Page 190 of Devil's Bargain

Josh curses, clasping the back of his neck.

When I’m within reach, Baron pulls me to him. The gun digs into my temple. “I’m not losing her!”

Ben pulls a face. “You’re fucking sick!”

Baron strokes the side of my face with his free hand. “Tell them, sweet angel. Tell them it’s you and me.”

I hold Rick’s gaze, tears beading on my lashes. “It’s you and me.”

Baron’s wet breath rasps against my ear. “Tell them you love me!”

Matt kicks over a plant holder. “You let her go right the fuck now!”

“I love you!”

Rick’s eyes brim with tears. He looks from me to his dad and from his dad to me. “Dad, please. Don’t do this!”

Baron stiffens behind me. “You can’t have her, Son. She belongs to me! I bought her! She’s mine!”

I squeeze my eyes shut. It will all be over soon.

“Let us pass, or I will blow her brains out!”

My friends step aside because what other choice do they have?

“Kill them all! Make sure they don’t follow me!”

“No!” I plead in a panicked voice. “Don’t hurt them! I’ll go with you! I’ll do anything you want!”

He pushes me along. It’s not easy with his arm wrapped around my throat, the gun pressed to my temple, but we somehow make it to his car. I’m bundled inside, and then we’re off, wheel-spinning out of there.

“You’re scaring me!” I whisper as we hit the main road, watching the speedometer climb.

He’s sweating profusely. “They’re onto us, sweet angel. They will take you away from me!”

80. 90. 100.

“Slow down, please!”

“I can’t let them!”

“You’re sick, Baron. You need help!”

He ignores me as he keeps on raging. “I can’t let them take you the fuck away from me! You’re mine! My sweet angel!”

My voice is a broken whisper, “Your son needs you!”

He can’t hear me, too lost in his own internal war. He hits the steering wheel. “You want me, baby, don’t you?”

I nod, tears streaming down my cheeks.

130.

“Of course I do.”

“Tell me you love me!” His smile is manic, his pupils blown.

I break, sobbing, “I love you!”

“We’ll be together on the other side. It’ll be you and me forever!”

140.

“Baron, no…” My voice is barely audible for the screeching horn of the vehicle barreling toward us.

“It’s okay, sweet angel. I will never leave you!”

“Don’t do this, Baron! I love you! I love you so much!” It’s a miracle how I manage to speak coherently through my sobs and panic.

He reaches for my hand, his eyes intent on my face as headlights flood the car. The sickening sound of the hood crumpling is the last thing I hear before my world turns black.

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