Page 144 of Shades of Loyalty
I hate that I didn’t keep a gun in my hand. I could’ve fucked him over so quickly. But without any weapons? I’d be dead within seconds.
Right now, I feel like the only thing I can do is wait for my death. For our death. I feel hopeless.
Like nothing I can do will get us out of this unharmed. All because of this fucking traitor.
“Daniel, my beloved brother.”
I roll my eyes at his words. My God. Whatever he wants to say, it’s fucking enough—
“So, it’s you?” I ask. My voice is cold, fully in control. When in reality, I’m fucking terrified.
I have never feared something, or someone—but today, it finally happens. I hate that I’m giving Julian the satisfaction of being able to be the first one to achieve this.
“Of course it’s me. Took you long enough, honestly”, he chuckles behind me. When he pushes the gun further into my skull, I moan in pain. God. It fucking hurts.
Would it hurt if he’d shoot me right through the head? Would I even notice? Or would it be over quicker before I’d even realize anything?
A pained groan escapes my lips when my knees hit the floor. This asshole just made me fall onto my knees.
Jesus. I want to kill him. How the fuck did he—
Shit. This can’t happen. This has to be a nightmare… Itwasn’thim. It wasn’t my uncle…
I killed someone innocent. Ikilledsomeoneinnocent.
A sharp laugh escapes me, bitter and empty. My eyes lock onto the floor as the weight of it settles in. "Are you fucking serious?" My voice is hoarse, like it’s been ripped from my throat.
Julian clicks his tongue. "What's wrong? Got the wrong guy? Aw. I'm so sorry."
His voice makes me physically ill. Each word he spits out twists my stomach, a sickness creeping into my bones. I want to throw up right here, on this cold concrete floor.
I turn my head just slightly—just enough to catch Jennifer in my periphery. But the second our eyes meet, I look away. Fuck, I can’t.
She’s terrified.
She should be.
I should tell her to leave. I should be protecting her. But I don’t. I can’t. Not with Julian here.
The same bastard who tried to get my father to start a fucking sex-trafficking business. The same one who would do anything to win, no matter the cost.
"But... all the signs pointed athim." My voice is quieter now, tinged with disbelief. "You’re fucking with me, aren’t you? That wasn’t all you. You don’t have that much power—"
Pain explodes through my back before I even register the movement. His boot connects with my back hard, and I fold forward onto my hands and knees, a grunt ripping from my lips.
Fuck.
That shit hurts. The audacity this bastard has.
"I paid a few guys to set this up." His voice is smug, laced with amusement. "Didn’t see that one coming, did you, Caruso?"
I swallow down the pain, forcing myself to breathe. The silence stretches, pressing in on my ribs like a vice.
"Who did you pay?" I finally ask.
Julian hums like he’s enjoying this. His foot presses down, nearly shoving my face into the floor. The weight is suffocating. I can’t see where his gun is aimed at.
It better be on me. If he’s pointing it at her…
