Page 53 of Poker
“Call off the dogs, Mistress,” Malcolm orders. “Call ‘em off, or I’ll start shooting.”
“You can shoot all you want,” I tell him. “But I’m not calling anyone off. Besides, even if I did, do you really think they’d listen when you’re pointing a gun at me?”
Malcolm shifts his weapon and points it at Poker. “How about now?”
“Meri, don’t even think about it,” Poker says quietly. “He’s not gonna shoot me.”
I don’t even have time to blink when Malcolm pulls the trigger, and the bullet hits Poker in the arm. He hisses in pain but doesn’t waver.
“That all you got?” Poker taunts.
“Goddammit, P,” Crow barks. “Quit while you’re ahead.”
“I’m not fucking ahead as long as he’s got a gun pointed at my woman!”
“Gimme the word, Poker, and I’ll take him out,” Screamer says from his position.
“No one shoots him,” Poker demands. “I want him in the Nightmare Room.”
Malcolm pales. “What’s the Nightmare Room?” he asks, wavering since the moment he blew his way in here.
I can’t see his face, but I know Poker is grinning sadistically. “Use your imagination.”
There’s a pause, and then Malcolm squares his shoulders, shifting his gun to me. As much as I want to give Poker what he wants, this has to stop. I’ve already lost Conrad, and my man has already been shot. I can’t stand the thought of someone else getting hurt.
“This is the last time I’ll ask,” Malcolm begins. “Come wi?—”
A bullet to his head shuts Malcolm up.
“Who did that?” Poker roars, spinning around to take in all the men. They’re all shaking their heads, so he slides his angry gaze to me. “You?”
I shrug before slipping my gun back into the holster. “This had to end. I ended it.”
“Dammit, Meri,” he seethes.
“Don’t,” I snap. “I’m not saying this was my fault, but it did happen because of me. It was my job to end it, and I did. I’ve told you from the beginning that I can take care of myself. Maybe now you’ll believe me.”
I whirl around to stomp off, but Poker’s right there to gather me in his arms.
“I’m sorry, babe,” he whispers against my head. “I’m sorry. I just hate the fact that you had to take a life.”
I lift my eyes to his. “Have you ever regretted taking the life of someone who’s evil?”
“No.”
“And I won’t either. Malcolm may have been a run-of-the-mill creep, but he was still evil.”
“Have I told you today how much I love you?”
I smile. “A few times, but I’m good if you want to keep telling me.”
“I’ll tell you for the rest of our lives. I love you, Meri. So damn much.”
“I love you, too, Poker.”
EPILOGUE
POKER
