Chapter 86
BLAIZE
The woman in my arms was breathtaking. I loved how perfect she felt pressed against me and how whole she made me feel.
Kadence was everything I needed after loss, and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my days loving this gorgeous woman.
The ring on her finger was the start of our future together.
She was already planning a big wedding, and she would have the wedding of her dreams. Kadence deserved everything in life, and I planned on giving it to her.
She was worth everything and more. I was the lucky bastard who was blessed to have her, even after I fucked up time and time again.
Kadence was my redemption. I wanted to give her everything life offered.
She was going to be the queen of my empire, and I would gladly fall to my knees for her.
My phone dinged on my nightstand, and I knew that text tone. I glanced at the time. It was eleven here, which meant it was two in Georgia. It wasn’t odd since Cinder and the Vipers were also night owls with the bar and other things, but why would she be contacting me now?
CINDER
We need to talk. Meet me outside.
I glanced at the text message. Why wouldn’t Cinder tell me she was coming to my town sooner?
I carefully moved Kadence from my arms before kissing her temple.
Cinder better have a good reason for being here, especially if she didn’t let me know.
I might like her, but I also didn’t like being in the dark.
Cinder cancelled several trades for an emergency in Georgia. I wanted to question her, and now I had my chance. We only traded every few months or when she and Melisa came to Westhaven. Melisa hadn’t been here in a few months just like Cinder, but I knew the two of them were still together.
Cinder was straddling her bike when I stepped outside. Melisa wasn’t with her. “Are you okay? Where is Melisa?”
“She doesn’t know that I’m here. None of the Vipers do.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
She sighed, running her hands through her short, blonde hair. “I need your help, and you need to promise me you won’t say anything unless I’m dead.”
Cinder was being cryptic, and I didn’t like agreeing to anything when I didn’t know what she was planning. She was a smart woman, but something told me she was being an idiot. Whatever she was doing, I had a feeling it involved her sister. Cinder always made rash choices when it came to her.
“What are you planning, Cinder?”
“I can’t say fully, not yet, but promise me, Blaize. You are one of the only people I trust with this.”
I didn’t know if I should be insulted or not because she loved Melisa, even if she wouldn’t admit it to the people who mattered to her most. Whatever she was doing was dangerous, and danger meant people would die. What the hell was she doing?
“Is it because you trust me or because you don’t want your people to get hurt?”
“Blaize, no one will come to Westhaven. And if they did, I know you will be able to handle yourself. You won’t be involved. I just need you to hold something for me.”
I arched my brow. “What?”
Cinder rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a small black flash drive. “Promise me you won’t do anything unless I am dead.”
“Cinder, what the fuck are you doing?”
“I’m protecting my sister. I failed her before, but I won’t fail her this time.”
I took the small flash drive from her. This little thing had information that could cost Cinder her life? “Cinder, you’ll have to give me more than just that.”
“I will, just not yet. Trust me, Blaize. I need to do this and I need your trust. Please.”
I narrowed my eyes on her, pocketing the flash drive. “If anything happens to any of my people because of this, I will kill you, Cinder.”
“If anyone dies, it’ll be me, Blaize.”