Page 89 of Exodus

“You like it?” Tobias smiles, and it’s the most dangerous thing I’ve ever seen in my life. He’s going to kill them, both of them.

“Where is Daddy?” Andre whispers to me. “His car is here.”

My eyes shoot to Tobias, and I try to read him for the right answer and get nothing.

“I d-d-don’t know. I just got home,” I stutter out. I hate that I can’t get myself right. That I can’t mirror the two men with steady hands and strong voices defending me, protecting me.

“I don’t think I’m satisfied with the terms of this agreement,” Dominic says, his voice steady.

Andre cocks his head. “How so?”

Tobias looks to me as I begin shaking uncontrollably.

I read his expression.

Easy, baby.

I’ve never been so fucking scared in my life.

Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.

Tobias darts his eyes to Matteo, his gun still trained on Andre. “Want to answer that?”

Matteo speaks up. “Trust me, man, you don’t want me to open that door.”

Tobias nods. “I can have the money to you in minutes.”

“Like I said,” Dominic hisses, “I’m not happy with this deal.”

It’s then I see Dominic’s gun tucked in Matteo’s jeans. He’s unarmed. He didn’t make it to his gun in time. And it’s because of me. If he’d had it, this would already be over. Bile climbs up my throat as I try to steady myself against the wall behind me.

“It’s the only deal to be made, brother,” Tobias snaps, a warning in his voice.

“Cecelia,” Dominic says, in the intimate tone he used with me in the days we spent together, alone.

“Dominic,” Tobias implores, a jagged fear in his voice.

“I’m talking to Cecelia,” Dominic counters.

“Yes?” My eyes spill as Tobias darts his apprehensive gaze between his brother and me.

“After this, you want to watch a movie?” Dominic asks. “You can make that cheddar popcorn I love. We can crowd under that blanket that smells like...what’s that smell?”

I choke on a fresh wave of fear. “Lavender,” I say as more tears stream down my cheeks.

“Yeah. And I’ll let you watch a chick movie because all I really want to do is watch you watch it. Your face gets all dopey when you get love drunk.”

“Must be some good shit if she’s whipped you, Dom,” Matteo snarks, his vacant eyes lifting to me.

“We love rainy days, don’t we, baby?” Dominic’s voice drifts up as he takes a step toward Matteo.

“We do.” A sob escapes me as I cripple under the tension. To my right is safety—Tobias—to my left, certain death. And death is much closer. If that blade reaches me before Tobias’s bullet, I’m first. But if he doesn’t make it to his brother in time...it’s a choice that Tobias has to make. Save his brother or me, and Dominic is making it for him, trying to throw himself on the grenade.

“We don’t fucking negotiate with terrorists.” Dominic tilts his head in challenge, and Matteo only grins, his canines dripping acid. He outweighs Dominic by at least eighty pounds, but Dominic has speed and incredible strength. He wouldn’t need either if I had trusted him earlier. If I’d believed him. I’m the reason he doesn’t have his gun.

“Dominic,” I whimper as he takes another step down the stairs toward Matteo.

“What is it, baby?”

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