Moving the slide on her weapon, she was locked and loaded. “Go ahead and find out.”
Another line drawn in the sand.
“Who were you talking to?” she asked, cocking her head and her eyes never blinking.
“My brother. Just a warning of sorts.”
“A warning. Meaning?”
He had no intention of answering her. “I care about you, Sophia.”
“That means nothing to me.”
He could tell she was serious, anger boiling just underneath the surface. He’d gambled and lost. “Fair enough.” Holding up his hands, he gave her a single nod. “Are you calling for backup?”
“Already done. They’ll be here any minute.”
He hadn’t seen her phone but took her at her word. She was indeed formidable.
At least two full minutes passed by.
Exhaling, Wrath scanned the room. “For what it’s worth, this was the most enjoyable moment of my life.”
“Not worth much.”
He took another calculated step toward her. “Can’t we work this out?”
Aiming for his kneecap, she made a tsking sound. “My bullet will shatter your knee and there won’t be a surgeon in the entire world able to put it back together. That won’t bode well in prison.”
“Fine, Agent Waters. Have it your way.” He placed his hands behind his head and stood at full attention. “I won’t cause you any additional trouble.”
She had the gun in both hands, a look of absolute business on her face.
But her eyes told another story.
The second she changed position, he reached into his shirt, yanking the second gun taped to his shoulders. Another creakcoming from the hallway drew both their attentions and within seconds, everything happened in slow motion.
“Fuck!” she exclaimed, taking two giant steps forward.
Wrath positioned his weapon at the doorway, chuckling under his breath. “I should have known you’d be ready for any sign of weakness, prepared to take the recently evicted seat on the throne.”
The man’s calculated risks had almost paid off. As Gabriel eased out from the shadows, he offered a single nod of his head. “Brother. You are well aware weakness cannot be ignored.”
Sophia recoiled, darting her glance from one man to the other. “What the hell is going on here?”
“Agent Waters. Allow me to introduce you to my brother, Gabriel. He was tasked to exact punishment for a series of what the consortium would call atrocities.” Wrath could see the confusion on her face. “Once they learned about your existence, they had no intention of allowing you to live and they certainly didn’t trust I would carry out the act of performing your execution.”
She kept her arms straight in front of her as she crept closer. “Then I have the joy of taking you both in.”
“Cold-blooded bitch,” Gabriel said, laughing.
“Intelligent,” Wrath countered.
“Both of you, drop your weapons. There is no place for you to run any longer. You are under arrest. I suggest you do as you’re told. I also refuse to accept any bullshit.” Sophia’s words were clipped.
Only Wrath knew she was struggling with her decision.
Wrath had once revered his older brother, worshipping everything about him. Then the darkness had taken away bits of Gabriel’s soul, much like what had happened to Wrath. Jealousy had prevailed, retaliation much more important. Gabriel locked eyes with Wrath, leaving a wash of memories and images rushing into the back of his mind.
