Page 75 of The Shadow King's Brother

Is he bluffing? I don’t know.

But I can’t take that chance.

“Don’t,” I grind out, forcing my body to stay still. Every instinct is screaming at me to act—but one wrong move could end it all. I take one more step.

He grins, almost too smug.

“Depends on how you beha—”

I don’t wait for him to finish. I belt my lowered gun and then I lunge, all fury, all force.

But Eddie’s fast. He sidesteps, his elbow slamming into my ribs. The air punches out of my lungs, sharp and cold. I stagger, but I don’t stop. Not now.

Pain blooms across my side, but I shove forward, crashing into him, his gun skiddles across the cement floor. He slams into the concrete wall with a grunt, his breath knocked out of him. I use the momentum, trying to pin him, but he fights back viciously—his knee drives into my stomach, knocking the wind from my lungs. I stagger again, but I’m on him, both of us scrambling now.

He grabs for his gun, but I beat him to it. My hands are a blur, grabbing the barrel off the floor just as his hand closes around the grip. The gun is too close to him; I twist it in his hand, wrenching it free with a grunt, my wrist cracking from the strain. It tumbles across the slick surface, clattering to the other side of the room.

But Eddie isn’t done. He roars in frustration, shoving me hard. His fist slams into my jaw, snapping my head back, and a bolt of pain shoots through my skull. Blood floods my mouth, but I don’t let go.

He drives his shoulder into my chest, forcing me back a few steps. The air is thick with sweat and adrenaline, both of us panting and scrambling for control. His foot comes up, catching me under the ribs, and I stumble sideways. My head cracks against the wall. Stars explode in my vision, but I keep moving.

I reach for him again, clawing at his shirt, yanking him closer, slamming him into the wall again. My forearm presses against his throat, pinning him. He gasps for air, eyes wild, but he’s not out yet.

With all the force I have left, I shove my knee into his stomach. His eyes widen in surprise—then the sick sound of air rushing out of his lungs fills the space between us.

I bring the gun from my belt to his chest, the barrel hard against his ribs. My breath is ragged. His is shallow.

“Where. Is. She?” I growl, pressing harder against him.

Eddie laughs—low and cracked, like a man at the edge of insanity.

“God, you're predictable, Elio. So easily manipulated.”

I shove harder, the pressure building, but it’s not enough. The gun digs into his skin. I can feel him bucking, desperate, but I don’t give an inch.

“Tell me, damn you!” I roar, my voice raw, dangerous, the words scraping from deep in my chest.

His smile doesn't fade. It's fixed, unwavering, infuriating. "She's waiting for you, Elio. Waiting for her knight in shining armor to come and rescue her." His voice drops, taking on a mocking, taunting tone. "But can you get to her in time? Can you save her from what I have planned for her?"

Something cold and heavy settles in the pit of my stomach, a feeling of dread so profound it threatens to paralyze me.

Eddie steps back. "You should run, Elio. Every second you waste talking to me is a second she's closer to her end. And if you kill me, you’ll never be able to save her." He winks. "Clock's ticking."

I don’t hesitate.

No time for games. No time for threats.

I slam my fist into his face, feel his nose break under the force.

Fuck, that hurts.

He drops with a grunt, crumpling like a wounded animal. I am already turning, already moving.

“You think this ends here?” I yell, my voice ricocheting off the warehouse walls. “You’re not walking away from this, Eddie!”

I’m already halfway to the door, but I spin back just once, fury burning in every inch of me.

“I’m going to get Nica. And then I’m coming back for you. You hear me?”

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