“Why is he still here?” Nik mutters. “Why hasn’t he tried to take them?”
My lips tighten.
I know why.
Because he’s waiting for me.
I swallow. “He wants to win,” I whisper. Everyone turns to me. “He wants me to know that he’s won. That’s how he’s always been.”
I take another step, and Luc blocks my way. Indecision mars his handsome features. “You’re not going anywhere near that room, love,” he says hoarsely. “If that’s true, then he’s waiting for you.”
I wet my mouth. “If you go, he’ll kill you, Luc. Any of you. He won’t kill me.”
Nik’s hands land on my shoulders. “You’renotgoing in there, little bird.”
Bastien grunts his agreement. He sways, and Luc grabs hold of his arm, his face torn.
I brace myself, my eyes tracing their faces. “Luc… I wasn’t asking for permission.”
And then Imove.
Nik’s hands grab for me desperately and miss. “Ava – stop!”
Darting to the door of the nursery, I throw myself in, spinning to slam the door shut and pushing the lock. Nik’s fist pounds against it a scant second later as he roars my name.
Breathing heavily, I press my face against the wood, bracing myself to turn and face my father. Movement shifts behind me.
“864. It’s so kind of you to join our little gathering.” Stone’s voice is cold. “Turn around.”
Gritting my teeth, I force back my panic and turn slowly, my eyes scanning the room.
My heart stops as I lay eyes on my father.
“Nash,” I gasp. “Sweetheart.”
Tear tracks line Nash’s small face, his lip trembling as Stone pushes the muzzle of a gun under his chin.
“I’m glad you came in first,” he says mildly. “I would have shot the boy otherwise.”
Nash’s little face scrunches up, and I take a step forward.
“Ah, now.” Stone holds up his other hand. “Stay where you are.”
Leo and Emery are sleeping peacefully in their cots. My eyes flicker between them and Nash, desperately trying to think of a way to get them out of here.
“Let them go,” I try. “We can leave. They won’t stop us.”
Stone cocks an eyebrow at me. “And if I believed that, I’d be dead within a minute.”
He glances down at the cots. “Besides, I have what I need. And I have no further use for you.”
His hand lifts to grip Nash by the neck as he lifts the gun towards me, his face twisting into rage.
“Do you even know what you’ve done?” he spits. “You’ve ruined everything, you little bitch. Just like your mother.”
My sight zeroes in at the end of the gun pointing directly at me. “What about my mother?”
“She was the same as you. Didn’t know her place. Thought she could do better.” He cackles. “She learned, though.”
