Page 61 of The Fallen
“You weren’t any different,” he continues, still seething with temper. “None of you Brodericks are. All greedy fuckers who deserve what’s coming to them.”
I shake my head and mumble behind his hand. His fingers pull away so I can speak, and I gulp in air, spitting the salty taste from my mouth. “What do you want?” I ask.
“Oh, it’s too late for that.”
He smiles, displaying a mouth of dirty teeth. Suddenly the farmhouse, his empty apartment, all makes sense. From the smell alone, he’s not washed in days. All the signs that he’s been sleeping rough are right in front of me in his festering form. “Far too late, Neve. I’m a murderer now, thanks to you. There’s no going back. You’ve ruined everything. And now I’m going to take everything from you.”
Tears leak from my eyes at his threat, and I think about everyone here who I care about. My family. Noah. Lewis is mad, perhaps crazy, but he’s right. The plan didn’t work, and now he’s got nothing more to lose, which makes him liable to shoot me and anyone else just because he wants to.
When we were in here before – with Daddy – I tried everything to stop him. He didn’t have to pull the trigger. I begged Daddy to give in, but Lewis was so focused on getting his money he couldn’t see what he was doing. And then Father stood up to him and wouldn’t back down.
“Pull the trigger then. Get it over with,” I choke out, testing what Lewis is really after.
“That would be far too easy. No. I think I’ll make you watch as I burn everything to the ground. See how you feel about having it all snatched away.”
“Step the fuck away from her,” Noah’s voice growls from somewhere behind me.
“Noah, he’s got a gun!” I scream, trying to warn him and hoping he’s not alone.
The distraction of Noah is enough for Lewis to loosen his grip, and I break to the left in an attempt to get free, but he grabs my arm and hauls me back against his body this time. His arm locks like a steel cable around my chest, and the gun now digs into my temple.
I search for Noah and lock eyes on his. For a moment, just looking at him makes the fear of the situation with Lewis diminish, and I calm myself. He’s stronger than Lewis, and despite how things were left between us, I know he’ll do everything he can to stop this psycho.
His body screams aggression as he steadily advances towards us like he’s stalking prey. He's carrying a shotgun, and I know he can handle one because I remember his own in the kitchen at the farm. But the sight of it in his grip causes a wave of terror to surge through me because he's now a threat to Lewis - far more dangerous than I will ever be.
“Noah, get help, please. Leave, get away from him.”
“Ahhh, isn’t that sweet? The nerd’s got feelings for the hired help.” Noah’s eyes flick to Lewis and back to me. “Yes, I’ve seen you. Patrolling like the mangy dog you are. A bit of muscle to deal with all of Landon’s problems, isn’t that right?”
“Watch your mouth, Davis.”
“Or what? I’m the one holding all the cards here,” he taunts, moving me around to prove his point.
“Put the fucking gun down.” Landon’s voice rings out into the space, and I glance to the left to see he’s also crept into the orangery.
“Oh, look. Big brother’s come to save the day. A shame it’s too late.”
“What does that mean?” Noah questions.
“Never you mind.”
“Lewis, please.” His grip is constricting around my neck.
“If you hurt her, I’ll fucking kill you,” Noah snarls as he edges forward again. His protective reaction gives me hope that maybe there could be an us after we get through this.
“With those guns, I don’t think you’ll risk it. You’ll kill her if you try to take me out.”
“Do you really want to take that chance?” Landon asks, his own shotgun now raised and pointed at Lewis.
Other voices from the rest of the family come streaming into the orangery, their gasps and shouts competing with one another.
Scott and Seffi, Ivy and Blake.
More targets, more guns.
Those carrying all point their weapons towards Lewis and me.
“Leave, go. All of you. Call the police!” I shout, desperate to keep my family safe.
