Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Heavenly’s gaze flicked to Beck, wide and startled.
How had Seth found out about that? Why didn’t he tell us?
Beck’s answering expression said he hadn’t known, either. Then his expression shifted, as if something clicked into place. Like he finally knew the answer to some question he’d been asking.
“Bob had one job,” Gene ranted on. “All he had to do was end Seth and take Michael’s shit to our safe house. And he fucking failed! He’s too loyal to disobey orders, so the fact that his phone is heading straight here means that Seth clocked him and offed him. Motherfucker!”
When he pounded a fist against the wall, Heavenly flinched, watching as he paced, his movements choppy and agitated.
Unfortunately, the gun never wavered.
At least Seth was alive…for the time being. But he was coming here. To rescue them. And Gene knew that. That explained why he was holding them hostage. She, Grace, Hudson, and the others were leverage to bring Seth down.
Oh, god. How could she warn him, stop that from happening?
“Bob’s sloppy work made Seth think I’m running amateur hour, but if he’s stupid enough to underestimate me?” Gene’s smile turned cold. “School is in session, and I’m the teacher.”
Heavenly’s heart lurched with fear. Gene was both desperate and unhinged. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill Seth.
But Seth was smart. Trained and careful. He wouldn’t walk in blind.
Right?
Heavenly twisted her hands in her lap, nails digging into her palms. Next to her, Grace’s prayers grew louder—barely audible but frantic. Her fingers moved as if she rolled them over invisible rosary beads. And Hudson still tracked Gene with his stare, like a predator watching his prey.
Heavenly did her best to shove down her worries and hold onto hope.
“You.” Gene waved the gun in the kid’s direction, sending Heavenly’s heart jumping into her throat. “Get your ass off the couch.”
Hudson’s head snapped up, his jaw tight.
“Close those fucking drapes.” Gene pointed to the curtains at the front of the house.
Slowly, Hudson stood, fists clenched at his sides. His face was pale, but his eyes blazed with barely contained fury.
“Move!” Gene barked.
Hudson crossed to the front windows, took a regretful last glance outside, then yanked the drapes closed. As he did, the room fell into shadow—heavy, oppressive, suffocating. Everything felt smaller. Scarier.
Fear tightened Heavenly’s chest. She felt trapped, as if Gene was sealing them inside a tomb of his making.
“Good.” Gene nodded in approval. “We can’t let Seth have help, so take Beck and Carl to the basement.”
Hudson’s eyes widened. “What?”
“You heard me, you little shit. Lock them in. And grab their phones while you’re at it. Bring those to me.”
“That door only locks from the inside,” Hudson pointed out.
“Then wedge a fucking chair under the knob. And stop being a pain in the ass like your dad.”
Hudson hesitated, anger rolling off him in waves. His fists opened and closed. His breathing came fast and hard.
Was he considering taking on Gene?
Horror rolled through Heavenly. She shook her head in warning, not even trying to be subtle.
Gene saw. His eyes narrowed, then he swung the gun toward Heavenly. “Step it up, kid. Or she’ll be the first to die.”
He wasn’t kidding. His finger on the trigger, steady and ready, told Heavenly that.
“And you’ll be second, kid,” Gene promised, his voice cold. “Your choice.”
Hudson’s face twisted with fury and helplessness. Just when she worried he might take the bullet and go down fighting, Hudson slumped, his shoulders sagging in defeat. His jaw clenched so hard, she saw the muscle tick.
Beck, who sat slumped against the wall, pasty and sweating, groaned as he pressed his palm against his wound. His breathing shallowed. Blood soaked through his shirt, dripping onto the floor.
Worry burned Heavenly’s throat. Even in the shadows, she could see the fury in Beck’s eyes—the rage at being incapacitated and forced to leave her to Gene’s dubious mercy.
Her throat ached with words she didn’t dare speak, not that Beck would believe that she was fine, anyway.
Face full of apology, Hudson crouched beside Beck and hauled him to his feet. Her brave surgeon grunted, pain etched deep into every line of his face as he wrapped his good arm around Hudson’s shoulders and struggled to stand.
Together, they made their way to Carl, who still lay motionless on the floor, blood matting his hair. Since he’d fallen, he hadn’t made a sound. Hadn’t moved. Was he even breathing?
Hudson leaned Beck against the opening to the kitchen. Then, with a grunt, he grabbed Carl under the arms and dragged him toward the basement door. Beck stumbled alongside, every movement making him wince. Making him bleed faster.
Terror filled Heavenly as she and Beck exchanged one last glance before he disappeared around the corner. With her heart in her eyes, she silently told him that she loved him. That if this was the end, he’d been everything to her.