Page 60 of Darling Wildfire
“Never heard of it.”
“That’s intentional,” he smirked. “One of those private, invitation only things.”
“If this is an invitation, I’m declining,” I said.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way,” he said. “IfAtroxwants you for the games, there’s not much you can do about it.”
“Games?”
Vetticus chuckled. “I save the best for the teams I sponsor of course. Perks of the job and all that. We’ll see if you make the cut. I have a feeling you’ll be a crowd favorite.”
“Let her go,” I said. “I’ll go with you—just let her go.”
Vetticus’ eyes sharpened, and an amused look crossed his face.
“You are not in control,” he said. “You’ll learn that the hard way I’m afraid.”
“Dad—” Cole whimpered.
Vetticus’ head whipped towards him and he reached down and pulled himout of Whit’s arms.
“No! No!” Whit struggled to hold on to Cole but the man behind her grabbed her and dragged her backwards. She thrashed against him until he slapped her and she fell back against the wall. I surged to my feet, only to get the butt of the rifle across my face. I fell to one knee, wiping blood out of my eyes and glared over at Vetticus who now held Cole in front of him.
“Cole, look at me,” I hissed. “It’s okay, bud—”
I didn’t know what else to say but the minute his eyes met mine, it seemed to take the edge off the fear and he wiped the tears off his face. Vetticus crouched down behind Cole and my attention jumped to him.
“He can’t help you, kid,” Vetticus sneered, cruel amusement glittered in his eyes.
Cole was still looking at me and seemed to draw strength from my anger because he scowled and then to my surprise, he snapped his foot back and kicked Vetticus between the legs. His grip on Cole loosened enough for him to slip out and run to me. I didn’t hesitate and pulled my knife from my boot as I knocked the gun trained on me aside and slammed the blade into the man’s thigh. He collapsed, giving Cole a clear path out the door.
“Cole, run!” I saw Cole take off down the hall and launched myself at Vetticus.
We crashed into the wall, plaster cracking around us as I got my arms around his neck. He punched me and we careened into the nightstand, toppling the lamp. I landed a solid blow to his head, and he dropped, dazed and unsteady. I heard a cry, but it was from the man holding Whit. She’d grabbed between his legs and sent him to his knees. I pulled her to her feet, and we sprinted out the door.
“Where’s Emy?” She asked once we were in the hallway.
“I sent her into the woods.”
We made it down the stairs, and I dragged Whit around the corner and straight into the man I’d stabbed who left to hunt Cole. I attacked him and wrestled the gun away as Whit scrambled down the hall towards the kitchen. I disarmed the man quickly and smashed the gun back into his face. He stumbled back, and I whirled towards him.
I was about to pull the trigger when I heard a gunshot behind me.
I turned and watched Whit stumble backwards into the kitchen island. She looked down at her stomach and clutched it as she turned to me slowly, shock in her wide eyes.
“No,” I breathed.
I reached her just as she fell and guided her to the ground. I grabbed anearby hand towel and pushed it under her hands.
“Here—it’s okay—it’s okay baby, I got you.”
She sobbed and clutched at my shirt.
“Theron—”
“Don’t talk, it’s okay, you’re okay—” My hand left a bloody smear on her cheek. She whimpered, and a sob escaped as pain lined her face before her eyes slowly dropped closed.
“No…no! Whit!” She slipped out of my arms as I frantically tried to wake her. “Whitney!”
