Page 120 of Poisoned Pawn

I’m bent over, holding my side with Rook’s hand back at the nape of my neck and tangled in my hair as voices yell around me, and I just make out the sound of a gun being cocked. I wait for the gunshot, but it never comes.

“Ralph, that’s enough,” a woman demands.

I’m spun to the side as he turns toward the female voice.

“Mother, dearest, how nice of you to join us. Looks like I’ll get to exorcise all my demons tonight.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX

CARTER

Iknew sending him those pictures would be a risk, and I should have fucking waited. A dark patch spreads across Star’s top as I yell at him and pull my gun. Fury seeps into my bones, and I point it at his head ready to fucking end this with one tiny squeeze of my finger. But then…

“Ralph, that’s enough,” Sloane says stepping into view.

How the fuck did she get here?

I don’t have time to worry about that though as Rook turns to his mother.

“Mother, dearest, how nice of you to join us. Looks like I’ll get to exorcise all my demons tonight.”

Star is bent double, clutching her side as Rook holds her captive by her hair. His knife hand is raised, pointing in Sloane’s direction now, and I could take my shot. I wouldn’t fucking miss.

“Ralph—”

“Don’t you fucking use that name,” he spits at Sloane, pointing the knife at her. “You lost any right to call me that when you abandoned me. Sold out your own son and husband too. Have you had a nice fucking life,Mum?”

Sloane holds her hands out, keeping them low with palms facing the floor. “I’m sorry, but I had no choice. It wasn’t safe. I did it for you,” she tells him.

I don’t know what her story is, but I’m not sure how much I believe that.

“Bullshit!” he shouts, his nose scrunched in disgust.

I look to Star, her face turned toward me just enough for me to see a combination of pain and shock. The realisation of who this woman is clear to her.

I watch as Sloane’s eyes drop to Star then back to Rook.

He doesn’t miss it either. “Ha-ha,” he barks with a chuckle. “Let’s have a proper introduction shall we.” He yanks Star up by her hair, the knife at her exposed throat, and she lets out a whimper but masks it quickly as she faces Sloane.

“This is Anastasia. How’s it feel, Mum, huh? How does it feel to look into the eyes of the woman that one son abused and the other is going to put in the ground?” He turns his face into hers and whispers something that I can’t hear. Star’s nostrils flare as she swallows thickly.

I’ve had enough of this shit. The second he moves that knife again, I’m taking the fucking shot. Rook knows it just like I know how swift and deadly he can be with a blade.

“Fuck you,” Star grits out between clenched teeth, her voice strained. “Your brother deserved to die. I only wish I could have been the one to fucking do it.” Her eyes find mine as she says her next words. “Be sure to tell him Bowser sends his regards when you see him.”

Rook snarls, his eyes narrowing with rage. In the blink of an eye, he’s lowered the knife and plunged it into Star’s side as she shouts out “Do it, Carter!”

Then everything slows down. Seconds tick by.

1…

Star lets out a piercing scream.

2…

Rook raises the knife in the air and throws it in Sloane’s direction as I pull the trigger.

3…

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