Page 130 of The Assignment: Room 3

“That’s enough chit-chat, Helena. I’m curious, will your tombstone say Helena or Celest?”

“Let her fucking go, or I will take you the fuck out.” My hands are steady, wrapped around the handle of my gun.”

“Oh look, your big bad boyfriend thinks he can shoot me without killing you in the process. Is this the first time you’ve held a gun, macho man? You wouldn’t last a day in my neighborhood.”

“Lower. Your. Gun.”

“Or what? You’ll really take a bullet for this bitch?”

“Try me, tough guy. I’ll fucking die to protect her, and I’ll sure as shit take you with me on the road to hell.”

“She’s awhore.”

Celest is crying uncontrollably, and every fiber of my being wants to comfort her. I don’t care what her name is. I love her. She’s mine.

“Call her that one more time and see what happens.”

“I’m done with her anyway. Say goodbye, Helena. Just know that I’m going to take your spawn, and there’ll be nothing your boyfriend can do about it.” My vision turns red. I’ve never felt such all-consuming rage in my life.

He waves the gun around as he enjoys the sound of his own voice. I know better than to take your eye off your target.

“Celest, remember when I told you about theemeraldI found for Gracie?”

“Yes, Master.” Her eyes find mine. I’m praying she understandswhat I’m telling her. I offer her safeword as reassurance. I will never let this piece of shit hurt my family. I need her to know Gracie is okay so she can calm her breathing enough to give me a clean shot.

“It’s safe and sound. I gave it to your mom.”

“What are you two talking about?”

“None of your fucking business. You will have to pry my woman and my daughter out of my cold, dead hands, you sorry sack of shit.” He takes aim at me, and I don’t even care as long as the gun isn’t pointing at Celest.

“If you insist.”

Two gunshots ring out as Celest screams my name. He gets off a round before I can dodge it. As I drop to the wooden floor, the wind is knocked out of me, and agonizing pain radiates from the gunshot wound in my thigh. The warmth of my blood seeps into my jeans, and every move I make is agony, but I need to get to Celest. She’s shaking so much her legs buckle as she drops to her knees, her face splattered in blood, strangled cries ripping through this shell of a house.

I need to get to Celest. My thigh burns as I crawl toward her, knowing I can’t stand. I’m losing blood fast, but I need to check her over. “Are you hurt? Talk to me.”

“I…”

I drag myself the last few feet. “Let me look at you. Are you okay?” I cup her face in my hands, needing to feel her warmth and know she’s safe. I failed her, and now she needs to live with this memory for the rest of her life.

“You…” she chokes out, “… killed him. For me.”

My lips crash down on hers as I pull her into my lap. The pain is excruciating, but I need her more than my next breath. When my head starts to spin, I know I’m losing too much blood. “I would do anything for you, pet. You and Gracie are everything to me.”

“I love you, Flex.” Her voice trembles, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she cups my face. “I can’t believe he’s gone. You saved me. I thought I was going to die. I thought I was never going to see you again.”

“I’m sorry, pet. I dropped the ball. It shouldn’t have come to this.”

“Flex…” She sounds far away as my vision starts to blur.

“You’re safe now, pet.”

“Oh my God, you’re bleeding.” It all happened so quickly she didn’t register my injuries.

“But you and Gracie can live your lives without fear. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.” I slump against the wall, trying to prop myself up. “My job is done.” I know I’m going into shock. If I lose much more blood, they’ll be taking me out of here in a body bag. I survived multiple tours of active duty—gotten out of much worse situations—and this drug lord piece of shit is going to end me.

“Your job isn’t done. Do you hear me? You don’t get to give up now, Flex Navarro.”

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