Page 115 of Exile and Embrace

“I’m going in on my own.” I glance at the building before looking back at them. “I’m the only one my father is expecting, and his men are going to let me through. The three of you work your way around the perimeter and kill anyone you see.”

Christian frowns. “This is a shit plan. You shouldn’t be walking into a trap without backup.”

Alessio nods and crosses his arms. “Give us more time to get more people here.”

Jovan shrugs and eyes one of the men circling around the corner of the building. “There isn’t much movement inside that I can see.”

Christian puts his hand on my shoulder, pulling me back a step. “We’re right, and you know it. Take a moment. Cillian’s men are getting in position, but we don’t know what we’re about to walk into.”

I whirl around, invading his space.

Right now, I don’t care who he is.

Ava is the most important person in my life.

If Christian wants to punish me for disrespecting his authority, he can do it after I’ve rescued her.

“I appreciate your being here, but if anyone gets in my way, I will kill them too.” I pull out my gun and check the magazine, snapping it back into place and flicking off the safety. “Do as I say and stay out of my way.”

Before any of them have time to argue, I creep through the shadows to the abandoned apartment building.

Stars shine overhead, and a dim light comes from the window on the right.

I’m coming for you, Aves. Just hold on for a little while longer.

Declan’s laughter booms from inside the house, followed by Ava’s scream.

I fight the urge to race into the abandoned apartment building, taking my time to get closer to the wall.

If I go in there without thinking, Ava is going to die.

I know my dad and my brother. They’re going to be waiting for me to make a mistake.

This is a trap, and it always has been.

I know that someone isn’t making it out alive.

I pull out the gold necklace hidden beneath my shirt, wishing that my mother was still here. The relationship with my father and brother would have never gotten this bad if she was.

After tucking the necklace back into my shirt, I round the corner of the building.

A door is propped open with nobody standing outside it. I’m not foolish enough to think that my father doesn’t have any guards.

I grab a crumbling brick from the ground and toss it at the door. The heavy thunk would be heard by anyone close to the door.

When nobody comes out with a gun raised, I creep to the door. I keep low and pressed to the wall.

As I push the door open a little wider, Ava screams again.

I’m going to find my family, and I’m going to kill them for what they’ve done to her. Nobody is going to be making it out of this building alive.

My heart pounds, but my grip on my gun is steady.

I approach a doorway on the right, checking the first room.

Before I have a chance to shoot the two men sitting there, Christian’s face appears in the window at the other side of the room.

The gunshots come quickly, quieted by the silencer on the end of his gun.

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