Page 141 of Bloodstained Wings

Tristan’s eyes widen, and he looks distressed. He struggles to speak, but I don’t understand what he’s saying.

But before I can ask him to repeat his words, Rich ushers me outside and toward his car, hidden behind a row of bushes. He pauses in front of the car, tosses my bag into the back, and gestures to me to get in.

I pause and glance up at Rich’s face.

“What did you say happened again?”

Rich gives me an annoyed look. “I was nearby, checking on something for Carter, when he called me because he got a tip. As soon as I found out, I rushed over. The guy who’s been helping you with food and supplies wouldn’t let me pass, and that’s when I realized he was working with the enemy.”

Ice settles in my veins. “So, you killed him?”

Rich glances down both sides of the empty street and back at me. “We really don’t have time for this. We should already be driving away. Let’s discuss this later.”

“I want to know why you killed him.”

Rich runs a hand over his face. “Are you being serious right now? Just get in the damn car before you get us both killed.”

My earlier unease returns tenfold, and I realize why. I have a sinking feeling that Rich is lying to me, but I can’t prove it.

And for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.

“What I’m trying to understand is why Carter would call you and not Tristan. It doesn’t make sense.” Why would Carter trust Rich over his own cousin?

Carter and Tristan have had their differences, but when push comes to shove, I know those two have each other’s backs. And after the weeks we’ve spent together, I know that Tristan and I have come to an understanding of sorts. None of this makes sense.

Rich steps forward and holds his hands out in an obviously calming gesture. “You’re exhausted, and you’re paranoid. Let’s get in the car and talk about it at the safehouse.”

I shake my head. “I want to talk to Carter. Right now.”

Rich frowns. “Isabella,” he growls, his impatience clearly on the rise.

I pull my gun from the pocket of my sweater and point it at Rich with trembling hands. “Was I not being clear?”

Rich glances between the gun and my face. “Put the gun down, Isabella. We both know you’re not going to shoot me.”

I remove the safety and ignore the sweat forming on the back of my neck and sliding down the side of my face. “You have no idea what I would do to protect the people I love.”

Rich raises an eyebrow. “You’re bluffing. You know how I know? Because you’re not like him, Isabella, and that’s why the two of you are never going to have a future together. You know that as well as I do.”

“Stop talking.”

“You know that if you stay with him, you’re going to have to become like him, and you don’t want that.”

“Call Carter. Now.”

Because I am definitely not getting into a car with Rich. I have a sinking feeling that Rich is the “bad press” Carter has been dealing with for weeks, and I hate not knowing for sure.

Rich reaches into the pocket of his jacket, adopting a placating expression. “Why don’t you just calm down, okay? There’s no reason you and I can’t reach an agreement.”

Before the words completely leave his lips, he launches himself at me. Startled, I drop the gun and fall backward with a thud. Pain blossoms behind my eyelids as I struggle to push Rich off. He has a crazed look in his eyes as he tries to yank me to my feet.

I struggle and squirm. “Get off of me, you asshole.”

“I just need to get you away from him, and you’ll be able to see the truth.” Rich hoists me up and pins my arms behind my back. I writhe and scream, biting him when he covers my mouth. Panicked, I throw my head back, forcing him to loosen his grip. He grunts as I scramble away from him and fumble for the gun.

Before I know what’s happening, Rich launches himself at me again.

We both struggle for control of the gun. He turns it around and points it at me. My eyes widen as I work to push it away. Then, a shot rings out, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

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