“We going to get to it or just stand here and talk?” My fingers itch to reach for my gun. Four against one isn’t the best odds, but I’ll take as many as I can with me.
I have a vest on. I came as prepared as I could. If there’s the slightest chance I can survive this…
“I didn’t expect you to be so enthusiastic.” The one on the far left tilts his head to the side in thought.
“I did,” another laughs. “She’s a whore. And whores love to be used.”
“Only my husband can call me that.” I lift my chin with a smile.
They all laugh. “Well, we’ll make sure to call you that when he watches us fuck you.”
I fist my hands. Kashton will rip their heads off if I don’t do it for him.
“Come here.” The one on the far right turns and taps the Lords’ altar with his hand. The sound bounces off the high ceilings. “Get undressed and lie down like a good whore would do.”
“You didn’t think I’d be that easy. Did you?” I arch a brow.
Yes. They did. They expected me to be carried in by the guy that I killed in the motel room. He was sent to pick me up and deliver me by whatever means were necessary.
The sound of a gun cocking behind me has my pulse racing. Fuck. There’s another. He was probably outside, and I didn’t even bother checking. I was already running out of time. I spent too much time on the phone with Kash.
“Strip,” the distorted voice commands behind me.
I spin around and come face-to-face with a new Lord dressed in a cloak and mask, but they seem smaller, shorter. “No.”
A laugh carries from the mask-covered lips before “Take off your clothes!” is shouted at me, the gun pointed at my face shaking in their hand.
I stay where I’m at. If they want me naked, they’ll have to cut my clothes off me.
“Are you deaf?” The gun is shoved into my forehead, forcing me to arch my neck, and I swallow at the feel of the cold metal.
“I’ve been close to death before. It doesn’t scare me,” I say, trying to control my breathing. I’m terrified. Not for me but for Kashton. The longer I take, the more likely it is he’ll find me. What if he has a tracker on his car? Surely not. Or Haidyn and Saint would have found us while we were hiding out at Blackout.
The gun is lowered and a mocking laugh is hurled my way. “We’re not going to kill you. Not right now, anyway.” Then the gun is fired.
I lose my hearing first. There’s nothing but a loud ringing. Then the pain takes over. It’s like a hot flash but a million times worse. Blinking rapidly, I realize I’m on the floor in the middle of the aisle of the cathedral.
With shaking hands, I run my fingers over my right leg, and it’s wet. Lifting my hand, I see it’s covered in blood. A burning sensation takes over my chest, and I suck in a deep breath.
“Get her up,” the one who shot me orders. “Get her undressed and secured to the altar.”
I grip my thigh, trying to stop the bleeding, but it’s not going to do any good. I feel around, trying to see if it went through, but I can’t tell.
That burning intensifies as I’m grabbed from behind and yanked to my feet. Then I’m thrown over a shoulder and a scream is ripped from my lips as I’m hauled to the Lords’ altar. I should fight, but I’ve got to use this time to my advantage.
My adrenaline is pumping, but my blood pressure will drop with how much blood I’m losing. Right now, my body is in fight-or-flight mode.
“She’s wearing a vest.” The guy grunts at the feeling of the bulk of it digging into his neck and shoulder.
“So fucking remove it,” someone orders.
I’m tossed onto the altar and groan as they go to either side of the end and each grab an ankle. I roll over onto my side, reach behind me, and grab my gun. I get a shot off into one of them before they even notice.
The ringing returns, and I’ve lost all hearing once again. I don’t realize I’ve been shot a second time until I’m lying on the floor on the back side of the altar. Blood runs from my left arm, and I grit my teeth. At least I can hold the gun with my right hand.
Fuck. I’ve got to kill them before I die. I have to take them with me. I won’t leave them behind to hurt Kashton.
I get up and slam my back against the side of the altar, trying to calm my breathing and listen for any sign of movement, but my ears are ringing. Blood pools under me from the bullet wound in my thigh. I need to wrap my belt around it, but my left arm is useless, and I refuse to let go of my gun.
