Killian’s massive form coalesced, illuminated by the faint torchlight. A terrifying smile flashed across his strong jaw.
“Then it’s a good thing I have a gun.” His piercing gaze raked over every inch of me. When it landed on my bare bottom half, raw fury, unlike anything I’d ever seen, etched into his features,rage pulsing through those emerald orbs. “You’re a fucking dead man, Bass.”
Sebastian flinched beside me, the twitch barely perceptible as he stuffed his cock back into his pants. “Just give me the damned video, and you and your little whore can be on your way.”
“I don’t fucking think so.” He stalked closer, that terrible smirk curling the corners of his lips. If that look had been directed at me, I would’ve been pissing myself.
I grabbed my panties and sweats off the floor and speared my legs through them.
Sebastian still stood between us, the knife clenched in his fist. “I can still do some damage to her pretty little face. Don’t make me do it.”
I tried to dart around him, but he slapped his arm across my chest and trained the tip of the blade at my throat.
“Let go of her.” The icy calm in Killian’s voice was more terrifying than any threat. “I swear to fucking God, if you don’t get your hands off her this instant, I’ll shoot you right between the eyes. You’ll be dead before you hit the ground. And you know I’m more than capable.”
“That would be first degree murder, Kill. You’d go to jail for life withoutthe fraternityprotecting you.”
“Worth it.”
“No.” A whimper squeezed through my lips. I couldn’t lose him, not now, not after everything. “He’s not worth it, Kill. Don’t do it.” I turned my head and shot Bass a narrowed glare. “Just let us go.”
His hold across my chest only tightened, and he dug the tip of the knife into my flesh. The sharp sting sent a curse spilling out. “I can’t do that. Not without the video.”
Killian cocked the gun, the ominous click echoing through the tense space. “Then you die.”
“Killian, please.” I shook my head, eyes pleading. “I can’t lose you.”
“Fuck...” he gritted out.
And then a shot vibrated across the chamber, ripping all the air from my lungs.
CHAPTER 49
PUNISHABLE BY DEATH
Killian
Lexi’s scream echoed in the catacombs as gunpowder and the coppery tang of blood perfumed the air.
I didn’t even consider the consequences before pulling the trigger. Honestly, I didn’t give a damn. Bass had his hands all over Lexi and was moments away from destroying her.
And then the motherfucker had the audacity to put a knife to her throat.
Bass dropped to the stone ground, and I darted forward to catch Lexi, breathing a quick sigh of relief once she was in my arms again.
“Are you okay?” Hot fury ignited in my veins at droplets of blood beading her throat and the bruises already forming on her cheek and around her wrists.
Where else did that bastard hurt her?
She grabbed my jaw and dragged her fingers below the gash in my cheek from Stan’s blow. “What happened? Did your stepfather do this?”
“You shot me!” Bass wriggled on the floor like a disgusting worm, blood leaking out of the wound on his thigh and staining the ground.
Lexi fisted my shirt in her little hands and shook me. “Kill, we can’t let him die. I willnotlose you because of this asshole.”
My throat tightened at the fierceness of her words. Lexi had just endured another dose of trauma thanks to my stepfamily, but she was worried aboutme.
I really fucked up when I traded her for this life of luxury. It was all a lie anyway. Deceit, corruption, and blood hidden within a fancy wrapping of gold and diamonds.
