Page 46 of Hacker Betrayed

“Scream,” I whispered to Ashlyn.

And Ashlyn did just that. Lenny’s hand punched her face, but my sister didn’t stop. I leapt out of the chair and wrestled Lenny to the ground. The gun flew from his hands, skidding under the chair Jordan occupied.

Lenny’s fist connected with my side, knocking the air out of me for a moment. I twisted and brought my heel down on his balls. His scream was music to my ears. Kain came crashing through the door, but I already had my arm around Lenny’s neck, choking him. When his body went limp, I dropped my hold and reached for the gun. I aimed in less than a second, and my aim was perfect.

“Drop the gun, Kain.”

He listened and held up his palms. The gun clattered to the ground.

“I didn’t want to do this. He made me.”

Nothing like a grown man begging for his life.

Donovan, Brock, and Paxton walked through the door behind him. Donovan had a gun to my sister’s side. Brock had his gun pointed in the room, and Paxton stepped to the perimeter.

I winced as I stood up, and Brock helped Jordan with his bonds, then did the same with Ashlyn.

Paxton crossed the room and wrapped me in his arms. “I love you,” I said before he could. I knew I felt the same for him the night he said the words, but they’d stuck in my throat.

“I love you, too,” he whispered across my lips. He tangled his fingers in my hair and pulled me close. The anxiety floated away the deeper he kissed me.

I wasn’t going to run from love any longer.

This man accepted me and my crazy-ass life.

“You should have killed me when you had the chance.” Jordan’s voice was hoarse.

“Jordan, he’s not worth having on your conscience if you kill him,” Ashlyn pleaded.

I pulled back from Paxton’s kiss to see Jordan pointing a gun at Lenny’s unconscious head.

“She’s right, Jordan. This was never the life you wanted. Let me take care of these people. Take Ashlyn home, and when I get back to the States we will dig through what they did and fix the wrongs. Neither of us knew they were doing this,” Donovan said. He still had his gun on my sister.

“But Donovan, I did this all for you! They told me you would want this. I can be your queen,” Lydia whined.

Jordan pulled the trigger, and Lenny slumped to the ground. A pool of blood formed under Lenny on the wood floors.

“Did you have to kill him inside?” Donovan sighed. “You know how much I have to pay to get blood removed from the floors?”

Jordan didn’t respond. He turned toward Kain and shot a second time, and before anyone realized his plans, he turned and shot my sister Lydia as well. Blood splattered all over Donovan’s shirt and the mob boss loosened his grip. Lydia fell to the ground in a heap.

“Well, I didn’t expect that,” Brock said, sounding vaguely impressed. “Are you done killing?”

“I hated this life. I knew I could never escape it. Ashlyn, you were supposed to blossom and live your life. Except I couldn’t let you go. And look, I was why you almost died and lost your business. Right here is the reason we can’t be together. Sorry for the mess, Donovan, but I need to leave.” Jordan walked out of the room and Ashlyn stepped forward, but Donovan cut her off.

“He’s going to need time. If you go after him now, he will say harsh things to push you away. I already know he thinks you’re going to hate him for killing your sister, but you both know we couldn’t let these three live after what they did,” Donovan said. “Only difference was my way wouldn’t be as messy. You are all welcome to stay, but I have some shit to clean up and I need to figure out if any more of my siblings have to be taken out. Ashlyn, I’ll return your money with interest in the next few days.”

“I’ll stick around and help,” Brock offered. “Why don’t you guys take the helicopter to the airport and go home? Take the next week off, Mia. You deserve it.”

CHAPTER17

Paxton

“Don’t you dare hit that button,” Patty yelled as she ran across the backyard.

Brock groaned next to me as the girl smirked a second before she pushed her finger down, and glitter exploded into the air, raining down on Brock’s son.

My life was so dull before Mia. Tonight, I planned to ask her to be mine.

---