Page 121 of Wicked Duty
“The problem with that plan is I don’t want any other model. Lucy is special. Aren’t you, my pet?”
My molars grind over the affectionate nickname. Benetti’s nostrils flare. He starts to swing toward Roguilin, lowering his gun hand a little in the process.
Capitalizing on his distraction, I pull the trigger twice in rapid succession. Blood explodes from his skull. He stumbles, and Heather screams as his weapon discharges.
When she jerks free, I plug another bullet in his chest. He hits the floor and doesn’t move.
Throughout all the chaos, Roguilin remains still. Unfortunately, his grip on Lucy never slackens, and his gun never wavers from her head. “No great loss. He was clearly a man who didn’t appreciate a priceless object when he saw one. Now, what do you propose?”
First, I propose cutting off his dick and feeding it to him for referring to my woman as an object. Since punishment isn’t in the cards at the moment, the remaining option is waiting for him to let his guard down. Or I persuade him to change his mind, but given his obvious obsession, I’m not banking on that happening.
Part of me understands. Lucy Marlow is the kind of woman who garners that type of devotion…unhinged or not.
The red light on my vest captivates Lucy. I want to eliminate her quivering chin and haunted expression, but I can’t reveal the truth. Even though the threat of explosives seem to have already outlived their usefulness. With Roguilin unwilling to accept the wallet in exchange for Lucy, the attempt at leverage is dead in the water.
For a sane man, the vest should provide me with security from an attack.
I’m not convinced of Roguilin’s sanity just yet.
Either way. The only acceptable outcome is freeing Lucy from his clutches. I’d let him use my body as target practice before I allow him to abuse her again.
“Look, the only way you survive this is to take the trade.”
Something inexplicable contorts Roguilin’s features. “Maybe, but you’ll go first.”
After that, events play out in rapid succession.
Reading the threat, Lucy kicks back with her right foot and then sags all her body weight to the floor.
Veronika shouts from somewhere nearby. “Lucy!”
I shoot. My first bullet hits Roguilin in the shoulder, but the second time I pull the trigger, nothing happens.
Out of ammo.
Roguilin aims. “Let’s see who claims her in Hell.”
One.
“No!” Lucy’s shriek is agonizing.
Two.
I dive for the floor.
Three.
Pain blasts through me.
More shots fired.
Maybe using my body for target practice tempted fate.
My vision wavers. Warped voices thunder into my consciousness.
“Callum!”
Darren.
