Page 117 of Something like Love

“Wait, we can’t just go down there. We need to come up with a plan,” he says, arms raised in surrender as he remembers the last time he stood in the way of my vengeance.

“The plan is I shoot, they die.”

“You shoot, Abi dies,” Quinn corrects, his eyes begging me to stop being unreasonable and listen to him.

He’s right.

Look what happened the last time I was irrational. Hank paid with his life. And so will Abi if I don’t stop and pull it together.

Taking a calming breath, I nod, although I wish I wasn’t.

“So what’s the plan?” I ask, my eyes zeroing in on Phil as he picks some invisible fluff off his shirt, not at all bothered that Tabitha stands beside him, crying.

“You and Tristan stay up here,” he of course says, and I turn around, glaring at him. “Let me finish…”

He huffs, and I nod. “I go out there, try and buy us some time while you sneak round the back, and catch them unawares.”

“That isn’t going to work for so many reasons. Anyone other than me going out there means Abi is as good as dead. They won’t shoot me, but you, they will,” I say, my heart about to launch from my chest.

“How do you know that?”

“I just do,” I reply, avoiding Tristan’s stare because he knows what I’m about to do.

He’s the only person who knows what Phil and Thomas have planned for me. And in the end, I always knew it would come to this.

“I’m going out there, Quinn, and you can either come with me, or you can stay in here,” I state with finality. This is no longer up for discussion.

Slamming my gun onto the dresser, I look at Quinn with nothing but regret in my eyes.

I’m so sorry I have put him through this, but I know he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Lose the piece if you’re coming with me. We go out there armed, they kill Abi.”

Quinn hates this as much as I do, but he knows I’m right. “Give this to Polly or Cynthia. Protect them, Tristan,” he says, grabbing Tristan by the shoulders and giving him a stiff nod.

Tristan hates that he’s been left behind, but he knows neither Quinn nor I would have it any other way. And this is Tabitha’s life we’re dealing with.

So he doesn’t argue as he accepts Quinn’s gun and nods. “Be careful. I’ll be watching from the front window, and if that fucker steps out of line, I won’t miss.”

Giving Tristan a weak smile, admiring his courage, I look at Quinn, who nods, because it’s showtime.

Latching onto the lacy edge, I rip the curtain aside so nothing shields me from the evil, predatory stare of Phil.

The moment he sees me, he has the audacity to laugh, happy to have finally caught his prey.

My knees shake, and my legs threaten to give out at any time, but I must appear strong. I refuse to show this bastard any weakness. Tabitha takes a step toward me when she sees me standing at the window, but Phil grips her arm, violently shoving her backward.

I bite my tongue to keep from crying out. My poker face must not slip because Abi’s life depends on it.

Crossing my arms defiantly over my chest, I glare at Phil, waiting for him to make his move. Remember, this is Phil’s game, and I have to play by his rules.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he pathetically calls out, and I roll my eyes because this guy is an absolute loser. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

I motion with my finger for this to get moving along, and Phil’s smirk suddenly dies down to a scowl.

“Two minutes,” I shout, holding up two fingers, looking at Phil and only Phil, because the moment I meet Abi’s tearstained eyes, my entire hard exterior will crumble down into the bullshit facade that it is.

Phil looks bored as he nods, but just for good measure, he wraps his arm around Abi’s trembling shoulders and leans toward her, smelling her hair.

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