Page 57 of Savage Princess

My heart stutters in my chest. I’m not sure I believe him—but I’m also not sure I can afford to not take the chance that he’s telling the truth. I already knew that what I bought was a hail Mary at best, a hope that I could keep Levin from dying with just what I could buy and use with my own two hands. But I know actual medicine could make the difference.

“How much?” I ask, and when the man gives me a number, I try to think of how much the store clerk handed me back, if it’s enough. I think it is. And if it’s not—

You could take them and run. You have a gun. Use it if you have to.

“I’ve got enough,” I tell him with a confidence I don’t entirely feel. “Hand me the medicine, and I’ll hand you the money at the same time. Deal?”

He chuckles again. “I don’t have it on me, little lady. Come with me, and I’ll get you what you need.”

Every instinct is screaming at me that this is dangerous, that it’s a terrible idea. That I’m as likely to end up raped or murdered or both as leave with medicine that can help save Levin. But if there’s even a chance—

I have to take it.

I nod, swallowing hard. “After you.”

Clinging to the bag with one hand, I follow him down an alley on unsteady feet. The gun feels heavy in the jacket, and I run through what I’d do if I’m attacked, over and over again. The steps I’d take, and how quickly I could manage it. What I’m willing to do to get the medicine. What I’m willing to do to get away.

I’m going to have a hell of a story to tell Levin when he wakes up.

When he wakes up.

I follow the man all the way down the alley, across a side street, and down two more alleys, to a small, dingy building almost a block away. With every step, my heart beats harder in my chest, anxiety leaving a sick taste at the back of my throat. But I’ve come too far to stop now.

“I’ll wait outside while you get the antibiotics,” I tell the man firmly when we reach the doorway. “I’m not coming in with you. Bring them out, and I’ll hand you the money.” I keep my voice as firm as I can make it. I want him to believe he can only push me so far.

The man chuckles, turning to face me, and before I can fully grasp what’s happening, three more shadows come out of the darkness towards me, tall, masculine figures closing in on me in the alley. “You might have enough money, but we’ll take that and more. And then, if we’re satisfied, maybe I’ll dig up that medicine for you.”

Fuck.A horrible memory flashes back into my head—José looming over me in my bed, his hands on my arms, pinning me down as he demanded revenge in the payment he wanted. How if things had gone differently, the night could have ended up going so much worse.

I remember something else, too—José kneeling in the courtyard in front of my father, and the gunshot as he faced the consequences of those actions.

I’m determined that these men will, too.

“Get away from me,” I hiss, backing up as I look from side to side. “I’m not fucking kidding. I’ll give you money for the antibiotics, but if not—”

The laughter fills the air around me, dark and threatening, and I haven’t felt so much like prey since the auction. This is worse, even—there’s no protocol, no rules, not even the self-made rules of wealthy men. These are men who have cornered their quarry, who think they can do whatever they want,havewhatever they want.

I drop the bag. My hand is in the jacket before they can get to me, closing around the gun, and I rush forward, kneeing the huge man in front of me hard as I pull it out, driving my knee into his balls.

I can’t stop to think about what I’m doing. If I stop, I’ll never recover. I won’t make it out of here.

When I pull the trigger, I’m not sure where it hits him. The gun recoils in my hand, snapping up and nearly hitting me in the face, and I stagger backward as he slumps down the wall, bleeding from his stomach. His hand goes to the wound, and he stares at me in shock.

“Youbitch!”he snarls, and I know I only have seconds to take advantage of the upper hand I have as the other men flinch, surprised that I had the nerve to shoot one of them.

I stumble away, still clutching the gun, and as the other men come towards me, I keep shooting. I don’t know how many bullets are in it, I can’t stop shaking, and I’m convinced I’m going to collapse at any moment. Still, I pull the trigger again and again, until it clicks empty, and I stare at the scene in front of me, my hands trembling until I’m sure I’m going to drop it.

Two of them are on the ground, not moving. Another is on his side, moaning, and I can see blood seeping out onto the damp stone of the alleyway. The first man I shot, the one who brought me here, is slumped down against the wall. I can see the bloodstain he left on the surface behind him.

I step towards him, feeling like I might throw up as I lean down and grab his chin, lifting his face to mine. His skin is going pale, and he looks like he might black out at any second.

“Where’s the fucking medicine?” I ask, and he laughs, blood bubbling up between his lips.

“You don’t have any more bullets,puta,” he spits, blood spraying onto me as he speaks. “Fuck you.”

I drop my hand, and he sags forward.

“Go ahead and fucking die, then,” I spit back, and I stumble towards the door.

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