Page 71 of Ferocious Nightmare

He’d been so different growing up. He'd changed from the youthful young boy full of spirit and fire, to quiet, cold, and calculating.

It reminded me of myself, my own anger quenched by my need to survive this world.

My father had crushed too many spirits.

He didn’t deserve to live, and all the desire in me to kill him didn't make it magically happen.

I would face him down like a man, never having done anything significant in my life except for taking responsibility for my actions. These men wouldn’t suffer the blame for my betrayal.

Step by step, I moved in agony towards them, my father's men glancing at me, but my own father and his two bodyguards not even noticing.

"I need names of everyone involved in this. You have ten seconds to tell me who did this, then I start shooting. One of you dies each minute, until I know the truth."

I met James' eyes and my chest burned at the sight of his pinched lips.

He could easily give me up, knowing I couldn’t hurt his sister now, because my father would kill me. Instead, he kept his mouth shut, knowing he would die for it.

"Ten…nine…eight," my father barked, waiting…waiting while no one else moved but me. "Seven…six…five."

He took off the safety.

"Four…three….” He cocked the gun, then pointed it at David. “Two…on— “

"Stop." I commanded, my voice clear, though it hurt like a motherfucker. "Stop."

My father stilled, and then all eyes were on me. He swiveled on his feet, turning stormy eyes to me, his gun still held out. Now pointed at me.

I straightened, pulling in a deep, agonizing breath, ready and willing to do this, my last thoughts on Aster. I trusted Dante to get her out of here. And, if I survived this, I wouldn’t keep her. No, violence would follow me, no matter where I went. I had to let her go. Let her live her life in peace. She would be free now.

There was a movement in the corner of my eye but I kept my gaze on my dad.

"I did it. I called the cartel." I looked straight into his eyes. "I betrayed you."

His eyes blazed, his back straightening. His finger flicked.

He fired his gun.

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