Page 102 of Queen of Spades

“Ezrah.” I force a smile. “I wasn’t expecting to see you again.” I edge toward Cas.

He’s incapacitated.

My entire body aches to fall to my knees to check on him, but at least he’s alive.

“Come to me slowly.” Ezrah waves his free hand. “Try to fight me, and I don’t care who his father is, I’ll blow his brain across the lovely veranda.”

I frown.

I’m pretty sure the word veranda only applies to ground level…

Now isn’t the time for pondering his misuse of words.

I need a weapon and a way to end another Andretti.

Stat.

My legs tremble as I shuffle forward, continuing to block Cas with as much of my body as possible.

Ezrah grabs my arm as soon as I’m within reach, snatching me to him painfully. He twists my wrist behind my back until it feels like it might break and brings me in front of him.

The cool metal of his gun to my temple makes it clear how dire my circumstances are.

“It seems you’re capable of following instructions, after all,” he growls against my ear. “Walk.”

My flats drag against the floor as he guides me through the bedroom and toward the door. My heart races, and I ache to turn back to check on Cas. He’s okay. He might have a painful lump on his forehead, but it’s highly unlikely that one whack with a handgun would take him out permanently.

Right?

I mean, he’s still there in the bond.

It just feels like the same nothingness as when one of them is asleep.

If he were dead, I would be in excruciating pain…right?

My entire body trembles as Andretti leads me down the stairs. There’s commotion in the kitchen, like someone is fighting, but I have no idea who or what.

“I was going to kill you on sight, but it appears you were told to expect us.” Ezrah’s hot breath fans over my cheek as he speaks. “You’re my ticket to making it out of here alive. So, I guess that makes it your lucky day, but make no fucking mistake. You will pay for what you did to my little brother.”

I push my lips together, trying to formulate a plan.

I need some type of weapon.

Any type, really.

Hell, I’d take a stick right now, but a gun would be ideal.

My eyes widen as we approach the open back door.

Grady peeks around the edge. “Ezrah. Long time no see, man.”

“Raiden Michaels, you slimy piece of shit,” Ezrah growls. “It just so happens, you and I will have to have our reckoning another time.”

“What? No way.” Grady chuckles. “Now is as good as any time. How about you let my woman go, and you and I can chat?”

“Fuck you,” Ezrah hisses. “Drop your gun and back away now!”

His bark rolls through my system, but I don’t have a gun to drop.

---