Page 115 of Jump or Fall
Kimmie didn’t respond, but the subtle tilt of her head showed she’d heard him.
Dawson stood at the barricade entrance, waiting for them. His armor was unmistakable—matte black with bold red and silver stripes mimicking a tiger’s pattern. Even his helmet had a tiger’s head painted on it with silver fangs.
Flanking him were several upper-level Silvers, distinguishable by their gauntlets which allowed them to use their claws and the silver stripes on their dark gray suits.
Dawson’s hand clamped tightly around Nella’s arm.
Her eyes darted around, wide and shining with tears, before locking onto Mara.
Nella thought she was Kimmie.
Mara kept her movements subtle, glancing down at her remote to check for a connection to Dawson’s synth-mind.
Nothing.
That was strange. She connected to Jasper’s suit, along with two of Dawson’s men.
She offered Millon a subtle nod so he’d know it worked.
“Let’s get this over with,” Millon called out. “Let the girl go, and we’ll send Jasper and Mara over.”
Dawson flipped up his visor. “Send Mara first.”
Jasper let out a frustrated cry. “Come on! What is it with you?”
Dawson ignored him, his attention fixed solely on Kimmie. He gestured for her to step forward.
She took a tentative step. Whether it was part of the act or genuine fear, Mara couldn’t tell.
Then, taking a deep breath, Kimmie pressed on.
Dawson’s lips curved into the faintest smile as he watched her approach.
He released Nella’s arm. “Now Jasper and Nella walk at the same time.”
Millon shoved Jasper forward with the barrel of his gun. Jasper turned back and spat at his feet.
Nella lingered for a moment, her expression wavering between betrayal and confusion. She took a small step away, then looked back at Dawson, waiting for something—some sign that he would stop her.
Dawson waved a dismissive hand, muttering something too low to hear.
How had he managed to trick two women into adoring him? It was possible there were more. She’d only met one of his other women, Liv, and her hatred had been palpable. The sullen look in her dark, glossy eyes and the exhaustion weighing down her every movement—it had all but screamed resentment.
Nella’s hesitation turned to furious stomps, her glare fixed on Millon as she closed the distance.
“You assholes took the one good thing away from me,” she seethed.
Mara’s finger hovered over the remote. It was still connected, and she watched every movement, waiting for something to go wrong. If only she could flip up her visor and use the synth-mind to analyze the scene.
Dawson’s hand shot out, locking around Kimmie’s arm in an iron grip. Before anyone could react, he pulled a H-ekaton and fired.
Nella froze, her long hair shifting in the soft breeze. Her eyes widened in shock, mouth parting. She looked back in horror before her knees buckled and she collapsed.
No, he couldn’t have…
“No!” Kimmie’s scream ripped through the air. She lunged at Dawson, slamming her fist into his ribs.
He twisted out of the way with ease and backhanded her. Her synth-mind barely reacted in time to block the impact and she went reeling back. Dawson slid his gun across the ground toward Jasper.
