Page 55 of Mayhem

“What do you want from me?” I ask, cocking my gun.?

“It’s much more complicated than that, young lady,” he chides.?

“Well, you ambushed my school and now my home. You have my attention. Start talking before my impulsive thoughts take over, and I end up spraying your brain matter all over my new rug,” I say sinisterly.?

“That’s it, My Blood Queen.” I shiver as always and give him a little smirk.?

“Shut up Jay, don’t antagonize her.” Spade scolds.

“Little girls like you don’t scare me, but I advise against shooting me. Because if I die, so does everyone you love, including them.” He smiles, motioning to my guys in front of me.

“Not if I can help it.” Jameson punches the guy holding him and the gun goes off.?

“ENOUGH! MOVE A FUCKING MUSCLE AND I’LL SEND YOUR HEAD IN A BOX TO YOUR SENATOR DADDY!” he presses the barrel to Jamie’s head. He growls, pushing harder against the gun.?

“Jamie, STOP!” I scream. His eyes connect with mine and he smirks.?There’s that panty melting dimple. Jesus Jade focus.

“Again, what do you want?” I ask, losing my patience.?

“You are going to come with me,” he states simply.?

“Over my fucking dead body,” Dario growls.?

“Don’t you fucking touch her.” Spade spits.?

“Now, now, boys. No harm will come to her as long as she does what she is told.” His eyes connect with mine.

“Not a chance, my man.” I say dismissively.?

“Okay, let me make myself clear. You will come, or else.” He states. I put a hand on my hip and roll my eyes.?

“Or else what?” I say.?

All I hear is a POP as I feel blood spraying against my face, temporarily blinding me. I wipe the blood from my face and find Atticus laying on the ground, lifeless, with a bullet in his head. I scream. Tears pour from my face, the dogs whine and nudge Atticus’ lifeless body. I look at the man before me with murder in my eyes.?

“Jade. NO!” Dario screams. And I lunge. He slaps me, grabbing my hair.?

“Disrespectful fucking cunt,” he says, holding the gun to my head. He whispers in my ear, “Say goodbye to your little boyfriends.” My eyes connect with theirs and I mouth I’m sorry. The looks on their faces are murderous.?

“I’ll go. Let’s just get this over with.” I say.?

“Jade, please don’t go.” Spade pleads.?

“I’m a man of my word. I will return her as long as she does what she is told. Otherwise, she dies, and so do you.” He says as he walks me out of the house. As soon as I get to the threshold, I hear a yelp and another gun goes off. Spade’s blood-curdling scream tells me exactly what just happened. No. No. No, not my babies. Something hard hits me in the head before I can process anything and darkness seeps in.?

Hello Sweetbottom, It’s almost time. I’ll be seeing you soon, my darling.

Opening my eyes, I gasp and notice I’m at the clubhouse, laying on the bar top. I sit up slowly, realizing that someone has stripped me of my weapons and left me in just my tank top and leggings. I look around the room and see complete destruction. Chairs and tables are thrown everywhere and blood, there’s so much fucking blood. There’s three men surrounding someone further in the room.

Climbing off the bar top and grabbing a broken bottle from the floor, I approach them slowly, remembering Jamie’s instructions, breathe through the nose, light on the toes. I keep inching like a lion hunting its prey. The men suddenly move back, and I gasp. Dropping the broken bottle, it shatters around my ankles, sending shards of glass into my skin. They have my father tied to a chair and have beaten him to a pulp. His eyes are swollen shut and blood pours from his mouth.?

“Dd—Dad,” I say, my heart in my chest. I’ve never seen my father hurt. He’s always been the strong one, never shown weakness. I know he’s been in fights, but he’s never been left defenseless. His eyes connect with mine and my heart stops. All I see is sadness and regret. I run for him, but Maxim hauls me back, and I thrash in his hold.?

“Oh, it’s so nice of you to grace us with your presence, Princess. Or should I call you Queen?” he whispers. I still in his arms. I’m unsure what he means by that, but I don’t like it.?

“Why are we here? Let my father go!” I plead.?

“I’m sorry, Jade, but I cannot do that.” He says, letting go of me. I try to run again, but he produces a gun, pointing it at my head.

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