Page 37 of Redeem
“No,” Emilio yells and I jump a little. “He’s mine. I will be the one to take him out. But we all move in as one. A fucking team. They won't be expecting it.”
Arrow stops pacing and watches Emilio. I see his jaw tick, then he nods. “Deal, we do this together.”
“And we keep Izzy out of this, I...” Emilio says before I interrupt him.
“No fucking way you are leaving me out of this,” I snap as I open the door.
Emilio turns around, and when he sees me, his eyes widen. “Fuck,” he mutters to himself.
“Yeah...fuck.” I cock my head as I move to stand in the middle of the room with my arms crossed over my chest, staring down all four of my guys.
Arrow’s hands flex, and I can tell he doesn't want me here, or to be part of the plan. Emilio now starts to pace the room, and I feel the urge to push him onto the couch to stop him.
Madden’s sitting in one of the chairs, leaning forward and running his fingers along his jaw. The corner of his mouth lifts in amusement. He’s enjoying the showdown, which doesn’t surprise me.
Keegan kicks off the wall, void of his usual smile as he comes closer. “Yes, we are. I’m sorry, but I need you safe and away from all this shit,” he says, stepping forward until his shoes hit mine.
I grit my teeth, and when Arrow clears his throat, I spin to him, pointing at him with my finger before he says the same thing.
“I told you all. I’m not some fragile princess. I want to do this with you.” When none of them speak, I let out a loud sigh. I can handle this. I saw Adrian killed right before my eyes. I’ve seen bodies with bullet holes...I’ve never reacted badly. I can keep my head. I’m not the type of girl to scream at the sight of blood. As fucked up as it is, I’m good with bad people dying in front of me.
“I don’t want my father anywhere near you,” Emilio pleads, his body now pressing up against my back. His long fingers come up and wrap around my throat. I tilt my head back and look into his stormy blue eyes.
“That’s why we have to end him,” I whisper, pressing myself into his body. “Together.”
He growls deeply, his body rumbling, as he claims my lips. He kisses me with so much force, I almost sink to the floor. If he wasn't holding me up, I would have.
Someone wolf whistles, and I smile as I pull away from Emilio.
“Damn, I don’t know if I’m more pissed off that it's not my mouth you’re fucking or turned on right now.” Keegan shifts and grins over at me.
My cheeks burn, and I take a step backward out of Emilio’s reach. Madden watches us quietly from his chair, his finger gliding along his jaw. He winks and I forget why I'm even here in the first place.
"As much as I think it's a bad idea, Princess will come with us. We’ll end him together. Agreed?" Arrow says, looking around the room. He stops when his gaze meets mine, and I suck in a breath at the look he gives me.
"Who suddenly made you the boss?" Keegan grumbles and I look over at him. Shit, I don't want them to fight with each other. I see the grin and wink Keegan gives me. I roll my eyes. He’s just stirring up the tension he knows exists between Emilio and Arrow.
"No one is in charge. We are all in this together,” Emilio says. “There's no getting rid of him...even if we tried." He falls back onto the couch next to Madden.
“You tried to get rid of him?” I gasp.
Emilio’s eyes flash to mine, as if he forgot I was here. I see his lip turn up in a sly smile. “Maybe? What? You didn't think I wanted you for myself?” My mouth drops open. “I wasn't gonna kill him,” he mutters.
“I would have.” Madden grins over at me as he pulls out his knife. I bite my lip, remembering what he did with that knife not long ago.
I shake my head. This isn't what I came in here for. I want to help them. I want to be a part of this plan.
The door to the room creeps open, and Lily runs in, giggling, holding two dolls. She comes straight over to me, which takes me by surprise. She passes me one of the dolls, and I bend down, one knee on the floor, to be at her level.
“I wanna play more, Addie.”
I look over my shoulder, catching Keegan looking at me with so much adoration in his eyes. Lily launches herself into my arms, and I fall backward, landing on the carpet. Lily giggles in my arms, and it's the sweetest sound.
This girl deserves to be protected from Keegan's asshole father and all the mafia, for that matter. She deserves to have a normal life. One where she can explore and become whoever she wants to be. Not a puppet like I was trained to be.
Keegan appears above Lily and starts tickling her. She screams and laughs, squirming in my arms. I try to protect her from him, but he doesn't let up.
"Save me, Addie," Lily says between giggles.
