Page 136 of You Had Me At Thirteen

Five.

For Matilda.

Four.

Tap out, motherfucker. Tap out.

Three.

Shit, I don’t think I can hold on…

The crowd’s screams echo in my ears, as Grimm’s face goes an off shade of purple. His legs kick out, his body shaking as he struggles to stay conscious. But before he can pass out, he taps my arm.

There’s another eruption from the crowd, and my arms and legs go slack. I fucking won. I’m going to get my girl back.

And everything is going to be fine.

FIFTY-NINE

Wren

* * *

Jordan hands me my thirty grand in a white envelope. It’s heavy in my hands as the weight of what it means settles into the pit of my stomach.

‘When’s the drop-off time?’ Jordan says while following me to my car.

I glance at my phone. ‘Twelve.’

Jordan nods and scratches his head. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?’

‘I can’t risk her life.’

‘Okay, I get it. You love her.’

‘More than anything. I should have fucking told her. What if something happens…’ I press my palms into my eye sockets, trying to stem the tears that are threatening to take me down.

If I can’t keep it together, I’ll lose everything, so I square my shoulders and push my chest out. For now, I’ll pretend I know what I’m doing.

‘Hey,’ Jordan says as he pats my shoulder, ‘she’ll be okay, man.’

I’m not usually one for hugging my mates, but this seems like the perfect opportunity to show Jordan how much I appreciate everything he’s done for me these last few months. Not just now, but ever since I found out my mum had cancer. Carla is lucky to have such a great guy – he just better stay that way.

Jordan hugs me tight. A few slaps on the back later he pulls back before glancing around the empty carpark. He puts his hand inside the pocket of his jacket, retrieving a large item, and holds it in his open palms in front of me.

‘What’s this?’ I peel back the dark fabric. Upon seeing what it is, I shove his hands away. ‘Fuck no, dude. No way.’

‘Take it. You might need it.’ He shoves the item back at me, before taking another glance around the carpark.

I stare at the gun in his hands before picking it up. As I turn it over in my hands, studying it as though it can’t end my life, I swallow hard. ‘This is so messed up.’

Jordan throws his arms up. ‘Look at the situation, Wren. The whole thing is messed up. It’s for Matilda, man.’

I blink at him and nod. ‘Okay… For Matilda.’

For her, I’ll kill, no matter the consequences.

For her, I’ll also die.

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