Page 85 of Like a Hurricane

“Go ahead and kill me, Everett,” Malakai looks me right in the eye, “Death doesn’t scare me.”

“You die and they all die,” I growl.

“It is the way.” He glances towards Arryn, “Go to your woman, Everett and then sit down. My patience is wearing thin.”

“Rett,” My name comes out on a broken cry, and I snap out of whatever was holding me in place and cross the space between us in large, sure steps. In the next second, I have her in my arms and she’s clinging to me.

“I’m sorry,” she whimpers, over and over, “I’m sorry.”

“I’ve got you,” I vow, “I’m here princess.”

“I don’t want to die,” she whispers.

“We need to sit, princess,” I explain to her, “Or none of us will be leaving this hotel.”

Chapter Forty-three

Malakai Farrow sits opposite me. The man I have been working for, for countless years, the ruthless, brutal man that takes no prisoners and shows no mercy.

Hewas the one targeting Arryn.

It doesn’t change anything. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing even if I had known. But now I can’t kill him. I can’t end this.

Kenneth’s body lays still and bleeding in front of the fire, his head split open and leaking all over the floor.

Arryn is at my side, her whole-body trembling while Olivia sits deathly still at her side. Kolt and Torin frame Malakai, the latter brother seething quietly in his chair. I’d pulled him into this. There was a chance none of us left here tonight and Maya would be left alone with Harper and her unborn baby.

I wasn’t stupid enough to believe Malakai was here without backup and protection. It would be several of his best men, the best killers all charged with keeping him safe, and should something happen to the man himself, it’ll be them who follow through with the order to take out his killer and their entire family.

Both Torin and I had been offered spots on that table, but both had declined. We wanted the freedom that came with choosing our targets.

Kolt hadn’t had such thoughts.

Malakai pours the Macallan into the crystal glasses in front of each of us, no one saying a word.

Beneath the table, I take Arryn’s hand, delicately stroking my thumb over her knuckles to try and soothe her.

“You Avery’s are something else,” Malakai begins, “First I lose one of my best killers,” he pointedly looks at Torin, “Then his brother fakes my targets death and kills the man I was using for cover.”

“Kenneth wasn’t your father,” Torin says.

“Fuck no,” Malakai scoffs, “He was just the man I was using while I handled some business. I needed something from him, and he needed something from me, it was a transactional relationship.”

“What business?”

“That’s where you all come in,” Malakai grins, whatever plan he has in place involves all of us somehow and I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be easy. “I will release you all. Kolten has served his debt, he is free to go, Torin too, but you, Everett, and your darling woman have a price to pay.”

“P-please,” Olivia speaks for the first time since we got here, “Don’t hurt my sister.”

Malakai flicks his eyes to the girl, letting them scan her slowly, “Well it all depends on the answer to my next statement.”

“Which is?” Arryn snaps, impatient and seething. She’s tense, ready to lunge should she need to.

“I need a wife.”

“No.” I growl.

“While Arryn is very pretty, Everett, she is not who I have in mind.”

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