Page 31 of Severed Rivalry
“No,” she wails.
“Do it,” the unmasked apparent leader of the group says. “Last time we ask,Princess. Pull the trigger or your brother will know what it’s like to have copper and lead slice through his brain.”
Fuck me. I don’t want to die. I don’t know what I missed or how long I was unconscious, but none of it was good. I can only see through one eye and what remains of my vision is warped for sure, but she’ll never live with herself if she has to make whatever choice it is they’re forcing.
“Don’t do it, sis,” I offer as loudly as I can muster with my mouth a bloody mess, careful to avoid biting my swollen cheek.
Three things happen at once. Sirens scream and brakes screech at the street as gunfire explodes inside the building. My teeth fly from the force of a punch I never see coming to my blind side. And the man who holds his gun to my temple crumples at an odd angle as brains spray the floor.
Temporary deafness, partial blindness, and overall fiery pain drag me to blissful unconsciousness.
I wake being strapped to a stretcher. My face is covered with what looks like the inside of a toilet plunger. I thrash and fight the restraints as voices urge me to calm down.
Calm down? No, the fuck, I won’t.
My life has flashed before my eyes more times today than I can count.
I have no idea how many of those men survived or are on the run.
They know my name. My address is public record. I’m vulnerable…
As is everyone I love.
My sister may or may not have had to kill our father.
My gums are swollen, and I’m gagging on the blood running down my throat, and I can barely see.
Fear slithers in my veins like a long, icy snake.
My final act of life will not be being smothered while I’m strapped in.
I scream.
Doctors.
Nurses.
X-Rays.
Surgeons.
Specialists.
CT scans.
Referrals.
Tests.
Bloodwork.
Hours upon hours I sit at a hospital—no clue which one—with people talking at me, making requests, ordering me to move or stay still, to rest but not sleep, asking questions I cannot answer.
I’m foggy, anxious, and want to know if my family is okay. Even my stupid, fucking father who got me into this mess.
If he’s not, I’m okay with that. I just want to know.
Where’s Ayla? Is she safe? What about her husband? And Liam? Is Mom safe from this mess? Were those crazy mother fuckers watching me? Did I lead them straight to Sariah’s doorstep?
