Page 16 of Brutal Empire

“Me vieran dado agua,”Bastian said right before he snapped the man’s neck.

I stood there immobile for a second. I had come to save this man, but he had not needed my help at all.

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

That’s when I realized he had switched talking from Spanish to English when he addressed me.

“Daphne sent me,” I told him as I gripped the gun tighter.

He didn’t miss a beat. His eyes went to my hands, then to my face.

“I know,” he said with a smile.

I must have taken too long to answer because he took a step closer, and I took one back. He was too close to me, and I didn’t like it.

“Little sidekick, we need to get out of here. I’m losing blood, the adrenaline is fading, and if I don’t get to the car before then, I’ll collapse here, and you won’t be able to drag me.”

I gulped and then nodded. He waited for me to move, and it wasn’t until I was three steps ahead of him that he began to do so, and I was thankful for it. I would rather he be ahead of me, but at least he wasn’t breathing down my neck.

Once inside the car, he made himself comfortable.

“Go…we need to clear out. Don’t take the main road, keep to the small ones. Put the GPS on,” he said, sounding more strained by the second.

Once I had done what he said, I began to drive.

“Dial that bitch,” he groaned as he shifted in his seat.

I was new to driving. I don’t think I knew how to do it in my past life. It was something I’d recently learned but had not had much practice with, especially in a foreign country. He didn’t say anything as I began to swerve while reaching for the phone. I put it in the cup holder and then grabbed onto the steering wheel with both hands.

“The numbers are programmed,” I told him.

I could feel his stare on me and waited for him to say something, but he didn’t. He took the phone and then dialed. What surprised me was that he put it on speaker.

“Is everything okay, Cam?” It was Gideon’s voice.

“How the hell did you find me?” Bastian asked.

Laugher boomed on the other end of the line.

“Does she have me tracked?” Bas went on.

More laughter.

“Take it out!” Bas barked.

“Sorry, mate, I don’t think my petal would appreciate it if I finger your arsehole,” Gideon wheezed.

“Fuck you,” Bas replied. I turned my head just a bit to see him through the corner of my eye, and I noticed a slight smile on his face.

“Roman was in Texas when he heard through the grapevine. He’s been waiting nearby. I’ll send his coordinates.”

“Thanks,” Bas breathed.

I looked at him and noticed he looked paler.

“Don’t die,” Gideon said.

“Once Daph admits my dick is bigger, I can die in peace,” he forced himself to say.

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