Page 120 of Vow to Hate You

I froze. “What? No?—”

“We’re getting out of the city until I get the money. Move.”

“No.”

He raised the gun, his hand shaking as he pointed it at me. “Get the fuck up. I’m in charge here.”

He was losing it. Sweat covered his forehead, his hands shaking as he kept a tight hold on the gun. There was no way I was going anywhere with him. It was already bad enough that I was here. If he took me out of the city, it would be easier for him to make me disappear.

“Get up,” he screamed, stalking closer.

“Wait,” I pleaded. “He’ll transfer the money. You gave them two hours.”

A muffled click came from somewhere out of sight, making Percy whirl around. My heart leaped into my throat as I searched for any kind of movement. Maybe Damian did understand the hint I’d given him on the phone.

“What was that?” Percy peered around a corner of the drywall, keeping the gun in front of him.

“What was what?” I played dumb. “Did you hear something?”

“We need to leave.” He rushed to the elevator, pushing the button. “Get over here.”

My eyes rounded when I spotted Rhyett come into view from behind the wall where the elevators were. He put his finger to his lips, signaling for me to remain quiet. Percy let out a frustrated noise when the elevator didn’t open, and he slapped his palmagainst the metal. He reached over, hitting the button of the other one with the sign on it.

When neither of the elevator doors opened, he spun around, running toward me. The frenzied gleam in his eyes had me jumping off the chair. Rhyett crept closer, staying behind Percy. I backed up, my heels clicking on the floor until my spine hit drywall.

He shook the gun at me. “Don’t fucking run. We’re leaving.”

“Shoot me,” I challenged him. “I’m not leaving with you.”

“Do not fucking try to play me.”

“Hey, Percy,” Rhyett called out from behind him. “It’s not polite to aim a gun at a woman. It’s plain fucking stupid to be aiming it at Damian Valentin’s wife.”

Percy’s eyes filled with fear before he whipped around. A quick movement out of the corner of my eye was the only warning before Damian slipped in front of me. A cry of relief escaped me as I sagged against the drywall. Before I had a chance to say anything, Percy turned back around, shock flaring in his gaze when he saw my husband.

“It’s over, Percy,” Damian murmured calmly, raising his hands. “Stop this before you do something you can’t come back from.” He jerked a nod at Jack on the floor. “He doesn’t matter. My father was probably going to do worse for his betrayal. But if you hurt my wife, then your life is done. Put the gun down.”

“No, no, no,” Percy mumbled, his hands trembling as he held the weapon tightly, keeping it pointed at Damian. “I need that fucking money.”

Rhyett was silently getting closer to Percy, who still had his attention on us. My pulse thrashed when Percy’s finger hovered over the trigger. Damian shuffled to the side, keeping himself in front of me. I peered around him, not liking how desperate Percy looked.

“Put the gun down,” Damian repeated. “Then I’ll have all of it wired to your account. But that won’t happen when you’re still putting my wife’s life in danger.”

“You’re lying,” Percy screeched, his usual slicked back hair falling over his eyes. “No one is fucking leaving until I have the money. Send it now, or I’ll shoot you all.”

“Let me call Ash. I’ll have him wire it to you,” Damian tried to pacify him.

Rhyett flinched when he accidentally kicked a couple of loose nails on the cement. They scattered around, and Percy’s jaw clenched as he kept his eyes on Damian.

“Fuck you,” he spat out. “I know you’re trying to push me out of the club. I’ll have nothing if I let you walk away. This life is all I know. If I’m going, then I’m taking you with me.”

Rhyett lunged the moment Percy pulled the trigger.

“No,” I shrieked when the gun discharged.

Damian let out a grunt, staggering into me as he grabbed his left arm above his elbow. Panic clawed in my chest when blood seeped between his fingers. I snatched his good arm, letting out a protest when he moved to rush away.

“I’m fine. It hit my arm,” he gritted out. “Stay here, Talie.”

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