Page 126 of Root

Like snapshots in time, I see King, his two commanders in suits, and the dude who felt me up hit the ground, a bullet hole between their eyes.

I think it happens faster than I can take a breath.

Suddenly, I’m on the ground as hell rains down properly. Guns and shouts and I can’t move. There’s a heavy warmth I’m familiar with on me, and a clean scent that permeates the blood and sourness of urine from the dead that allows me to hold on to the moment.

“Don’t move, Jessie. I got you.”

I can’t see. Everything’s blurry, and I cling to his arm that’s around my head.

“You could have died,” I spit. “I was saving you.”

“Nah, they’d have raped and killed you, killed your brother and then I’d have had to really go Dirty Harry on everyone related to them and that’s not me. Except when it comes to family. You’re family, and I told you I was a fucking brilliant shot.”

A snort of a laugh rises as I start to shake. “Are you bragging?”

“Fuck yeah.” Then he whispers, “I’ve always got you.”

“Long live the king.”

“That king’s dead.” As he speaks, a heavy silence slams down.

“Done and fucking dusted,” Nikolai says. “You can get up with your traitorous prize.”

Rush kisses me and gets up, but Nikolai’s the one that holds out his hand.

I hesitate in taking it.

Rush sighs. “Dude.”

“You, Rush, are one of the few things I care about,” Nikolai says softly. “Your girl’s lucky I’m warm and soft today.”

This is warm and soft?

But I put my hand in his and he says, “You live for two reasons. One, Rush’s an idiot and I think he just might love you. And two, you were willing to die for your brother and for him.”

“I had to save my brother, and I had to make sure Rush didn’t get hurt.”

“I’m Rush,” says Rush, “I’m always okay.”

“You’re always an idiot,” Nikolai says, flicking an amused glance at his nephew. Then, he hauls me to my feet. “Go work your shit out. I have things to do.”

With that, he moves around the room with Tony collecting guns, ID, the bartender helping and it hits me, they own this, too.

“How…?”

Rush hasn’t moved from my side and he wipes my eyes with the pad of his thumb. “Tracked your phone, idiot.”

He wraps me in his arms and then says, “We’ll talk back at the mansion, but your brother’s outside.”

Rush sweeps up the book. “This is important. It’s got all the games I play with Nikolai in it, including the three where I’ve beaten him. I should have those pages cast in white gold.” His gaze hits mine. “Go.”

Rose is in a van, my brother lost in her spell, as she takes care of his wounds.

“A doctor’s going to look you over at the mansion,” Rose says, a smile on her beautiful face, “but you’re going to be okay. No bones broken, but you should get checked for internal injuries. Those animals.”

I go up to them.

Rose looks at me for a very long moment, then she just nods.

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