“She was Asher’s, which makes her a Flynn,” Gable says, and my heart clenches at the words. He’s likely only saying it to save my life, but it warms me regardless.
“A technicality,” Z says. “I’m not passing up a million.”
My blood chills to the point of ice. “A million?” I whisper.
Gable shakes his head. “Impossible. She was half a mil last I checked.”
“Well, she’s gone up.” Z looks at the silent brother. “Y, show him the message.”
X, Y and Z. Inventive.
Y finally drags his attention from me, takes out his phone, and shows Gable whatever is on the screen.
Gable runs a hand across his mouth, his knuckles already bruising from the fight.
“Count yourself lucky,” Z says. “You’ve gone up, too. I could be cashing in close to two million, but I’m a man of my word. Grab her, X.”
Gable moves in front of me. “I’m fucking serious, Z. You cannot have her. You want her, you have to kill me first.”
Z stares at Gable, frowning gently. “You can’t expect me to walk away from cash like this.”
“If you have any respect for me, or Asher’s memory, you will.”
A moment passes between the two men, one I don’t understand, one almost overshadowed by the violent beating of my heart as my fate is decided. Because Gable will fight for me, but there’s every chance he’d die for me, and I’d be taken anyway.
I’d rather go willingly than have another Flynn life on my conscience.
Z lifts his chin. “I hope she’s worth it, Gable.”
“Are you fucking kidding?” X says, gesturing toward us. “Then what did I get my ass kicked for?”
“Shut up and get in the car,” Z says, stepping back to let his brother pass. X mumbles a few colorful words under his breath and storms out, and Y gives me a small, bashful smile before following X.
Motor relaxes but remains close. Z doesn’t leave, choosing instead to fold his arms and watch me. “Lotta people after you, little lady.”
I feel myself pale. “So I’ve heard.”
He narrows his eyes, as if examining me. “Who did you piss off?”
“She didn’t do anything. It’s a misunderstanding,” Gable says.
Z laughs. “To the tune of a million dollars? Come on, Flynn.”
“I’m being serious. She’s got nothing to do with this world; she just got caught up in this shit,” Gable says. “Why else do you think I’m protecting her?”
Z’s smirk is slow and knowing, and his piercing green gaze glides down my body.
“I can’t imagine why else,” he says dryly, and my cheeks warm. “You owe me, Flynn.”
He leaves, and I scramble over to the bathroom and throw my guts up.
Chapter 28
Gable
Another flush of the chain, but I haven’t heard any puking for the last eight minutes, so that’s a good sign. Motor is dozing beside me, snoring softly, and I’ve been trying to process the last fifteen minutes or so.
We’re lucky it was Z and his brothers and no one else. I should have been more prepared for someone to follow us, but I thought I was careful enough with the route. Clearly not.
