Page 84 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

“You got something you want to say? Or should we just start shooting?”

Benji snickered. “Really, Max. Is that any way to greet family?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Or I could simply draw my weapon and put a bullet in your chest.”

I heard Dani moving, and it filled me with relief. As Benji smirked up at me, I clocked her sliding off the bed and pressing herself along the wall. I prayed my cousin couldn't hear the soft rapping of her fingers against the plastered wall before she slipped into the bathroom. And the second I heard that door click behind me, I threw caution to the wind.

“Come and get some, then, I guess,” I said.

The second he lunged at me, I slammed the door closed. I heard his entire body hit it full force before the sound of crunching cartilage sounded in my ear. My smile practically split my face in half. I flipped the lock and backed up, moving to the dresser. I opened the first drawer and pulled out my shotgun as someone slammed against the door. I stuffed my pockets with ammunition and loaded the damn thing as Benji struggled to get the door open.

The sound of a muffled pistol sounded before the doorknob became nothing but a piece of useless metal on the floor.

“Gotta pick the right lock first!” I exclaimed.

Benji snarled. “When I get my hands on you, you’re dead, Max. You hear me? Dead!”

I stuffed a pistol into the back of my jeans and flipped my jacket over it. And just as the door came crashing in, I leveled my shotgun. The door slammed against the wall, with the corner embedding itself into the plaster. Benji strode in with a muffled pistol pointed directly at my face, so I decided to return the courtesy.

I raised my shotgun to his eye level as I backed closer to the bathroom door.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Benji asked.

“A dead man, soon enough.”

He snickered. “And yet, I’m pretty sure you’re going to be the dead one in a minute.”

“If you wanted me dead, you would’ve already shot me.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong, Max. Because unlike your father, I enjoy watching people squirm. Especially people who tried to keep me down all these years.”

I shrugged. “Sorry for assuming you had more potential. I guess even presidents get it wrong sometimes.”

His hand started trembling. “I never took you for the running sort, Max. But I suppose love makes men do stupid things.”

I stood in front of the bathroom door as a disgusting smile swept across his face.

“Hello, Bambi. Enjoying the bottom of that bathtub?”

Fuck.

I heard the bathroom door open behind me and I prayed to any god listening that nerves weren’t clouding Dani’s judgment. I needed her to remember her part in this plan. I made sure to take my place between her and Benji . But it worried me when I didn’t feel my leather jacket creeping up my back.

Come on, Dani. Take the fucking gun.

Benji seemed oblivious to her behind me. “Your brother showed his true colors tonight, you know.”

I nodded. “I’m sure he did.”

“He chose the winning side. Want to know why?”

I shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll tell me anyway. Pompous men always do that.”

He chuckled. “He knows your ship is sinking. He knows your father is going to change the way the game is played. And he knows he can cash in if he’s on the right side. See, Max? Money rules all. And your father has a great deal of it. How does that make you feel?”

“I guess relieved. Because I sure as hell don’t want to put up with cowards like John.”

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