29. Kinsley

29

KINSLEY

My face hurts badly from where Elf punched me. I just want it all to end. I’m convinced I’m being punished for seducing Tiberius. Cleo hasn’t stopped rocking and mumbling for what feels like hours. Every time I try to talk to her, she grows louder.

My gaze moves to Rossi, who stands in the center of the room, watching something on an electronic tablet. He does not look happy from what I can see of the asshole.

“No!” he shouts, his voice seething with rage as he flings the tablet against the wall and tosses the chair aside. “You! Out of there now!” he spits in my direction. “On your fucking feet.”

I don’t move.

He pulls a pistol from the waistband of his pants. “Fucking move, you bitch, or I will shoot you in there.” By the look in his crazed eyes, he means it.

Without taking my eyes off him, I slowly move to the cell door, which he's opened. He gestures for me to move in front of him, close to the corridor. He unlocks Cleo’s cell and cocks the pistol. "You too," he growls.

Shit, Cleo is too far gone in her own head. "Let me get her," I offer.

"Hurry up! This is all going to fuck!" He waves the pistol around. The man is completely losing it.

I crouch beside Cleo. "You have to move," I whisper. "He's nut's, Cleo. Please come with me."

"I hate you."

"Yes, so you keep saying. It doesn't change the fact that he's going to kill us. We have a better chance if we're not locked in here."

Cleo stills and slowly stands. I walk out behind her.

"In front of me. We're going outside," Rossi snaps.

My fingers twitch with fear of the unknown. What is going on with Rossi? He's no longer in control, which makes him more dangerous.

The corridor echoes with the sound of our footfalls on the tiled floor. Funny how I hadn't noticed that before whenever Rossi and Elf came into the room. I glance over my shoulder, wondering if the room is soundproof. I catch Rossi's eye briefly before focusing on where I'm going. The man behind me is evil, twisted, and full of greed. I didn’t lie when I said I would kill him. The man has taken and taken from me.

All I know is that if he does anything to Tiberius, I will find a fucking alligator and let it tear the limbs off the bastard.

I know these thoughts, especially if I carry them out, make me as bad as him. I honestly don't care. I'm sure Rossi has more blood on his hands than I ever will.

The door ahead has an electronic keypad. I glance to the side, noticing Cleo looks more alert. I can't decide if she will be of help or hindrance if I try to escape the madman. In honesty, if Rossi put a gun in her hand, I believe she would kill me before him.

Rossi shoves us both into a corner and then moves to the panel at the door. He presses a few keys while keeping an eye on us. I strain to see what he's doing, but I'm at the wrong angle. He seems to be waiting for something, though.

"Why are you moving us now? Has Tiberius found what you want?"

His eyes narrow. "None of your business." He grins and looks at Cleo. "You wanted your brother? Well, you and his daughter will be joining him real soon."

"Veronica won't let you kill me," Cleo hisses.

"You are here because Veronica had you put here. My daughter does as she is told."

Cleo looks pissed, but I'm still wondering what is going on between her and Veronica. I try to catch Cleo's eye, but she avoids my gaze. It's clear that there is some history between them that I don't know about. As the tension in the room grows, I can sense that things are about to escalate.

Suddenly, there is a beep, and the door clicks open. Rossi grins triumphantly and gestures for us to move. Cleo gives me a sidelong glance.

"Move!" Rossi hisses.

Inhaling deeply, I step into the fresh air. I stand for a moment and enjoy the slight breeze that rustles my hair. Cleo hisses and shoots a deadly glare my way. I ignore the bitch. I get it—it’s everyone for themselves.

"Straight ahead," Rossi barks. "Hurry it up!"

A gunshot has me dropping to the ground, only to sigh in relief when I realize Rossi has been shot in the arm. His pistol lies on the ground. I notice it at the same time that Cleo does. We exchange a quick glance before lunging for the weapon. Cleo's hand closes around it first, and she points it at me with a triumphant smirk.

"It looks like it's just you and me now," she says, her eyes cold and calculating. "This is all your fault. My brother is dead because of you!" she shouts.

I take a few steps back. "My father is dead because you set me up. It's your fault, Cleo. If you hadn't gotten involved, Cannon would never have come after me. It's your fault, you bitch!" I spit out the words.

My knees go weak as I notice jean-clad men rushing toward us. More men emerge from the side, which I see out of the corner of my eye. I tell myself that Tiberius is one of them.

"Give me the gun!" Rossi snaps, moving toward Cleo. He doesn't get far before another shot takes him down. He's not dead yet.

Cleo takes the safety off the pistol and points it directly at my face. I watch as her finger starts to tighten on the trigger.

Tiberius races toward me with a look of fear on his face. He knows he won't get to me in time.

Another shot rings out, and my heart stops. Cleo drops dead at my feet. I snap out of my shock, quickly grab the gun, and stride to where Rossi lies.

"I have a promise to keep." I point the gun at him and blow a hole in his face.

"Well, fuck me, if that isn't the hottest thing I've ever seen."

I blink and find Prez standing across from me, wearing a massive grin. "If you need an itch scratching after that, I'm your man."

Tiberius reaches for me. "Motherfucker," he growls. "Go fuck someone else's girl. This one belongs to me." He turns me against his chest and cups my face in his hands. His eyes search mine, and then he presses a soft kiss on my lips. "I don't want to hurt you," he says while his eyes rove over my face.

Behind Tiberius, I catch movement. It's Veronica with a shotgun, and she looks unhinged. Considering her world has fallen apart, I can't blame her. When she aims at us, I don't think twice. I raise the pistol and fire. Tiberius and the others turn around. I think I missed until she collapses to the ground.

Nine strides out of the trees, his gun aimed at the woman. He removes a wicked-looking knife from Veronica's back and wipes the blood off on his pant leg. He looks at me. "You need lessons. An inch to the right, and I'd be dead."

I roll my eyes. "Regardless of our rocky start, I wasn't aiming for you. I didn't even see you."

Prez chuckles. "That's why you need lessons. You aimed for the bitch. The shot went wide."

"Oh!" I wince. "I don't suppose anyone has any painkillers? My face hurts like hell.”

"Doc has some. Let me find him." A man holds a hand out and grins. "You're one cool chick. Razor's the name."

I sense shock coming off the others in waves, which confuses me. I accept his hand anyway. "Kinsley."

He nods. "I'll find Doc."

Prez steps forward. "A good few of my men are on their way home now that the threat is neutralized and we have the girl back." He frowns. "Edge?"

As reality sinks in, I drop the gun and turn into Tiberius. His big, strong arms wrap around me as he holds me close.

"He's dead," I mumble into Tiberius’s chest. I sniffle and wipe my eyes with my fingers. "Rossi shot him in the head and tossed him into the lake." More fiercely, I say, "I am going to find him so he can be laid to rest with my mother. He was my father."

Prez grips Tiberius’s shoulder, and then he dips and presses a kiss to my forehead. "I'm sorry, Kinsley." He moves away.

Tiberius says, "Maia Edge told me about her son when I was looking for you."

I burst into tears.