Page 41 of Brutal Collateral

Someone covered in blood holding a knife is kneeling over a body also covered in blood. My heart and brain go haywire, the expected vision not lining up with the reality my eyes are taking in.

The person holding the knife slowly turns to me, every second feeling like an hour.

“Drop the knife!” I yell, out of instinct.

Our eyes connect, and I nearly drop my gun.

“Hadleigh?”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Ava – Ten Minutes Earlier

“You are one stupidmotherfucker,” I say, feeling the steel blade against my throat.

“Shut up!” Brandon’s voice quivers with rotten breath in my ear.

“Your move,” I taunt him even though the knife is digging into my neck.

For a moment, I embrace death knowing that my brothers will burn the entire Irish clan to the ground for this. They’ll name fucking streets for me, for my sacrifice.

Brandon shoves me away, and I fall to my knees.

“I’m calling your brother right now. I’m telling him you killed my guards, and you tried to kill me.” He fumbles for his phone.

Bleary-eyed, I watch him. “And?”

“This ends today! You fucked up. Your brother needs to recognize me as the heir and agree to the truce, or I’ll kill you.”

I sit back on my heels. “Go ahead. Kill me.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “I’d love nothing more, you disgusting bitch. Your homicidal brothers ruined our turf.”

“Make sure you tell Ares that.” I take a breath and lay on my back, giving in to whatever the hell is going to happen.

I’m stripped down, my strength gone, and my emotions are flying all over the map. I’m dizzy, and I can’t think straight.

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