Page 207 of Our Thing Duet
I flinch, curling into Max.
Butch stares at Konnor, anger like I've never seen before raging in his eyes. "He was going to use you against me," he hisses. "He knew this whole time."
Clay uncrosses his legs, leans forward onto his knees, and cups his forehead. "Fuck." Concern shines through a crack in his usually guarded and emotionless manner.
"You know what this means? Made-men don't lie to made-men," Xander says, standing up. "Jimmy broke a vow. This is war."
War...
I start to scratch a layer of pink polish off my nail. War means casualties, and I only just got Max back. Before I can object, Bronson steps forward, rousing our attention.
He grins and it's anything but nice. "Not for you, Xander."
Xander frowns at his big brother, but Bronson just continues, shifting his gaze to each of us. "This means nothing for any of you. Be good little Butchers." He shares a meaningful exchange with Max and Clay. "Work for the city. Stay clean. Be family men."
Nodding his agreement, Butch states, "Nothing changes. We plant ourselves in the city. We let Jimmy think he's the head and?—"
"The fish rots from the head." Bronson winks at Max. "One of his favourite sayings...I'mgoing to be the rot. I'm going to deteriorate that fucker. And he won't even know that it's happening."
"Dustin is mine," Max says through a low growl while my breath shudders at the mention of his name.Dustin.
"No," Butch bites out. "I won't see you lose more years and you can't leave the District while you're on parole. They will have eyes on yo?—"
"I'll hunt him down for you, my beautiful brother. Bring him to you," Bronson states, vengeance playing with his wicked smirk.
Offering Konnor a quick glance, wanting to reach out to someone on my wavelength, I find only determination in his eyes. A flare of acceptance. He's ready for the people who hurt him to pay for their crimes. I blink at these dangerous men I call my family. And I feel my lips curl, curl up into a smile.
I'm ready for that too.
My mother once told me that 'if you avoid conflict to prevent a battle, you often start a war in your heart.'
My heart belongs to Max. And Iamwilling to support him in this battle. His family—my family—is the most powerful family in the District, and they don't need to bully the innocent. Taunt the lambs and the deer. They don't hurt people like me. Butch should be at the head. At that thought, my heart picks up pace. I want to watch him put a torch to the District's web of lies because now I know exactly who will burn along with it...
Jimmy Storm.
I softly stroke my fingernails down Max's forearm, over the red and black tattoos, little hairs rising in response to the gentle stimulation. His sigh rumbles behind my spine.
I'm with you, Menace.
To the end.
