Page 18 of Tales You Win (Grim & Beast Duet 1)

“Tales is going to be your club one day, Grim. So you need to send a message out to anyone who thinks they can fuck over the Davidsons. Understand?”

“Yes,” she nods tightly, taking the gun from him. Her tongue peeks out of her mouth, wetting her parched lips. I bet her mouth is just as fucking dry. “Where?”

“Where what?” Carter replies, kicking Saxon in the stomach as he tries to grasp his suit jacket. Saxon doubles over, his chest heaving.

“Where do you want me to shoot him?” Kate asks as Carter moves out of her way so she can step in front of Saxon. He slowly pushes up from the floor, his hands reaching for her now. I step in and slap his hands away.

“Hands off!” I growl.

Rodriguez snorts, earning him a narrowed look from Kate. “What’syourproblem?” she asks.

“You asked where you need to shoot him. It’s obvious, no? In thehead,” he replies with a wink.

“Don’t you want to… Fuck him up some more?” She turns to look at her dad, a question in her eyes, and maybe a plea of sorts. Despite her now steady voice, she can’t hide her true feelings. At least not from me. I was right. She ain’t ready to kill a man.

“No, we’re done here. Shoot him in the head,” Carter says offhandedly.

Kate nods, then presses the muzzle against Saxon’s forehead. Her hand is shaking and she tenses every muscle in her body in an attempt to get a hold of herself.

“Carter…” I begin, but he holds his hand up, cutting me off.

“She’sready,” he insists.

Kate swallows hard, gritting her teeth as her focus is pinned on the bloody and beaten man kneeling before her. Saxon stares back, his bloodshot eyes begging her not to kill him. In one last ditch attempt to save his pitiful life, he puts his palms together and attempts to form a sentence, his tears mingling with the blood that pumps from his severed tongue.

“Carter…” Kate says, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

“Pull the damn trigger, Grim,” he grinds out, patience waning.

Her nostrils flare, and I want to ask her why she came, why she didn’t listen to a damn word I said, but I don’t. I can’t. Not here. Not now. Later maybe when this is fucking over, I’ll get the chance.

“Do it!” Carter orders.

She wavers on her feet and her indecision fucking kills me. She’s in way over her head right now. “Let me,” I interject.

“The fuck you will,” Carter snaps, stepping up beside her. “Kill the motherfucker, Grim. Show me you got what it takes to run this place alongside me. Do it. Now!”

“Dad,” she whispers.

It’s a plea, one he chooses to ignore. She’s shaking so much that she has to cup her hand holding the gun to steady her aim.

“I saiddo it!” he shouts.

Kate jumps, and without giving it a second thought, I press my chest against her back and slide my hands down her arms. Grasping her hands in mine, I reposition the gun, helping her to hold it steady against Saxon’s head.

“The fuck, Beast?” Carter spits, but I ignore him.

I don’t give a fuck what this looks like. Right now the only person I give a shit about is Kate. If her dad’s not willing to do what’s right, then I will. I fucking will. I’ll steady her hand whilst she takes a life.

She releases a breath from her mouth, her muscles relaxing the tiniest amount, telling me that for whatever reason she feels safe in my arms. For the briefest of moments I allow myself to bask in that knowledge, then I lower my mouth to her ear, and not giving two fucks who’s watching, whisper, “Choose.”

She knows what I mean even if no one else does.

Kill Saxon and become Grim. Step away and remain Kate.

She chooses.

---