Page 118 of Exile and Embrace

Declan groans as I slam him into the wall, old plaster falling down around us.

“You fucking bastard.” My voice is chocked as I fight my way out of his hold, punching his sides until he lets me go. “You got our brother killed!”

“He had it coming!” Declan sweeps his leg out, catching me behind the knee.

My knee slams to the ground, sending me off balance.

I roll out of the way before his boot can connect with my face.

The roll has me pressed against Ava.

I give her a smile and pull out the knife, cutting her ropes. “Get the hell out of here. Christian is waiting outside.”

She scowls and takes the knife, scrambling to get out of the way as I stand and duck Declan’s punch.

She moves into the corner, her grip on the knife tight. “I’m not leaving you, Finn.”

Declan’s fist finds my face, splitting my lip and snapping my head to the side.

I spin quickly, throwing my weight behind the punch to his temple.

He falls to the ground, and I pull out my gun from my waistband.

Declan groans and rolls over.

I slam my foot down onto his knee, his scream filling the room.

I spit a mouthful of blood at him before pulling back the safety. “This is for Cormac and Ava, you sick fuck.”

My finger curls around the trigger, and the bullet lodges itself in Declan’s head.

Even in death that mocking sneer is still on his face.

If I could kill him a second time, I would.

Dad laughs and shakes his head. “You’ve surprised me again, Finnigan. I didn’t think that you’d have it in you.”

His hand moves fast, and Ava lunges across the short distance between the two of them.

My eyes widen as I spin and aim at my father.

Ava’s knife sinks deep into his shoulder.

Dad drops the gun he tried to pull as Ava holds onto the knife, driving it deeper.

He throws her off, roaring with pain. “You fucking bitch. I should have killed you long before now.”

Her body slams into the wall, and she groans as she hits the ground. Her eyes shut, her breathing shallow.

I don’t know what else they’ve done to her here, but I’ll be damned if my father ever gets near her again.

Despite the pain radiating through my body, I cross the room in quick steps.

I kick away the gun at his feet, sending it sliding across the room.

Blood pools around the hilt of the knife as Dad glowers at me. “Do you really think that she is going to want a life with you after seeing the monster you are?”

I press the gun against his forehead. “As long as she’s safe from you, I’m happy.”

---