Page 16 of Big Bold Gambler

I can’t help it. I reach for the handle, but the fucking door’s locked.

“Shit.”

I press my ear to the door. I can hear her speaking, a soft murmur. I know she has to be scared. And I’m about to lose it, but I force myself to stay calm.

I pull out the switchblade I keep hidden in my sleeve. It’s thin, small, but sharp enough to get the job done. Slipping it into the lock, I wiggle it around until I hear it. The click of the lock sounds louder than anything in the world.

The door swings open.

Jeannie shrieks whipping around as far as she can in her chair. But then she sees me and everything in her expression cracks wide open.

She opens her mouth and a sob escapes and a second later, she’s crying. I step into the room, not wasting a second.

“Sweet girl,” I murmur rushing to her side, “I’m here. Are you okay? Did Gorshkov touch you?”

My hands roam all over her, checking for injuries as much as assuring myself she’s here, she’s with me, and she’s okay. Her eyes are wide, filled with fear and relief. She sniffles loudly, trying to pull herself together, but she’s still shaking.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she says quickly. “You need to untie dad though. Gorshkov can’t be far behind.”

Part of me wants to ignore common sense and undo her. I want nothing more than to pull her into my arms and reassure myself over and over that she’s okay. But, she’s right. Gorshkov won’t let us go easily and it’s better if we have two people who know how to fight untied when he gets here.

As if called by out very words, just as I’ve gotten Patrick untied and am shoving a gun into his hand, the door slams open, and my blood goes cold.

Gorshkov.

That son of a bitch is standing in the doorway, automatic rifle in hand, pointed directly at Jeannie.

My pulse spikes, but I don’t make a move. Not yet. Gotta think this through. One wrong move, and everything goes to hell.

“You think you’re the hero, Makyl?” Gorshkov sneers, his eyes narrowing. “Thought I wouldn’t have cameras up watching you sneak in to get to your little whore. Already took care of your little friend.”

“Not a hero,” I growl, but there’s no hiding the fire in my voice. “Just a man who’s sick of your shit.”

He smirks, but he’s not stupid. He’s just got a gun aimed at the one thing I care about most in this world. And that makes him dangerous.

I stay low, hands out, fingers itching for the gun I’ve got holstered at my side. Just have to wait for the right opening.

Chapter Nine

Jeannie

I can’t breathe.

My chest is so tight, it feels like someone’s squeezed all the air out of the room, and I don’t know how much longer I can hold it in.

My eyes keep darting between the three men standing off like lions ready for battle. With Gorshkov’s automatic rifle pointed straight at me, there’s not much I can do other than sit and hope to god that he doesn’t get the desire to pull that trigger.

I was right to insist that my dad get untied first. I’m not some trained fighter like either of them apparently are. I don’t know what to do in situations like this. If it came down to me having to fight beside Maxwell—hell, even just survive—I don’t know if I could handle it. But this? Being tied to this chair, no escape, no options, just watching them tear each other apart—this is too much.

Gorshkov’s voice breaks through my thoughts, sharp and cold. “Makyl and Ivan, the perfect pair. Always thought you were so much better than the rest of us. So above us all. It’ll feel goodto bring you down a few pegs when I kill that abomination you created with my Ilina.”

I flinch at his words. My stomach twists, and I can’t help but glance over at my dad. He’s standing there, fists clenched, like he’s trying to hold it all together.

But Gorshkov isn’t done digging into old wounds. “I never forgave her. My sweet, stupid, misguided Ilina. But I tried to please her. Even after she allowed herself to be whored out to you. I wanted to please her, for so long.”

I don’t know what’s worse—the way his voice cracks or the way my dad’s face darkens.

“The only time you pleased her was when you finally left us the fuck alone.”

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