Page 68 of Glamour and Grit

Justin shakes his head. “You don't understand, Sis. Right now, they’re being nice. If you don’t do what they want, they’re going to stop being nice. And they’re still going to get what they want. Trust me, they’re very creative.”

A haunted look comes into his eyes, and I feel more sympathy for him than I did a moment ago. Justin is so far tangled up in this life that he can’t hope to find his way out again. He needs help, but maybe not the kind I can provide. Not anymore.

“Justin,” I say slowly. “I know what I’m going to say will upset you, but I’m done. No matter what happens with Moreno, if he tortures me until I break and do his stupid plan that won’t work, I’ll never have anything to do with you again. Ever.”

Justin’s eyes soften with hurt.

“Selene, come on, don’t be like that. You know, we’re the only family each other has got.”

He reaches for me, but I slap his hand away.

“Don’t touch me. I’m sick of you and your puppy dog expressions, your constant pleading that you just need one more chance, just onemore time you’ll lean on me and then you’ll be strong enough to go on your own.”

“Selene…”

“No, Justin. Enough is enough. If you make me go through with this, I’ll never speak to you again. You will be dead to me. You understand?”

Justin sighs and scratches behind his head.

“You’re just upset right now because you're scared. Moreno can have that effect on people. Look, just take a few minutes, make yourself a drink, watch some television, and relax. When you’re calmed down, I’m sure it won’t seem so bad anymore.”

I open my mouth to retort, but a sustained crackling sound cuts me off, followed by hollers and an extended scream. Justin’s jaw goes slack and he looks out the window at the marina gates.

“What’s going on?” he asks.

A joyous, hopeful laugh rips out of my core.

“What’s going on is, Dane is here. And anyone who gets in his way is a walking dead man.”

22

DANE

Islap the magazine into my H&K nine mil automatic with a metallic click. I glance over at Axel, his back flush against the wall of the miniature fortress that is Moreno’s marina.

“You ready?” I ask softly.

He scoffs. “Axel Sawyer was born ready.”

I scowl at him. “Mother fucker, the woman I care about more than life itself is in danger. I got no time for your cowboy bullshit. And if you refer to yourself in the third person again, you won’t have to worry about the Morenos. I’ll shoot you myself.”

His smile fades, and he nods.

“Sorry, my dude. You want to see serious? I’ll show you serious.”

“Wait, what are you doing–”

Axel spins around the corner of the gate, hauling his arm back for a haymaker. I hear the bone-crushing impact, and a second later the Moreno gatekeeper stumbles out onto the sidewalk, his mouth bleeding.

The guy goes for his gun. I’m a little bit quicker, bashing him in the temple with the barrel of my weapon.

He folds like a cheap motel blanket and hits the sidewalk, but hisTec-9 Uzi is more lively. It hits the ground and explodes into a cacophony of lead death. I dive for cover until the magazine is empty.

Axel peers out of the gate and gives a Tarzan like yell.

“Damn, did you see that? That was fucked up.”

“You’re fucked up! I can’t believe my own sister foisted you on me! Just try not to get either of us killed from here on in, okay?”

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