Page 49 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

For the first time she looks worried and I laugh. “You see, one spark from that gun and this whole place goes up with you in it. That’s why you want me to leave with you. You can’t tie me up because then you would have to put down the gun and this time, I’m ready for you and without that gun you are weak. I am trained to fight and I doubt you are. I don’t need a weapon - you do. As soon as that gun leaves your hand, it’s over for you and if it stays and goes off, it’s over for you.”

I see the uncertainty in her eyes as she realizes I’m right, and this time the power shifts. “I’ll say it again, give it up, walk away and forget we ever met. Tell your boss you failed or just disappear; I couldn’t give an actual fuck what you do. But this won’t get you anywhere but a coffin and a date with the Grim Reaper.”

She stares at me angrily and then heads across, still pointing the gun squarely at my head and growls, “Who the fuck wants to live, anyway.”

Before I can react, it all goes blank.

Chapter 39

Sawyer

Ifeel real fear as we ride like hell through the streets. Slade didn’t have time to explain, but told Axel to head back to the Castle and try to stop the Reapers. I know they set something up and the thought of Millie caught up in their shit is making my blood boil.

I’m not even sure how long it takes to reach the deserted building in the middle of nowhere, but it feels like a lifetime. I would welcome getting stopped by the cops right now because I would take any help I can get to save Millie.

As we approach, I see Avery’s car out front and my heart breaks into a million pieces as I see her dragging Millie from the building. As she hears us coming, she looks up and points her gun at Millie’s head.

“Stay back, or I’ll shoot.”

Slade jumps off his bike and growls, “Avery, it’s Slade.”

“Thank God, come and help me tie her up, then we can get her back inside.”

“What happened?”

She tried to escape, so I had to knock her out to tie her up again. The place is covered in gasoline and one shot from my gun would ruin the whole plan.”

“I’m calling it off.” Slade’s voice is even and calm as he approaches with care.

Avery looks up and sees me watching and shrieks, “Stay back, both of you.”

She hauls Millie to her feet and holds her like a shield and she points her gun at Millie’s head again and curses. “Fuck, Slade, this is not the time to change your mind. Have you forgotten what the Reapers did to your daddy? This is for him and you, remember, so don’t back out now or…”

She lifts the gun and points it at my brother. “I’ll fucking kill you too.”

I step forward. “Calm down, darlin’, there’ll be no one dying tonight.”

“You can stay away too. The last thing I need are two more cowards to get in my way. I can kill you both and her if I must because nothing is getting in my way, not now we’re so close.”

Slade shuffles a little nearer, and she yells, “I’m warning you, Slade, one more step and I’ll shoot to kill.”

“Like you did, Billy.”

Slade fixes her with an angry stare and she just laughs like a maniac. “So, you finally put the last jigsaw in place, congratulations. Yeah, I killed your old man because I needed a reason to get them here.”

“Why, what’s your problem with the Reapers?”

I step a little closer and she points the gun at me. “It’s not my problem, I’m just the hired help. It appears they have quite the bounty on their head. Now, I’m sorry guys, but it’s been fun.”

She raises her gun and points it at Slade, and I watch her trigger finger move as if in slow motion. However, as soon as she releases the catch, Millie elbows her sharply in the ribs and the shot goes wide as she stumbles back. The sound of gunfire echoes around the clearing and I draw my weapon. Millie punches her but Avery is not one to go down without a fight and it’s difficult to make out who’s who. Somehow, Avery grabs hold of the gun and points it directly at Millie’s head and as she makes to shoot, the sound of gunfire causes the birds to take flight from the trees and I hear a scream as I watch both women fall to the ground.

“Lower your weapons.”

Slade looks at me in shock as a hard voice shouts again, “I said fucking lower your weapons, or die.”

Quickly, I drop my gun and Slade does the same as the voice growls. “Hands on your head and drop to your knees.”

We do as he asks because we are not stupid enough to ignore a warning that could mean we are surrounded. Cops, Feds, but in my heart, I know, Reapers.

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