Page 78 of Rebellion of a Kingdom

“Over here,” I choke out, “I’m here.” I roll onto my front and peer around the side of the table. “Jace?” I call out to him, but before he can respond I hear him howl in pain. I look round wildly trying to locate him, but it’s no use. Fuck. He’s already injured, I need to get to him, help him.

The doors at the front slam open and I see figures stepping through the smoke, as the gunfire echoes throughout the room. Max, Zack, and Connor O’Sullivan step inside, none of them seeing the guards waiting behind the pews thanks to the smoke.

I scream, “Look out!” Bullets spray towards them and Max pushes Zack aside, slamming them into the wall, just as a bullet takes out the president of the Crows. He drops to the floor with a bullet to his head. Fuck. I can’t watch another person be killed. I need a weapon and fast.

The smoke starts to clear out of the open door, and I notice Sarah staring wide-eyed at Zack, who stands just a few feet from her. Does she know who he is? I wonder if she thought he was dead. I wouldn't put it past Elliot to brag about what Greg did. I know they thought they’d murdered him.

Zack looks her way and then takes out a guard beside her. I can’t see where Elliot went, but he is no longer with Sarah. As Zack kills the guard, another steps towards him, raising their gun and firing. Sarah screams, diving in front of him and intercepting the bullet. It hits her in the chest, and she drops to the floor in the same instant that Zack shoots the guard in the head. He drops to his knees and uses his hands to try to stop her bleeding, just like I did for him, not too long ago.

“I’m sorry.” She chokes out and then her body goes limp in his arms. Neither of us have time to process it as more guards come into the room, having been pushed back by some of our guys as they continue to shoot at each other.

I try to crawl towards where Jace shouted from, broken glass cutting into me everywhere. A grip finds my foot, dragging me backwards. “Not so fast, wifey.” Greg pulls me towards him, and my hands reach out blindly, looking for something, anything, that I can use against him. He flips me over and smiles sadistically, “till death do us part remember?” A piece of glass is plunged into my side and I cry out, the agony hitting me instantly.

He climbs over me, pulling my dress up around my stomach, “If I can’t have you then neither can he.” He grips the wound at my side, and I almost black out from the pain. My hand darts out again, desperately searching for any kind of weapon. My fingers land on something hard and sharp and I snatch it up tightly, using every bit of force I can muster to bring it up and slam it into his shoulder.“Till death do us part, you sick fuck.”

It pierces through his skin and his weight collapses on top of me and he groans out in agony. Blood pours from his wound, mixing with mine and soaking through my dress. I spot the silver crucifix sticking out between his neck and shoulder as he chokes out. “I’m going to fucking kill you, you little cunt. Not even death will separate us.”

Before I can respond, his body is ripped off the top of me. I stare up and find Jace’s wild eyes looking down at us. Hand fisted around Greg’s own gun. He looks down at him in utter disgust.

“This is for them.” He shoots him right between the eyes with zero hesitation and then drops to his knees as he succumbs to his own pain.

I scramble to my feet, ignoring my own pain and blood loss just as Logan and Tyler burst in from a side entrance. They move to help me, but I point to Jace, “Get him out of here.” I order, as I stand up fully and lock in on Elliot Donovan. He is frozen to the spot where I am sure he was about to make his escape, staring down at his son's dead body. Marcus, Asher, and Lincoln appear from a back entrance as Elliot looks up and lets his gaze collide with mine.

Everything next, happens so fast.

Elliot raises his gun to me as Marcus raises his, both of them firing at the same time. Marcus hits Elliot right in the chest, killing him instantly as Elliot’s bullet barrels towards me. I brace for the impact, but it never comes, and the last thing I see is Asher stepping in its path.

The bullet pierces him and he drops to the floor in front of me. My scream is unlike any I’ve ever heard as I throw myself to my knees beside him.

“No. No. No.” I cry, “Ash?” I plead his name as I rip open his jacket and push up his shirt. Blood pulses from his body as he gasps out in agony.

“Elle.” Marcus tries to pull me back, but I shove him away.

“Ash?” I choke out. I press my hands to his wound, “I’m so sorry, Ash.” His blood feels warm in my hands as it glides out through my fingers.

“It’s okay, baby girl,” he pants out, eyes starting to close, and I grab his face, painting it with the crimson liquid.

“No. Don’t you dare fucking die on me.” Every word feels like a stab to my throat as I force it past my tears. “You can't leave me, you promised. I need you. Cassie needs you. Please just hold on.” My silk dress begins to turn red as his blood clogs into it.

This can’t be happening. He can’t die. He saved me from this fucking place and now he’s here bleeding out. I can’t even process the satisfaction of both Elliot and Greg lying dead, just a few feet away. They don’t matter. None of it matters. Because the only Donovan I have ever given a fuck about is about to die along with them.

I hear orders being shouted around me as Max and Zack make it over to us, but I ignore them all. “Ash, please.” I croak out, leaning forward to drop my head to his shoulder. “I love you. I love you so much, okay?”

Marcus drops down beside me, “Ells.” He pleas, but I continue to ignore him.

I feel Asher’s staggered breath against my hair, “I can’t do this without you. Please don’t leave me, not here, not like this.” I can barely breathe through the sobs choking out with my words.

My enemies are finally dead, my daughter is safe, but my best friend is going to die. What sort of sick justice is this?

His hand comes up to touch my cheek and it already feels cold. I lean into his touch as a thumb swipes away one of my tears. “I’ll be with you, Hells Bells. Always.”

I close my eyes and let my sobs break free. I can’t lose him. “Yes, Ash, always. Which is why you can't leave me. Please." His arm drops from my face and my eyes snap open. His glossy eyes leave me and drift to Marcus. Just one look passes between them and it communicates everything. Marcus curls his arms around me, the pain in my side nothing compared to the hole in my chest, as he lifts me up to pull me away.

I fight against him and the pain, kicking and screaming. “No, please. Don’t do this. No!” I battle with everything I have against his hold, but Marcus just tightens his arms. Smoke lingers all around us, burning my lungs. Blood spray coats the walls and bodies line the aisle. But all I can see is my best friend.

Marcus doesn’t stop until we are next to Lincoln. He is standing frozen, looking down at Ash’s dying form. “Get her out of here!” His voice grabs Linc’s attention and he immediately wraps his arms around me, restraining me, as I continue to fight.

“No, River, don’t do this. I’m not leaving him.” I beg, but they both ignore me as Logan helps Jace to his feet and supports his weight against his own. My gaze roams wildly across them all as I see them getting ready to leave.

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