill me it won't end well."

"It's not a trick." He leans his head against the seat. "My loyalty is to them. I owe them my life. I saved Kaden years ago. To thank me he recruited me and protected my family. I saw them earlier today. They're happy. They're healthy. That's all I ever wanted."

"Kaden helped," she echoes.

"Gave my family more than enough money to help them get by. My kids were so happy. They couldn't stop smiling."

Sympathy draping across her face, she forces the pedal further down. Arriving at the house relatively swiftly, Reece manages to climb out and reach the steps but loses his balance.

"Alright. I got you." Sierra wraps his arm around her shoulders to help him through the door. "Kaden! Grayson!"

Within seconds the brothers are exiting the corridor with curiosity flashing across their faces.

"Reece?" Kaden frowns.

"It's good to see you both." He smiles through the repulsive metal invading his tongue. Red staining his teeth and flooding between them.

"What happened?" He tries to check him over but Reece pushes his hand away.

"It's too late for me. Listen." He brings a hand to Kaden's shoulder. "Lace wouldn't accept. We tried but he justー he just wouldn't listen. He's rebelling. He's meeting contacts at his old apartment toーtonight. You gotta take him out. Before he comes after this kind soul." He looks to Sierra. "Promise me."

He nods. "I promise."

"Put his stubborn ass in the ground where he belongs." He groans faintly. "Thank you for everything." Another strained word has him coughing, knees giving way beneath him.

Instinctively Kaden catches him and carefully lowers him to the floor. Grayson crouches to check him over. Wearily looking at his brother, Sierra steps closer. Kaden's head is inclined when Reece takes his final breath.