My eyes stung, but then I saw Drew.
The moment our eyes met, something in me settled. My heart still raced but slower, as if it was working to find a steady rhythm.
He walked forward slowly and steadily. “She’s not yours,” Drew spat out, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Diego laughed, wild and desperate. “Funny,” he shouted. “Because she’s right here with me.” He held me closer, but I felt the way his whole body trembled with fear.
“I know that taking girls and women against their will is your thing, but you chose the wrong woman this time.” His gaze was pure fire. It was a burning, white-hot rage, so furious I almost felt sorry for Diego.
Almost.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His grip tightened.
Drew flashed a half-smile, slowly closing the distance between us. “You don’t know Maria Sanchez-Martin? I bet you also don’t know Lisa Calhoun or Tameka Donaldson?”
Diego froze but only for a second. “Never heard of them.”
“Funny,” Drew barked out a laugh. “Selina Gonzalez? Yeah, you know her, don’t you? She’s the niece of one of your lieutenants, right?”
“Ha!” He threw his head back and laughed, jostling both of us. “I guess we all look alike to you, eh?”
Drew shook his head. “Not at all, but your boy Halloran wasn’t as loyal as he seemed. He collected a lot of evidence on your afterhours activities. Photos. Videos. DNA.”
“Fucking liar!”
Drew shrugged, still making his way towards us. “How would I know those names? Never even been to your bumfuck backward-ass state.”
“Well, he’s dead now so it don’t fucking matter!”
“Is he?” Drew teased, brows arched. He looked so relaxed but the stiff set of his shoulders and the way his free hand balled into a fist told me he wasn’t at all chill. “Wanna bet your freedom on it?”
“Don’t take another fuckin’ step,” he shouted, and pressed his gun to my temple.
Everything slowed except my heart. My mind raced with memories from my life, both good and bad, and I couldn’t seem to shut them off. I could only watch as the next few seconds unfolded over an eternity.
Drew’s eyes widened and then focused on the metal pressed to my temple. His body seemed to relax, and he didn’t hesitate as he lifted his weapon. “Last chance, Ruiz.”
“No. You kill me, you kill this bitch. Do it.” He taunted Drew, hoping to scare him into backing down.
Drew smiled. “You don’t know me well enough to say that. But if you insist.” He took aim and fired. Twice.
The sound was thunderous. Blood sprayed warm against my skin. Diego’s grip loosened as he fell, dragging me down with him. I screamed.
Then hands were on me. Strong and familiar.
Drew hauled me up, his voice low and steady in my ear, pulling me back into the here and now. “I’ve got you. You’re okay. You’re safe, Mace.”
I clung to him as Diego lay still on the floor.
Dead.
The threat was over.
At least I hoped it was.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Vandal
