Page 115 of Deliver us from Evil

She curls her finger around the trigger. I close my eyes, holding my breath as I wait for the inevitable.

“Jess, wait.”

A hand lands on the woman’s shoulder. She looks at it, glances behind her. “What?”

“I’ll do it,” Hoody says.

“Christ, Nick, there’s no time for that shit.” She shakes him off, points the gun.

“You go on ahead. I’ll catch up.” Nick wraps his fingers around the hand holding the gun. She twists it, snarling at him with irritation, and it goes off.

I scream.

My body’s stiff as I wait for death or pain…but there’s nothing. Just my pounding heart and the ice-cold flash of adrenaline pouring through my body.

“Fucking retard,” Jess mutters, but her voice is moving away. “I’m leaving in ten, with or without you.”

My eyes fly open. There’s a hole about an inch away from my left foot. I manage a choking breath, and then there’s a hand around the front of my throat.

Nick uses his thumb to prop my chin up, forcing my eyes to his. “How many times do you think I can come in ten minutes, Missy?”

I cringe when he licks his lips.

“Let’s go find out.”

* * *

I fall to my knees,but I’m up a second later, scrambling to get away. Behind me, Nick barks out a laugh and then shuts the door.

Locks it.

Pockets the key.

But I’m already on the other side of the room, grabbing the window sash and hauling it up.

The curtain wraps around my arm. I swat it away and lean out, lifting my leg—

The ground sways toward me.

But from a distance.

I hadn’t realized it, but I’m on the third floor. And below me? A gravel path hugging the side of the house.

Oh Lord, I’ll never survive that.

I spin around. Nick veers around the bed I clambered over, a filthy smile on his mouth. I look back at the drop. Swing my leg over the window ledge.

It’ll hurt, but hopefully only a little. Then I’ll be dead, right? No need for them to go after my men.

Except…I don’t know if that’s what will happen. Nick and Jess were given orders. Who am I to say they won’t follow them to the letter?

Death by gravel is the coward’s way out. And I’ll be leaving my men clueless. For all I know, they’ll walk into our house in Dana Point and Jess and her crew will already be waiting for them.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

---