Page 88 of Protect Your Queen

“Let the girl out, Michael.” I could have fist bumped Stasia in that moment, as she lifted her hand to the side, as it gave extra protection to Jestiny. “I’m the one divorcing you and leaving you with nothing but the shirt on your back… though, that shirt belongs to me too.”

Okay, so maybe she wasn’t going to go down in history as the world’s best negotiator, but her intentions were in the right place.

“I’m not divorcing you because of her, or any of the other girls.”

Again, props on having her heart in the right place, but I was going to knock off a few points for delivery.

“I’m divorcing you because I’ve found someone else.”

Okay, she’s going about this all wrong. I finally let my voice be heard. “Let Jestiny out the door, and I’ll put my gun away. You guys can have your little domestic dispute by yourselves.”

Lie. I knew it. Stasia knew it, because she gave me a little smirk. Jes might know it, but I couldn’t worry about her feelings right now.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Dryden said through clenched teeth.

Well, he just signed his death warrant. But as long as that hammer wasn’t cocked back, I couldn’t take the shot. Not yet.

But give me one excuse, buddy…

I was begging him to put his round thumb on the top of that hammer.

“You can’t leave me, Stasia!”

“Of course, she won’t leave you,” I said, quickly, before Stasia could say anything to make the situation worse. “You guys have been partners for years.” That was probably true. “This is a temporary thing, and when she comes to her senses…”

“Get in the booth, Jestiny,” Stasia said through gritted teeth, turning her head slightly as she did.

Jestiny shook her head. “Chris?”

“I think you should do what she says, Jes,” I said as calmly as I could.

I wanted to call her Songbird. I wanted to tell her how much I cared. But that was a dead man’s words. I wouldn’t jinx us now by doing any “last words” or “death bed confessions”. I had no intention of dying, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to let her go down either.

“Is this your new pretty boy?” Dryden sneered, tilting his head towards me.

Sweat fell down my back, my throat constricted. Was he trying to imply that I was Stasia’s… lover? I wanted to burst out laughing, but I knew that’d just irritate him. I needed him to calm down before things escalated.

Then again, if he just tried to cock that hammer back… I could kill him and be in the clear, and this would all be wrapped up in a neat little bow.

“Cover your ears, Jes.” She’d need to if she wanted to keep her hearing.

She shuffled behind Mrs. Dryden, and I hoped she was doing what I commanded.

“Is this who you’re leaving me for?” Dryden’s voice was so loud, it echoed in the room. “A fucking bodyguard?”

“That’s ridiculous, Mr. Dryden.”Stay calm, Chris. Stay fucking calm.“I only met Stasia a day ago.”

“Ishewhy you’re leaving me? Huh? I should have known that bitch was going to be at fault somehow.” Dryden’s thumb lifted from the side of the revolver and touched the hammer as he swung his barrel in my direction.

Two things happened at once.

I squeezed the trigger, and shot went into Dryden’s skull, tilting his head to the side, spraying gray and red matter to the wall across from me. Next was a second shot, a loud clap of thunder that came from under Stasia’s arm. I saw the flash in the corner of my eyes as blood splattered across my mouth.

Chapter thirty-three

The Spillage

Jestiny

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