Page 103 of The Other Side

So, it was going to go down like this. Any hope Brett had of walking out of here without bloodshed was already out the window. Still, he’d hoped to keep the body count to zero.

And Brett was certain he and Thea weren’t going to be the ones meeting the coroner tonight.

This was the moment Brett prayed he’d put his trust in the right people.

He reached for his own weapon just as the familiar click of a pistol hammer pierced the room.

But it wasn’t Cain’s.

Cain’s attention jerked toward the door, and Brett glanced that way, prepared to divide his attention between two threats if necessary.

Gage stood in the broken doorway, his gun pointed at Cain. “Drop it.”

Cain cursed and raised his gun.

Gage shot first, and the impact jerked Cain’s shoulder, twisting him around on his way to the floor.

Thea screamed as the shot echoed in the small room, but her scream was too low and strained. She’d still been healing from the last time they hurt her. What damage had they done now?

He had to hope the police would bring medics with them. Thea needed to be checked out as soon as they got out of this mess.

Brett reached for her, keeping an eye on Bruce who stared back at him, waiting for a chance to strike.

“Thea, tell me you’re okay?”

“I’m okay.”

He reached behind her for her bound hands and cut them free. Crouching in front of her, he rested his hands on both sides of her face, searching for any sign of injury. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Brett had a second to glance at Bruce, who was making his way to his feet. Cain screamed and writhed on the floor, holding his bleeding shoulder.

Once Thea was free, he positioned himself in front of her while she stood and shook out her hands. He spoke low over his shoulder, all while keeping an eye on Bruce. “Stay behind me. Linc is holding Tommy outside, and the police are on their way.”

“Let them come!” Spit flew from Bruce’s mouth as he sneered. “You’re trespassing.”

The sinister smile on Bruce’s face should have brought on some fear, but Brett would never regret coming for Thea. Bringing her here had been a trap, but he’d walk through a field of landmines if necessary.

Nothing would keep him from saving Thea. Nothing.

“I gave you a chance,” Brett said, hoping to keep more weapons from coming out long enough for the police to arrive. “I offered you a ceasefire. You were stupid not to take it.”

Bruce shook his head and opened his mouth to plead his case for hate.

“If you think we win by killing each other, you’re wrong.”

Bruce pointed at Gage. “I knew you were a traitor.”

There was a scrape of metal, and Linc stepped over the broken door with his pistol pointed at Bruce.

Emerson Howard was behind him, glancing between Linc and her dad. The tension in her shoulders said she’d made a decision and still wasn’t sure it was the right one.

Bruce’s jaw moved back and forth like he was chewing something sour, and the crease between his brows grew deeper as he pointed at Linc and Emerson. “And you, too. You were a Patton from the start.”

Linc faltered for a second, clearly confused.

“What?” Emerson asked with narrowed eyes.

“You,” Bruce said, jabbing his finger clearly at her. “Your stupid mom couldn’t stay away from the Pattons. You’re just as much a Patton as he is.”

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