Page 42 of Concealed Deception

His distraction is working.The pressure eases from my temple while William focuses on the venom Xander spits at him.

It gives me the perfect chance.I try not to shake as I surreptitiously move my hand into my dress pocket.I have a lot to thank Quinn for if I get out of here alive.

“I’m going to tear your world from beneath you.Every man that answered to you is already dead.Now it’s your turn.”Xander continues speaking.He doesn’t know what I’m up to but he’s doing everything he can to get the gun pointed away from me and trained on him.

Bit by bit, I see the man behind Xander move his hand around his back.

William finally removes the gun from my head, giving me the perfect opportunity.With adrenaline coursing my body, I steady my fingers as they curl around the cool steel.

I continue to watch the other man while Xander says his final blow, then I make my move.It all happens so fast.I stab the pointed scissors into William’s leg at the same time the man raises his gun.Loud cracks ricochet throughout the room and I’m knocked to the floor.

The room fills with red as my vision blurs.Or is that blood?I bring my hand to the source of the pain as it sears through my shoulder.Though, it’s the blood of the man lying on the floor beside me that grabs my attention more.

“Ava, no!”a male voice shouts as I look in the direction of a lifeless body.

My body convulses as recognition takes hold, then in a whisper, my world slips away.

“Xander…”

I hear faint voices but can’t recognize who they belong to.“I know that.He’s lying dead in front of me.You take care of Alexander.I need to get Ava out of here, I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

I sense him before I see him.“Tony…” My voice is faint.It hurts to move.Pain radiates through my shoulder while my fingers on the same side tingle.I try to sit up but I’m groggy from the bang to my head.“Help… him…” I attempt to voice.I need him to help Xander.

“He’s going to be alright, Ava.He’s been shot, but he’ll survive.He’s tough.I need to worry about you.If he finds out I went to him over you, he’ll come back with a vengeance to kill me for real this time, and frankly, I like my life.”He chuckles, trying to make light of the situation.

I struggle to open my eyes.Red still surrounds my vision, and with further assurance, I see it’s William’s blood, not Xander’s.

“You did a good job, Ava.Our guy will be damn proud of you.Now, I need you to let me help you.I need to get you to the hospital.Please let me and don’t be stubborn.”I’ve not known Tony to be this concerned about another person.But I kind of like this side of him.

“I want to see him.I’m not going anywhere until I see him.Take me to him, Tony.Please.”I manage to sit up on my own, then with the help of my good arm and Tony’s support, I can stand up.

The sight of the room makes me dry retch.“I can’t believe I did that.My actions helped kill a person, Tony, and it got Xander shot.Oh God, what was I thinking?”

“Oh, fuck,” Tony mutters under his breath.“You’re going into shock.Ava, look at me.You didn’t kill him.Miles did.”His voice rings in my ears as my lungs struggle to inhale adequate air.“Oh, for crying out loud, don’t you dare flake out on me again.Fuck, Vince, get your ass in here and help me get her up.”

“What’s wrong with her?”I hear Vince ask.

I force my eyes open and see him drenched in blood.“You said he’d be okay.You lied.Asshole…”

“Ava.”Both men are yelling my name as I close my eyes.

“I’m tired.”

“Fuck, we need to go,” Tony orders.

I don’t make it to the doorway before I’m encased in darkness, again.

Twenty-Five

Ava

Hushed tones surround me.I want to open my eyes, yet they’re glued closed.I get a sense of déjà vu as I try to focus on the beeping and hushed male conversation.

“She’s going to kick your ass when she wakes up, Tony.You told her Mr.Lamont was okay.What the hell are we going to tell her?”

I can’t tell if that voice belongs to Vince or Knox, but I know it’s one of theirs by addressing Xander officially.

“What should I have told her?That he was losing a lot of blood and we didn’t know if he was going to make it?Hell no.He told me to do what I had to.If that means lying to Ava, so be it.”

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