Page 81 of The Fall of a Promise

“Very well,” Caishen says before nodding.

“Take care of my—”

The fourth shot goes off as Ethan falls.

He turns to me. “There are no heroes in this story, Anya. Saying nothing won’t save them.”

For the first time in my life, I don’t know what to say. I open my mouth again, but the words get stuck in my throat.

“Son of a bitch!” Tao yells as he rushes in the room before stopping with his hands raised. Eyes on his daughter, who cries for him. Nostrils flaring, he has the look of pure fury in his eyes.

The safety of the last gun clicks.

“Stop! Tao, do not move! Okay! Okay! I’ll do it!” I scream, holding my hands up in surrender.

“Fuck, no!” Nico yells, grabbing my waist. I turn to him, pleading with my eyes.

“You’ll do what?” Caishen asks, eyes gleaming with joy.

“I’ll leave with you,” I pause.

“And?” He raises a brow.

“I’ll marry your son,” I tell Caishen without taking my eyes off Nico. Pleading with my eyes for him to understand before turning to Caishen. “Let her go. I won’t go anywhere with you until you do.”

Nico grabs my hand, causing me to look at him. He dips his head, his eyes telling meit’s okay.

“You Americans are so weak. This was too easy,” Caishen announces with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“Let her go,” I demand, ignoring his remark. “Now!”

“Very well, then.” He rolls his eyes as ifhe’sthe one being inconvenienced. “Let go of the brat.”

He utters in Mandarin to the man still training a gun on her. Dot runs right into her father’s arms, and I’m finally able to breathe a little.

“Daddy!” she wails into his neck as he pulls her tightly to him and cradles her. Eyes closed with tears streaming down his face. He says a silent prayer before looking at me. I nod toward the exit, and he hesitates.

“Go,” I whisper to him. “That’s an order.”

His lips form a straight line before he turns and runs out.

“You son of a—” Nico grits and steps forward but stops abruptly as every gun gets trained on him.

“Nico,” I try to steady my voice. Holding my head up. I won’t let Caishen get the satisfaction of watching me break.

“I have to go with him, Nico. She’s just a chi—”

“I know, baby,” Nico says, nodding.

With shaky fingers still covered in my husband’s blood, I slip my engagement ring and wedding band off and tuck it into his jacket pocket.

“Keep them safe,” I whisper.

“Let’s go. We’re wasting time.” A visibly irritated Caishen signals for his men to leave.

Nico grabs me by the neck, pulling me into a fierce kiss. Ignoring his bloody hands, I kiss him back.

“The bodies,” I whisper.

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