Page 151 of Roaring Flames

Ashton’s hand on my arm stops me, though he doesn’t pull his gaze away from his older brother.

Some of my adrenaline dissipates.

Going down there right now would be suicide. Not only for me, but for my mates, who I have no doubt will throw themselves into the line of fire trying to protect me.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck!

I can’t remember a time I felt so goddamnuseless.

Focus on the plan, Izzy. Free the children, and you’ll give the shifters a fighting chance. You’ll giveChristiana fighting chance.

Steel trickles down my spine.

I can do this.

I have to do this.

“Christian?” Ashton’s uncharacteristically soft exclamation, rife with horror, pulls my attention to his face.

His eyes are wide, and he parts his lips, though not a sound comes out.

No. No. No.

Holding my breath, I follow the direction of Ashton’s gaze, already knowing what I’m going to see.

Christian is on his knees, staring defiantly at the leader’s masked face.

And a gun is pointed directly at his forehead.

Fifty-Four

CHRISTIAN

Inarrow my eyes at the fucker, refusing to show fear.

“Christian!” Lacey sobs.

“You guys know each other,non?”

Fucker has a deep accent. Russian, I believe, though I can’t say for certain. And, for all I know, the accent is fake in order for us not to uncover his true identity.

Fucker wants me to give him a reaction, wants me to respond, but I refuse to play into his little game.

And even while staring my mortality in the face, I can’t help but feel relief.

Izzy isn’t here.

My brother isn’t here.

I would die a thousand deaths if it means the two people I love most in the world are safe.

Love.

Since when did I associate that word with Izzy? I know that she makes me smile, that I lose my breath whenever she steps into a room, that I desperately want to hear her laugh, that I look forward to those moments when she comes and visits me in my office.

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