Him. Not them.
The Raider with the scar takes a step forward and holds my chin. “Are you the special one?”
“There’s nothing special about me, but thereissomething special about those who will be coming to hunt you down.”
He snorts. “We’ll be long gone by then, and you’ll have other things to worry about in Denver.”
The word hits like a blow. “You came all this way to take me to Denver?” None of this makes sense.
“That’s what I said.”
“If this is about me, then let these two go. I’ll come peacefully.”
“Yeah, like you can come unpeacefully.” He glances between Josh and Trey, my stomach tightening at his nasty glare. “Why’d you bring these two?”
“They were with him,” the leader of the guards says. “We couldn’t ask him to come alone.”
The Raider shrugs. “I’m not here for them. Take them back.”
“We’re not taking anyone back.”
I see where this is going, and my blood grows hot like lava. Before I can charge, two of the Raiders raise their weapons at me.
I compose myself, though it’s difficult to think straight knowing where things are heading. “Take them with you to Denver. Giving up on a chance to bring in two more Defenders is crazy.”
The Raider narrows his eyes. “Yeah, that’s true, but we don’t have room for all three of you.” His smile is the ugliest sight I’ve ever seen.
“Then leave one of your men behind,” I say, trying hard not to panic. “One of us is worth more than one of you.”
The rest grumble angrily, but I don’t fucking care. All three of us must stay together—the alternative is unacceptable.
The scarred Raider shakes his head. “Nah, my men stick together. Go ahead and choose which one of your friends gets to come with us and who dies here.”
“The fuck I will!”
The butt of a rifle hits the back of my head. I lose my footing and drop to my knees. They lower Josh and Trey on either side of me.
“You better do what he says,” the leader of the guards says, but I can barely hear her through the ringing in my ears.
“Hey, I’m fine with killing both,” the scarred Raider says. “Less of a hassle.”
“Caden.”
I turn to look at Trey. He tries to smile, but it’s the saddest smile in the world. “It’s okay.”
“Shut up. Help!Help!”
The fuckers laugh, and the scarred Raider says, “Choose one or I’m getting rid of both.”
“Caden.”
“I’m not—”
“You’re never going to pick Josh. It’s fine, brother. When you get the chance, kill these motherfuckers for me.”
My throat is too tight to speak. I’m never going to forgive myself for this, but Trey is right—it can’t happen any other way.
“Do we have a decision?” the Raider asks impatiently.
