Page 116 of Exile and Embrace

He nods to me as the bodies slump forward in their seats, blood trickling to the floor.

Christian disappears, leaving me alone.

As I turn back to the hall, a fist collides with my face.

My head whips to the side before I duck, dodging another punch coming my way.

My knuckles turn white as I hold onto the gun.

The attacker lunges at me before I can get out of the way.

His shoulder slams into my stomach, knocking the air from my lungs.

We tumble to the ground, and my gun skates across the floor.

The man moves quickly, righting himself on top of me and trying to slam his fist into my face.

I catch his fist, my other hand slipping into my pocket.

His upper lip curls as his other fist comes flying. “You’re a bastard. Did you think that you could turn against your father and not pay the price?”

The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth as I pull the butterfly knife from my pocket and flick it open.

I slam it upward into his torso, slipping beneath his ribs.

The man’s eyes widen as his blood runs over my hand, staining it crimson.

I roll us, getting on top of him and cutting his throat.

Other voices in the building grow louder, boots stomping above me.

I glance at the ceiling before looking for the stairs. There are none near me, and the footsteps are growing softer.

The men on the floor above me have to be on the other side of the building.

The attacker’s body is forgotten as I get up and spit out the blood that fills my mouth.

It takes only a moment to grab my gun from the floor and kill another man trying to sneak up on me.

By now, my father has to know that I’m in the building. Knowing him, he’s going to drag this out for as long as possible. He’s going to want to hurt me.

Killing Ava is the only way to do that.

Dad will want me to be there to witness the moment.

With quick and quiet steps, I make my way down the hall, checking the empty apartments as I go.

It’s only when I reach the door to the management office that I see Ava through the streaky glass.

Bruises cover her face and blood seeps from a few cuts.

She glares at my brother like she plans on killing him where he stands.

That’s my girl.

Ava spits at Declan’s feet, and his fist pulls back.

My blood boils, making me ready to combust as I take a step back before kicking the door in.

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