“I’ll take my chances,” I mutter.
Nick looks down at Flynn, then at the money. “Bring the girl,” he says calmly as two guards grip Jax by her upper arms, cutting her free from the chair and dragging her across the space between us.
When she’s close enough to touch, Nick brushes a hand against her cheek as Jax winces, pulling away from him.
Nick's eyes find mine, and they’re shrewd and calculating all of a sudden. “She must be one hell of a fuck,” he murmurs. “Why would I give up the chance to experience it for myself?”
Flynn writhes against the guards, but they’re holding him down tight. I can sense Nick’s hesitation, knowing I won’t be able to persuade him without a bit of risk involved.
“How about we flip for it?” I say grimly. “Winner gets the girl.”
Nick really laughs then. “Oh, sweetheart,” he says, turning to Jax. “Even I would value you more than a coin toss.”
“Plus another hundred grand,” I say as Nick turns back to me quickly, his eyes flicking to the money again.
“Well then. That might be worth a bet. Not even this piece of ass is worth that,” he says, slapping her on the aforementioned ass as Jax lunges at him with a scream that chills my blood. The guard behind her grips her tight, as the other pulls out a gun, aiming it at her to keep her quiet.
Keeping one hand raised, I put my hand slowly into my inner jacket pocket, pulling out the well-worn dime, the weight of it familiar and warm in my fingers.
“Heads she goes free,” I say.
Nick nods. “Let’s make it best of three. It’s more fun that way.”
I glance at Jax, a long unblinking stare, and then I flip the coin.
Chapter 43
Jax
The absolute audacity of this fucker.
I stare at Gray, his impassive, emotionless face nothing like the man I thought I knew. I haven’t seen this level of indifference and stillness from him since I walked into the conference room all those weeks ago.
He looks as if he couldn't care less where he is, what he’s doing, or who he’s with. My brother lies on the floor, prostrate, as another man flips a coin for my freedom.
It spins, twisting in the air high above our heads, then clinks onto the floor.
Monroe and Gray both lean over it as my heart begins to pound in my chest.
“Tails,” Monroe says, looking back at me. “Only one more of those, and you’re mine, sweetness.”
I’ll fucking kill you if you try, you piece of shit.
“Gray,” Flynn’s voice is broken and hoarse. “Don’t,” he manages to get out before one of the guards puts an arm against his neck.
“Why don’t you flip the next one?” Gray says cooly as Monroe stoops and retrieves the coin.
“You always liked the simple bets,” Monroe murmurs with a smirk.
Gray says nothing as the coin is thrown again. I watch the arc of it, feeling numb. It has less finesse than Gray’s throw, spinning and zipping through the air at an odd angle, flipping in place as it lands just beside Flynn’s head. My brother’s jaw clenches as he looks up at me, and I feel as if my whole body is melting into the ground beneath me.
“Heads,” Monroe says, looking down at Flynn. “You do know how ruthless this motherfucker is, right? He may be helping you right now, but you’re in his debt for life. Once he has a hold, he won’t let go. Are you sure that’s better than just letting me fuck your sister?”
Flynn lurches back as the guards effortlessly restrain him, and I close my eyes, nausea rising.
“One more,” Nick says as Gray retrieves the coin. “I’m beginning to wonder if her ass is even worth a hundred grand,” he says conversationally. “But then, that’s child's play to you, right, Gray? Let’s make it an even half million, shall we?”
I look up at Gray in horror, ice filling my body.
