Page 87 of Unleash Hades
“I’m not totally heartless,” Richard chuckled, and the sound of it sent those unpleasant shivers up my spine. “Let’s leave it up to your mother, shall we?”
He pointed the gun back down, right at Romulus.
“Don’t touch him!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as Richard stepped between our boys, placing the gun against Romulus’ temple.
“Choose one, Calissandra,” he sneered. “Who’s your favorite, huh?”
He turned the gun to Remus, then back to Romulus.
“The sensitive one? Or the cold one?” Richard’s voice was like thunder that promised doom. “I can guess.”
He turned it back to Remus, and smiled.
“No!” I screamed, as Romulus let out one sad tear. “No! Don’t touch them! Don’t hurt them!”
I fell to my knees, all my pride gone. I’m not above begging.
I would do anything to save my boys. I’d do anything…
“Please, Richard,” I swallowed, trying to gentle my tone. “Please, you know I’ll do anything… I’ll…”
The small lift of his chin, I melted into a puddle of helplessness. He had all the cards. He had me in a checkmate. I was weak.I was pathetic. I would never win. He would always be there to walk over my grave.
I waited, feeling the sword of Damocles over my head, ready to cut me down. What cruelty would he bring down on me? What would I lose this time?
On our wedding day, I lost my sister. Then my father. Then friend. Now, I might lose my boys. All because I had the misfortune of falling for the charms of Richard Davenport. The fucking Devil himself.
“Sign your voting shares of Laurent Media to me,” he said, turning the gun on me. I felt the heat of its aim at the center of my forehead. The place where the bullet would pierce if he squeezed the trigger under his index finger.
I had allowed the sin of hope to crawl over my chest and think that I could defy him. That I could win. That I could get me and the boys out unharmed. But no one could get away from the Devil without sacrifice.
“I’ll do it,” I said, my hands still up in surrender. “Let them go, and I will call the lawyers.”
“Call the lawyers now, and then I will let them go.”
I needed more. I’d do anything. I’d give anything.
“Let them go now,” I bargained, “And I will call Chloe and havehersign the shares over to you.”
Remus’ eyes grew stormy dark, as he looked at me like it was a betrayal. Like I was committing some great sin. But my boy didn’t know how much I would do for them. What I would give up to keep my boys alive.
I’d give up everything. Even myself.
Richard smirked. He truly was evil.
“Well that we can work with,” he said, as he lifted the gun so it pointed harmlessly into the air.
“Mama, no!” Remus hissed.
“Sign them over, and then I will consider lettingoneof them go,” Richard said again.
“I’ll call Chloe, then…” I wasn’t even going to bargain for myself. What would the point be? “Let Romulus go.” I chose Rom not because I loved him more, but I knew Remus could stay cool for longer. “When you get confirmation that her shares are with you, let Remus go, and I’ll give you the rest.”
If you can fight, you can win.
I was fighting from moment to moment. I’d win, second by hard earned second.
Richard pulled that insipid black phone from his pocket, swiped it on, and flipped it towards me, holding it between his thumb and large index finger.
