Page 78 of Guarded from Danger

“Lucy.” This time I harden my voice, pitching it low and commanding. “Look at me. Now.”

“If she’s not even going to listen, what’s the fun in that?” grumbles the piece of shit I’m going to kill shortly.

“Lucy,” I repeat sharply. “Look at me.”

My chest aches to see her this way. So scared. Confused. I want to pull her into my arms and comfort her, kiss the tearsaway, help her do those box breathing exercises until she calms down, but I can’t. Not now.

Lucy drags her gaze to mine, so fearful, but still so trusting. “Xavier?”

“I need you to calm down, sunshine. Stop hurting yourself. I know it’s scary. I know.”

In a tiny voice, she replies, “But… the game. And you… I’m sorry… it’s my fault…”

Fuck.

My heart.

“It is not.” I release her hand to brush the tears from her cheeks. “You trust me, right?”

A small nod. “Yes.”

“It’ll be okay, Luce. I promise.”

Amberson snorts. “Aww. That’s so sweet. But completely ridiculous.” He pauses. “I can promise things are very much not going to be okay.” Another pause. “Well. They will be for me. For you two? Not so much.”

“Just let her go,” I grit out. “If you want to play your fucked up game again, do it with me.”

“Oh, no.” He smirks. “What would the fun be in that? And really, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this idea before. Two lovers trapped together. Will you share the food? Sacrifice yourself so the other can live longer? End it all together like Romeo and Juliet?”

Lucy whimpers. Her teeth dig into her lower lip hard enough to make it bleed.

“Or maybe one of you will turn on the other,” he continues. “Wouldn’t that be interesting? It adds so many elements to the game. So many things to bet on.”

“You’re sick,” Lucy whispers. “Evil.”

“Do you really think everyone is good, Lucy? Like the characters in those silly books you write?” Amberson lifts hisgun and cocks the trigger, then points it at me. “I could kill your boyfriend right now and I wouldn’t feel a second of regret.”

“No!” She struggles to her feet, swaying as she tries to stay standing.“Don’t.”

Will he?

My muscles tense, ready to move.

I don’t want to do this now, with Lucy right here, but if there’s no other choice…

“I won’t.” He lowers the gun. “Not because I care about his life, but that will ruin my whole plan.”

“Why?” I grit out, though I’m sure I know the answer. “Why not leave? You made plenty of money. There’s already a suspect in custody.”

Piece of Garbage grins. “I know. Isn’t that the greatest? Poor Garrett, he had no clue I was setting him up the whole time. I met him online in some group for hackers; he was so eager to brag about his skills. How he could hack anything.” He shrugs. “It’s really his own fault. Pride’s a sin, you know.”

Lucy gapes at him. “Youkilledpeople. You almost killed me. You don’t think?—”

“I don’t care, Lucy. That’s the thing. I. Don’t. Care.” After a brief pause, he asks, “You know what I do care about?”

“Money,” I spit. “And being a sick fuck who gets off on other people’s misery.”

“The money part is true. But also, revenge.” Amberson steps back, his gun lowering to his side. “I had a good thing going. I was making millions, you know. And thenyou—” He glares at Lucy. “You ruined it. You and your fucking rent-a-cop boyfriend. You even got the damn FBI involved.”

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