Page 74 of Microburst

“Iwent to find the judge and warn him that I knew. But I found him in an illegal gambling den getting a beating because he owed a lot of money to the wrong people. So all I did wascall the police. That’s it. I did my civic duty, and you—seriously, you’re all disgusting.”

Both my dragons actually swooned that he took the blame for it. Me too, but… All three of us were on the same page.

“To be fair, I was right behind you, but you got the tip first,” Fraser said. “And I like you better now.”

They shared a look and snorted at the gag.

I looked back at Kole. “You should have apologized—beggedfor my forgiveness like any sane person and not kept on this path. Not bragging that you trained me and so many lies that everyone now laughs at you and I cannot let this go.” I looked at his parents. “You should have done what you promised and anything useful to control this situation.

“No, you constantly lie out your asses.” I looked specifically at Vex. “You were never sorry. You never cared what he did or for me. You are honestly the worst of the three to me.” I nodded when they all seemed shocked. “Over and over again acting like the loving—you lied to all of us.” I gestured between Kole, Hanna, and me. “And you threatened to kill your own family.

“There’s no forgiving you, and beyond this being personal, I no longer have any faith in you being in charge of Applerest.” I kept nodding when he went pale. “I warned you that this was bigger than my dating Kole. You went up there and tried to play off what Sunborough’s Alpha did and it was to con my citizens, Vex.

“So fuck you and you’re out. Maybe not today, buthear methat you’re out. None of your kids will be Alpha after this and your fucking son threatened to kill mine or rape them and you pushed for no jail time and then your mate worked with the judge to even make that go away. That’s fucking war against my family and my position.

“So now I’ll take yours. Now I’ll take youreverything, and unlike you fucking idiots, I’m competent and powerful and willmake it happen. You put all your chips on a lame horse thinking you absolutely knew the situation whennone of yousee Kole clearly—including himself—nor understand who I am.”

“Praise the gods, child,” Belinda chuckled, but also meant it. “Educate the blind.”

“Not helping,” Maple quietly chastised. “I mean, funny and accurate, but not helping.”

Neither was that.

I glared at Hanna. “I wasn’t the unpretty princess they sent away to transform into a model, you shallow cow. I was the royal family’s golden ticket to get out from under the elders and put the Alphas in their places, but I needed time to grow into that role and not have bitches like you beat me up like you do every woman in Thovudin like my mother.”

“Don’t,” Fraser bit out, his voice cold.

“Let him,” I snickered when I realized it was because he’d sensed something from Kole. I smirked at my former lover. “Why not add one more charge? You hitting me after what happened in court—you’ll turn ancient in prison. Fuck, please try it.” I laughed when he realized I could be right. “Enjoy prison. You thought I was your bitch? You’ll see what a bitch really is there.”

I turned to leave and could not believe what Vex had the balls to say to me.

“Please, Sagan, please just have this last mercy and settle the lawsuit with us and we’ll make Kole do the deal and serve a sentence,” Vex begged.

I blinked and Onyx was there beating on his brother until Fraser, Maple,andKole dragged him off.

“You don’teveruse her name trying to play her,” Onyx seethed. “You’re dead to me, Vex.Saganis right and I should never have forgiven you threatening my life, but—I can’t forgive this. You don’t care about the Conley family, justyourimmediate family and power. You don’t even care about Applerest. Father and Grandfather would be ashamed.”

That landed a blow, but there was one thing I needed to say before I answered Vex.

“It’s so unfair that you keep getting to beat their asses and I don’t,” I grumbled.

He was suddenly there, kissing me deeply, and I let it happen. Not a long one, and not over the top like his tongue down my throat just… Emotional. Him showing who he stood with and how much he cared.

I guess I was showing the same thing by allowing it? It was the message I meant to send.

Then I squared off with his older brother and someone I used to respect. “You should have thanked me for still not going for thedeath penalty, but instead still demanded more after how—you didn’t care how anything played out and hurt me or my credibility, Vex. You used up all your favors, goodwill, and chances with me. Choke on the result.”

Hanna grabbed my arm when I turned away, and I did what I’d been wanting to do since the first time I’d met her… Punched her right in the nose. It wasgloriousand she landed on her ass looking ridiculous in her pretty dress and shocked expression.

“No one in your family ever touches me again.” I pointed at Onyx when he opened his mouth. “Except you. When I say so.”

“Just wanted that clear for your family to hear,” he mumbled.

I walked out of there even when Kole’s parents called after me, Vex begging and Hanna demanding me to wait, that the discussion wasn’t over. I accepted when Onyx wanted to hold my hand and winked at Treena when I joined up with her in the hall.

I let out a slow breath as I met the curious gaze of the attorney who was handling all of this for me. “Release it all. Everything we have, even the stuff dropped in our laps. Ina filing, but also to the police. I want those bribed media personalities and networks—all of them.”

He slowly grinned. “We’re going to war.”