“Well, that’s something you’ll have to ask Florian. Right now, I’ve got some things to take care of. So, if you’d like, you can wait here for him.”
As I turn on my heels, the sharp pain of her nails digging into my arm jolts me to a stop. I whip around, pulling my arm from her grip. My heart pounds in my chest when I come face-to-face with the cold, steel barrel of a gun.
Slowly, I raise my hands, taking a small step away, trying to put some distance between us.
Maybe I can run?
“Put the gun down.”
“I can’t do that,” she says, her eyes wild with fury. “He won’t answer any of my calls, and I’ve done everything to get his attention. So, if he wants to save you, he’ll have to come to me.”
My mind immediately went to Hugo, but he’s not expecting her. However, she doesn’t know that. Maybe the threat will get her to change her mind about whatever she has planned.
“You won’t get out of here alive.”
“Then you’ll die along with me. Head to the door. And don’t try anything. It will mess up my plans if I have to shoot you now.”
She pushes me toward the door, and I don’t resist. She’s crazy, and I have no doubt in my mind that she will kill me if I don’t comply.
“You don’t have to do this.”
She laughs, but her laughter is devoid of any joy or amusement, sending a chilling sensation through me. “Yes, I do have to do this, Arabelle. Like I said, he’ll come for you. Then, I can kill you, and we’ll live happily ever after.”
As soon as I open the door, I expect Hugo to make an appearance. When he does, he doesn’t have time to say anything or pull his gun because immediately, her gun goes off.
“Hugo!” Horrified, I scream as I watch blood collect around his limp body on the concrete.
“Get in the car!” she shouts, pushing me from behind. “Now!”
I can’t tear my eyes away from Hugo as he fights to catch his breath. “Hugo! Please!”
“Get in the fucking car!” she screams, diverting my attention from the man I’ve grown fond of.
“Please let him be all right,” I mumble.
“You need to be more worried about yourself. You have three seconds to get in the damn car, or you’ll join your friend sooner than I’d like.”
Without hesitating any further, I enter the car from the passenger side. “You drive,” she commands, and I maneuver over the center console to the driver’s seat. “Now go!”
I start the engine and drive down the driveway.
She keeps the gun pointed at me.
“You still have time to stop this because you won’t get away with this,” I say, making sure to keep my eyes on the road.
“Maybe I won’t, but if I can’t have him, then neither will you.”
I inhale deeply and exhale, allowing her words to sink in. Florian will come for me. I know he will. But I hope he’sprepared for me not to make it out of this alive. I realize I also have to accept this.
23
Florian
Pure rage consumes me as I listen to Didrick reveal how my father intentionally got him addicted to drugs, knowing I would try to save him. He only found out when he overheard Olan talking to my other brothers about it. What kind of parent would do that to their child?
“I’m sorry, Florian,” Didrick apologizes again. “I didn’t know. After the accident, I just wanted the pain to end, and after his doctor gave me the first hit, I just couldn’t stop.”
I firmly grip his shoulder. “This isn’t on you,” I assure him.
