Page 62 of Soulless Angel

“Clover, I’m—”

“Don’t,” I cut him off. “Don’t you dare say anything that sounds like goodbye.”

JD watched us with growing joy. He gave a slow shake of his head, like it was all so much better than he’d hoped. “God, this is beautiful. I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”

He’d moved to stand between Raina and me, ready to put a bullet in either of us if the guys didn’t play their parts. Now he held the gun on me, inches from my face. I didn’t so much as look at him. My attention was all for Blaze.

The emotion in his eyes held me in its grip as he took a deep breath and pulled the trigger. Click.

JD burst into raucous laughter. “Fuck, this keeps getting better, doesn’t it? All right. You next, pretty boy.”

He nodded to Knight who shot him a dark glare. When Knight took the gun from Blaze, there was a moment where he hesitated. Like he thought about turning the gun on JD. JD saw it too.

He jammed his gun into my cheek before turning and pressing it against Raina’s face. “Don’t even think about it. I don’t know which girl you’re here for, but if you try what you’re thinking, they both die.”

He motioned for Knight to continue with the game. I wasn’t sure what JD had in mind. He seemed happy to drag this out. Anything for content. Maybe he planned to keep this gamegoing until none of the guys were left standing, then finish what he’d started with Raina and me before killing us too.

The man specialized in torture. There was no telling how long he might drag something like this out for. The thought made me almost come apart. How I managed to keep myself composed while hanging from the wall, watching this twisted game, was beyond me.

“Pull the trigger,” JD barked. “Or I pull mine.”

That spurred Knight into action. Steeling himself, he pulled the trigger. The shock on his face when the gun only clicked through an empty chamber was felt by all of us.

Then it came down to Havoc and Daire. Something about the venom in Havoc’s eyes must have ticked off JD because he chose Havoc to go next. Raina let out a little whimper as she strained against the chains holding her.

Havoc didn’t drag it out. He looked her right in the eyes and said, “Anything for you, Bad Girl.”

Then he pulled the trigger. I braced for the shot. We all did.

Another fucking click.

No. No, no, no!

Panic hit me hard and fast. My vision blurred, threatening to go black. There was only one shot left, and it was for Daire.

“Please, don’t do this,” I begged. “It doesn’t have to be this way. I’ll do anything, just stop this game.”

I rambled on and on, making wild promises to JD if he’d only spare Daire. I didn’t want to lose anyone. Somehow, I’d kept from melting down until now. Knowing there was only one shot left had broken me.

Ignoring me, JD turned to Daire. “She really loves you, huh? That’s sweet. There’s nothing I appreciate more than a tragic love story. Better get on with it, lover. Take your shot.”

JD’s gun was cold against the side of my face. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I continued to beg and plead.

“Don’t cry, Angel,” Daire said, calm as he took the gun from Havoc. “Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

JD snickered. “It’s a shame you won’t be around to see what I plan to do to your Angel. Now hurry up and blow your brains out for my audience.”

“Daire.” His name was a sob on my lips.

Daire raised the gun, pressing it to his temple. His hand was steady. He’d accepted his fate.

Holding my gaze intently, he said, “I love you, Clover.”

As he pulled the trigger, I let out a bloodcurdling scream.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

CLOVER

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