What the fuck is it with these people and babies?
“If you don’t want me to kill Jamie, Kellan, or Kylan, you’re going to do exactly what you’re told,” she demands, and my chest gets tight at the mention of their names.
I take a deep breath, trying to combat the building panic. Before, I would call bullshit, but after Antonio, I know the guards might not all be loyal to the Fraternitas.
“Don’t you start your shit, Ariah,” she shouts.
“How could you ever threaten your own kids?” Disgust oozes from my words. This woman is beyond vile.
Elise looks amused by my confusion. “They were spares and nothing else. If you weren’t necessary, you’d be dead.”
Rage engulfs me, and I spring from my seat, tackling her to the table. I land on top of her, wrapping my hands around her throat. “I’m going to end your miserable life, you heartless bitch,” I grit through clenched teeth.
Her nails claw at my hands, but I refuse to be deterred. I’m going to end her.
I’m so focused on strangling the miserable life out of Elise that I don’t hear the door open or the footsteps approaching until it’s too late. I’m hauled off just as I watch a blood vessel pop in her left eye.
“You fucking brat,” she rasps, sucking in air.
I see my handprints around her neck and smile in satisfaction. It’s unfortunate I was pulled off her. I’m sure I could’ve killed her if I had a few more minutes.
“Sit her ass down and leave us. I’ll take it from here, Antonio,” Elise instructs, and I’m carted back to my seat.
“You fucking traitor,” I shout.
“We all have roles to play,” Antonio mutters before turning and exiting the room.
Elise stalks back to the other side of the table, ensuring something separates us. I’d say it was a smart decision, but it won’t keep her safe. I’ve already decided she dies tonight.
“You’re trying the last of my patience, Ariah. You’ll do what you’re told, or you’ll be responsible for the death of your siblings. I’m done playing games with you,” she hisses.
Over her bullshit, I bend, pretending to tie my shoe, and reach for the blade but come up empty. The holster is there. There’s just no knife.
I’m yanked up by my hair. “Did you think I wouldn’t search you?” Elise taunts. “You’re just starting. I’ve been at this for decades.”
Pitching forward, I clench my teeth, using her hold on my hair as leverage to flip her over my back. She lands with a thud, and I punch her in the throat, forcing her to release my hair. Her hands clasp her neck before her legs swing up, and her booted foot connects with my face.
I tumble back before rolling to my feet.
“You’re going to fucking pay for that. I’m going to make sure the same thing happens to those little brats that I made happen to Owen,” Elise snarls.
What she had done to Owen?I don’t have enough time to process her words before she charges me. I’m ready for her attack, and once she’s in range, I jump, scissor-kicking her, and she stumbles backward but doesn’t go down.
She shrieks in frustration, grabbing the glass and breaking it on the side of the table. “Fuck this. You’re not worth the trouble. I’ll figure out another way. Jamie will be eighteen soon enough. What’re a few more years?”
“You’ll be dead long before Jamie hits her teens,” I snap.
We dance around each other. I parry her attempts until I see her tiring. Then, I slap her lazy thrust away, knocking the shard of glass from her bloody hand, and side-kick her.
I’m on top of her before she fully hits the ground.
Grabbing the shard, I yank her up by her roots and aim the broken glass at her exposed throat.
“I hope you enjoy hell,” I scream, pressing the serrated edge to her throat. The door bursts open just as I feel the glass cut her skin.
“Stop.”
62
