“Go!” Eagle directs two of the Iron Norsemen to stop Brick.
Another hit…
“Christ, Brick,” the older brother says, trying to get him off Silver.
“Come on, man,” the second kneels beside Brick. “As is, he’s gonna need a hospital and reconstructive surgery.”
Together, the brothers manage to drag Brick back a couple of feet. He’s limp in their grasp, bloodied and sweat-soaked—fury seeping out of every pore.
I fall to my knees, a cramp in my side. That’s when I see Checkers come at me, his pistol drawn. He reaches me and holds the end of the barrel to my temple. “Should have done this a long time ago.” He cocks the weapon.
I hold my breath as my gaze shoots to Brick. He’s the last face I want to see before I leave this world—my only piece of happiness—my only chance at love. “I love you,” I whisper.
“Love who?” Checkers spits.
Brick scrambles to his knees, his .45 aimed at Checkers. “Let her go. Now.”
“Don’t do it,” I yell at Brick. “Let me go. Let me die.” I can’t live like this anymore. I won’t, even if I have to pull the trigger myself. I grab ahold of the end of Checkers’ gun, making sure it stays pressed against my temple. I won’t let innocents die for me, especially Brick. “Do it. You’ve always wanted to.”
Our gazes lock, and somehow, through the haze of fear and anger, I recognize a look of surprise and respect in Checkers’ eyes, though he’ll never admit it.
“Do it. Please.” Now I’m pleading and begging. Maybe if I die now, I’ll meet my mother in heaven, maybe purgatory—though hell is a more fitting pace. A better place than this cruel life.
“Drop your weapon,” Eagle demands.
Checkers doesn’t budge, neither does Brick. All three of us could die if Eagle gives the command. His club matters, not us.
“Lower your fucking gun,” Brick calls out.
“Can’t do it.” Checkers eyes Silver lying motionless on the ground. “Regardless of the outcome here, Starlet is gonna die for this. There’s no coming back, sweetheart.” I feel his fingers shift on the trigger, hear another click and wait for the boom.
Only thing, the boom isn’t from his gun.
As Checkers falls, I hear, “I claim Starlet Vega as my old lady.”
