Page 73 of The Engagement Party

Ruthie was done with his shit. He glossed over his responsibility for landing them here. Blamed everyone else. Slunk into a corner as others stood up and fought. No more. “You and your friends are the reason my friend is dead. So I guess we’re even.”

Will grabbed her arm and squeezed. “Emily never talked about you.”

The unexpected force of the grip stole Ruthie’s breath. She tried to pull out of his hold but couldn’t. His anger, so carefully banked until now, flared, increasing his strength until her arm went numb. “Let go.”

“What is wrong with you?” Sierra shoved Will away from Ruthie. “Stop manhandling her.”

“Thank you,” Ruthie mumbled. The protection humbled her. She genuinely liked Sierra. Betraying her had been difficult despite the fact they barely knew each other.

“No. Don’t be grateful.” Sierra’s exasperation bubbled over. She held up her hand, standing like an avenging angel with her hair unbound and her gaze scanning the landscape for incoming danger. “Your behavior has been crap, but that doesn’t change the facts. Dylan is not your responsibility, and you are not Will’s punching bag.”

Sierra wasn’t wrong. Ruthie could admit that... just not out loud.

Wound up and ready, Will didn’t slink away chastised. “Of course this is her fault.”

Ruthie saw the comment for what it was—annoying bluster. He’d been quiet most of the day and happy to blend into the background whenever difficult topics arose. Now, when she was the proposed target, he found his balls and came out fighting. She was about to tell him what she thought of his refocusing when Mitch jumped in.

“Shut up. Not another word.”

Will frowned at his friend. “Why are you turning on me?”

“Ah, the moment I’ve been waiting for. When you start chewing off your limbs in an effort to escape. There’s nothing as satisfying as watching you sacrifice each other.” Dylan materialized, came around the corner of the house holding a gun to Alex’s head. Cassie walked in front of the pair with her hands in the air. “Please carry on. I’m in the mood for a fight to the death.”

Will’s shoulders fell as the indignation ran out of him. “Damn.”

Ruthie was done with Dylan most of all. This vengeance-soaked version of him had stolen enough of the limelight. “Put the gun down.”

He scoffed. “I know it sounds childish but make me.”

“Did you really think ordering him would work?” Mitch asked.

“Everyone, drop your weapons.” Dylan waited for compliance but none of them moved. “I need to see knives hit the ground.”

“We can’t see anything,” Sierra said.

“I can solve that.” Dylan reached into his pocket and took out his phone. One press of a button with his free hand and the pathway lights brightened. The fog still plunged most of the area into a shadowy gray stillness, but they could see a few feet in front of them now. “I’m a problem solver.”

The jagged cut across his cheek reminded Ruthie that he could be defeated, if only temporarily. But temporarily might be all she needed to take back control. She had the gun hidden in her skirt pocket, but could she use it? She brought it in case things grew rocky with Will and his friends. She’d never contemplated this situation, of being forced to defend them.

Right now, Dylan didn’t seem to realize she carried a gun. Ruthie knew if she took the weapon out things would escalate, meaning she’d be a major player in an unwanted shoot-out. Sheneeded to put the possibility off as long as possible. The man on a rampage now meant something to her once. They shared a profound loss that upended and unbalanced their lives . . . and a part of her feared she wouldn’t be able to fire. Not at him. Not when a part of her still grieved along with him.

“I’ll ask one more time.” He waved the gun around until the knives plunked against the wet ground. “Well done. Now, everyone, kneel. Hands on your heads.”

Ruthie refused. She needed to stay upright. To be able to reach and aim. “We can’t—”

“Don’t push me. I have you to thank for being here but a stockpile of information will only win you so much favor.” His eyes narrowed. “Any weapons you have need to hit the ground, too.”

Did he know about her gun? He seemed to be a step ahead on everything else, but she doubted he expected her to carry, so she kept the weapon right where it was.

Will’s knees didn’t bend. He took a step toward Dylan, but Sierra stepped in front of him, clearly trying to drag the attention toward her and away from whatever inciting thing Will might say. “The house. The fire will draw attention.”

Dylan frowned. “From where? Look around you. There’s no one out here. The island is isolated. That’s why this location was so perfect for this little reveal party.”

The words crashed through the last of Ruthie’s calm. Every part of her shook while her insides bounced and twisted. He knew... something, and she dreaded it, but she needed to know what it was. “The owners have a security system. The fire will trigger an alarm. You’re running out of time.”

Cassie gasped. “Are you trying to make him shoot us faster?”

“Me.” The single word cut through the gusts of wind and black night.

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