“No!” Elowyn screams, breaking my fucking heart. “Go. Just leave! Call the cops, just don’t. Please, go.”
Deep down, I know she doesn’t mean it. She doesn’t want the cops swarming in. Doesn’t trust anyone else.
Me.
Only ever me.
“Don’t worry,” I reassure her. “Everything’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”
“It will when you hold up your end of the deal.” It’s clear that Barclay’s lying, but I don’t give a fuck. He’s not making it out of here alive. “Yourbeloved’slife for your entire savings, remember?”
“I remember.” My bones ache. My blood pressure spikes to dangerous levels. Despite that, I pretend to be calm as I scan the room again. “Except…”
“Just give Barclay the money already.” Jayden wipes his meaty hands on his jeans. “No one was supposed to get seriously hurt. No one but you, Duncan, in case you said no.”
A lie coming from a desperate man’s mouth. Given the gasoline tanks I spot in the corner, I was never meant to get out of here alive.
“Which…” he continues. “We didn’t think you would. You always did what Barclay wanted. Same as the rest of us. So, end this. Right now. Just give him the money.”
“He’s lying.” Elowyn’s voice is hoarse from screaming. I fucking hate it. Fucking hate all of them. “Duncan, save yourself. Call the cops. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
Like hell I’m leaving her.
“I considered what you said on my way to this shithole.” With my SIG raised at Barclay now, it’s like the entire room freezes. “This deal isn’t working for me.”
“Duncan, no.” Elowyn’s eyes meet mine. Wide, shining, but alive. “Leave!”
Her plea seems to wake Barclay out of his trance. He flinches and grimaces as he makes a beeline to Elowyn’s chair. Before I get a good aim, he’s already behind her.
My world narrows to this bastard. To his hand that’s wrapped around his sister’s throat, how he hides like a coward.
“Let her go,” I command.
“Don’t touch me.” My brave girl wiggles, thrashing, doing everything to get him off her. She lands a hit with her head when she throws it back, wounding his bad shoulder. “Leave me the fuck alone, Barclay.”
Barclay winces. “Fuck you.”
When he fixes his eyes on me, a smirk curves on his ugly lips. It’s not hard to figure out why.
He thinks he’s safe.
For now, he is.
I can’t pull the trigger while he hides behind her, using her as a shield. And Elowyn won’t be able to break free on her own. One look at her ankles tells me everything I need to know. The restraints are the same ones we used on Ross Harker, a man twice her size and strength.
I try again, aim my gun higher, just like this, in this angle, then maybe?—
I can’t get a shot. Fuck.
Fuck.
“Get him, Vic,” Barclay snarls.
“No!” Jayden calls out, but it’s too late. “He’s got a gun, dammit!”
Victor, whether looking for a fight or high on adrenaline, doesn’t listen to his cousin. He charges forward, his boots pounding on concrete.
I shift my stance, SIG locked on Victor’s face.
