Chapter 25 In an ideal world, Ava would be tucked safely at home with Anna. Carrying my woman, I turn to Killian. "I need you to make certain my daughter is protected." Killian grimaces. "I can go, but then I'm not here to help you protect Ava." I feel Ava's shiver of fear as she shakes in my arms. "Send him to Anna," she whispers anyway. I look down at her, my heart rising into my throat. I can't even imagine how afraid she was today. That was her worst nightmare come to life. And even after all that, she's willingly sending Killian to protect my daughter? I knew that when Ava loved, she'd love with her whole heart. But it steals my breath to see the proof right before my eyes. I dip my head to kiss her, my mouth crashing into hers. I should be gentle. She's raw and vulnerable, but she doesn't stiffen or pull away. She kisses me back, her lips soft and pliant under mine. Every man my father blackmailed is dead. I know it makes me a killer, but it also protects their families. Men are soldiers, it's the women and children who need to be protected. It's a fact I've always understood. With their deaths, my father will not seek retribution. And just like I protected those unknown wives, mothers, children, I will protect my family. Ava and Anna will have my full protection even if it costs me my life. That is my code. And it is the code that I lead with here in Vegas. I lift my head, looking toward the line of trees. Beyond the small patch of woods are three tiny homes equipped with all the latest comforts. They're made for after The Hunt. The place a man can take the woman he's claimed to complete their bond. Cadence and Zane are in one of them now. Next to me, Tazz keeps pace, bruises blooming on his jaw and cheek. Tris already loaded the men too hurt to stay into his car to drop them at an emergency room. But the other Smith brothers have joined us. Gris, a man who moves with the skilled confidence of a trained fighter, is to my right. Beside him, Jake and Luke Kincaid. While Jake is the head of security, Luke is the primary muscle for Kincaid Enterprises. These men have been my rivals. Did I think I didn't like them? The fact that they are here speaks volumes about their characters. They operate under the same code as I do, and for that, they have my full allegiance. "You're certain you don't want me here?" Killian asks. "It's where the fight is likely to happen." "I'm certain," I nod at him. "Keep my daughter safe." With a nod, he veers off, disappearing almost instantly into the dark. I'm half tempted to send Ava with him. But transit will be dangerous and by my side is where she belongs. I'll die before I let my father hurt her. We enter the woods, the quiet making my senses sharpen as I search through the trees, watching and listening for danger. Our steps slow as my head swivels back and forth. Ava's hands tighten on my neck. I hold her closer as we traverse the narrow strip of woods between us and the cabins. My father is coming. I have no doubt. Trent was only the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the danger is under the water, waiting to emerge. The cottages appear ahead of me, the moonlight illuminating their outline. I hear the door to the left most cabin open, the vague shape of a man appearing in the doorway. "Zane." I call out. "It's Dimitri Ivanov." "What the fuck is going on?" he calls back, sounding anything but happy for the interruption. I sigh, stopping. Zane is a fierce fighter, and a man intent upon protecting his woman. He should not be underestimated. "Betrayal and war," I answer, tiredness creeping into my voice. A light turns on in the cabin, backlighting him, a woman appearing in the window. "Cadence," he rumbles. "I told you not to⁠-" "Cadence," Ava cries from my arms. "Cadence!" With a force I never imagined possible, Cadence shoves Zane to the side, sprints down the steps, and runs toward us. "Ava!" Ava drops from my arms, landing on her feet before she surges forward, nearly falling. "Cadence." It comes out as a half sob as she stumbles toward her friend. Zane starts after Cadence, and I fall in step behind Ava until the two women meet each other, wrapping their arms in a tangled embrace that is punctuated with blubbering words I can't understand. Zane meets my eye, looking completely bewildered. "What the..." Did he not understand what Ava actually meant to Cadence? I've been crystal clear on the depths Ava would go to help her friend. They are bonded in war, and while complicated, it's a bond that is nearly impossible to break. Knowing that Ava is capable of that kind of love is part of what makes her perfect for me. "They've been in the trenches together," I answer Zane's partial question, before I touch Ava's shoulder. "I want you inside, sweetheart. It's safer." I see her nod, even as Cadence's eyes jump up to mine, her gaze taking in every detail. I'm watching her right back. I know she and Ava are opposites in action, but they're also opposites in appearance. Ava is petite but curvy, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Cadence is tall and lean, built like a model with long, red hair and deep brown eyes that pierce into mine. While her features are very attractive, there is a hardness in every line that makes her look like a warrior. Ava pulls back, her arms still around Cadence. "Dimitri's right. Let's go inside." Cadence is still assessing me. "This is the guy you're dating?" "That's right." "Did he get you into this mess?" Cadence's lip curls. My own features harden. "Are you certain that wasn't you?" Her eyes narrow. "How dare⁠-" "Enough," Ava breaks in. While the word brokers no argument, the tone is soft, easy. "I chose to stay by Dimitri's side, Cadence." Cadence's gaze flicks to Ava and I watch her soften. "We've really got to talk about that, Ava. It's not healthy, how you pick people who lead you into trouble." Cadence grimaces at her own words and I realize she isn't talking about me, but herself. My shoulders unwind a bit, because I think we've understood each other. But they stiffen again, when I realize she's right. I have brought heaps of trouble to Ava's door. Ava releases Cadence with one arm, reaching a hand back to me. "We both know that if left to my own devices, all I would do all the time is work and worry." Cadence lets out a soft laugh. "Very true. But you could pick people who are run-of-the-mill dangerous. You know, someone who participates in petty theft because they're bored, not because they have anger and abandonment issues." Zane's hand comes to Cadence's back. "We're working on those." That's when I notice that Zane has a number of bruises all over his arms and face. Has he been having a tough time taming Cadence? Tazz must notice too, because he clears his throat. "Cadence, is it?" Zane brushes past Cadence and Ava, blocking them and standing at my shoulder. "Who is this fuck-face?" A half grin pulls at my lips. "Another contestant and here to help. Now, let's go inside where I can fill you all in on the details." Zane glares at Tazz. "Fine. But he stays outside." He points at Tazz, before his eyes sweep across the other assembled men. "And these fuckers too." I shake my head. "The rest of them are happily married, and we all need to understand what's coming. Everyone is coming inside." Zane's lip curls. "Fine." "Center house," I call out. "We need a plan and a careful inventory of the weapons at our disposal." Ava lets go of Cadence to spin back toward me. Wrapping my arm around her, I tuck her into my side, my lips dropping to her ear. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do to protect you, milaya. Have faith in that."