Page 76 of Caged

Impressive.

Maybe my brother hired them?

Their bikes fall within the crowd, and they run toward us.

“Don’t shoot them,” I bark to the others. They’ve been helping us, and are putting up a solid defense.

The one in red ducks on the other side of the van.

I fire three more rounds before I have to reload. When I do, I see the glint of the passenger door opening up.

What the fuck?

Darting past Jax, I rip open the driver’s side as the rider darts out the other.

With the bag of diamonds!

Absolutely not.

I run behind the van and catch the devil himself as they’re trying to get away.

Grabbing him by the throat, I sling him against the side of the truck, bouncing the helmet off the glass hard enough to break it.

“Give those back.” I’m reaching for the stolen gems when I feel the hot touch of metal against my chest.

The burning barrel of his pistol rests over my heart.

“You’re going to have to kill me before I kill you.” My grip tightens around their neck.

With the cloth container dangling from their hand, they flip up the reflective visor of their helmet.

“I can’t, Nikolai.” Melissa’s tear-filled eyes stare back.

Shit.

My fingers loosen, but her pistol doesn’t waver.

“What the hell are you doing?” I can’t breathe. My lungs are frozen in the shock of seeing her.

“I have to.” A droplet spills down her nose and disappears into the soft felt bridging it.

“Nikolai! Look out!” I can hear Jax scream from the other side of the van.

My head is so muddied up, I almost don’t turn to see Knox barreling toward me.

His bald head glistens with sweat, and his face is twisted in rage.

He should be mad, I already shot him once.

But, my hands are busy, holding this woman who I trusted.

Who I was falling for.

The person who I opened my home and my family to.

His gun levels with my head.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I expect the impact. This would be a fitting moment, when my heart is already shattering with betrayal.

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