Page 80 of To Curse A Knight

Thankfully, Lauchlan had killed Carmen. I would have preferred to put the bullet into her brain myself, but seeing Aaron bleeding out had made me panic. It was bad enough when I had to keep sharp eyes on Hillary’s every movement to keep her safe—now I had two people to worry over. When I wasn’t being a prick about it, I didn’t want Lauchlan dead either, though the man was a complete menace to everyone around him.

I wanted to blame him for Aaron’s injuries, but I’d seen how fierce Aaron was when he wanted something. The Rodriguez family had been allies with the Carlos Cartel for decades, and I’d watched from a distance as Aaron grew into a feared man as he took over his family’s brothel businesses. Lauchlan was his patsy—he would have found a way there, with or without him.

Which meant we’d just gotten on top of one enemy, and had sped up the wrath of the other,biggerenemy. And as long as I stayed close to Hillary, they’d be in the direct line of fire when Antonio decided I was no longer useful.

I’d protected her from too much to get her killed now.

Hillary Lane was the woman I would die for; the woman I’d risk everything to save. I’d been running from my feelings for years. Why was it only when the world was falling around me, I could finally get my head out of my ass and admit I loved her?

But loving something meant letting it go. There was no way I could fight by her side in battle and be the sword and shield she’d claimed me to be. I would need to bring the war front to Antonio and leave her entirely out of it. She couldn’t wage war on an enemy already dead.

First though, I needed to know Aaron was okay. Hillary would kill me herself if I left her alone with the corpse of her lover and the cocky leprechaun for company. But then…

My phone rang again, its shrill sound breaking through my racing thoughts. I glanced at it, preparing myself for Killer’s number and how I was going to respond. But it was Antonio’s name flashing across the screen.

Fuck. Either I answered this and faced him like a man, or I cowered in the darkness until he found me like Carmen had found Aaron. My fate was now sealed in blood either way.

I answered the phone with a barking command. “Yes, sir?”

The familiar velvety tone came through the line.

“You have chosen your side,traidor.” My father’s voice held grim menace, a solemn vow of retribution. “I hope you are prepared to die for it. Your brothers are coming for you.”

Our Knight is on his last legs, but if they manage their moves, the King and Rook might save him.