Page 31 of Princess of Vengeance

Fuck. I’m definitely going to throw up.

“I’ll execute them one by one, right in front of you.” His lips nearly brush my ear. “And I’ll make sure you have a perfect view when I put bullets in their heads. You’ll get to watch the light fade from their eyes, knowing their blood is on your hands. That your pride and stubbornness is what got them killed.”

My chest feels too tight, like I can’t get enough air. The image he’s painting burns itself into my brain. My men would be bleeding out while I watch, helpless to save them. Again.

“The choice is yours, Quinn.” He pulls back just enough to meet my eyes. “Their lives or your freedom. Choose wisely.”

I can’t let that happen. I won’t watch them die, not when I have the power to stop it. Even if stopping it means signing away my own life to this cold-blooded bastard.

“And if I say yes?” Just the thought of marrying him makes bile rise in my throat. “Then what?”

His lips curl into that predatory smile again. “Then they walk free. I have no interest in them.” He gestures dismissively at my men. “It’s you I want. Only you.”

I look at the three men I love more than my own life. Atlas, blood still dripping down his face, shaking his head frantically. Nico’s eyes wide with horror as he realizes what I’m considering. And Killian, deadly still now, watching me with an intensity that makes my chest ache.

But it’s not really a choice at all, is it? Not when all three of their lives are on the line.

“Yes.” The word comes out barely above a whisper, but it might as well be a gunshot for the way it makes my men react. They surge forward against their restraints, only to be yanked back by Malcolm’s guards.

“What was that?” Malcolm cups his ear. Fucking smug bastard.

“I said yes.” This time my voice is stronger, steadier. “But I want a minute to say goodbye first.”

He studies me for a long moment, then gives a single nod. “Fine. But don’t try anything stupid.” He gestures to one of his guys, who keeps his gun trained on me as I move toward my men. “Remember, one wrong move and they die anyway.”

I step closer to them, my heart already breaking at the rage and desperation I can see in their eyes. How the fuck do I say goodbye to the only three people who have ever truly understood me?

“I’m accepting Malcolm’s offer,” I say, keeping my voice cool and even.

Shock registers on all three of their faces, and Nico rears back like he’s been slapped.

“What the fuck?” he growls.

Atlas shakes his head. “Like hell you are!”

“Siren, no. You can’t?—”

Their raised voices blend together, all three of them talking at once.

“Ican,” I say, my voice clear and steady as I cut over their objections. “And I will.”

This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but I force the words out anyway. I have to make this look real. Malcolm is watching every move I make, and listening to every word. One slip-up, one hint that this isn’t genuine, and he’ll put bullets in their heads just out of spite.

And the only way to keep these stubborn, protective men from getting themselves killed trying to save me is to make them think I don’t need saving.

“You have to understand, it’s just business.” I shrug, as if my heart isn’t being ripped to shreds. “This is the better choice forme. Malcolm can offer me things you can’t. Protection. Power. A real seat at the table instead of always fighting from the outside.”

The stunned looks on their faces cut me deeper than the knife wounds I’m still sporting. Atlas looks like I just punched him in the gut. Killian’s expression goes completely blank, which is somehow worse than rage.

But Nico? There’s nothing but pure fury blazing in his eyes as he stares me down.

“Bullshit.” He spits the word at me. “You don’t mean that. This isn’t you.”

“You don’t know me as well as you think you do,” I lie, hating myself for every word. “At the end of the day, I’m a survivor, and I’m doing what I have to do to survive. To get ahead. Malcolm runs this city, and I’m tired of fighting that reality.” I pause and do my best imitation of Malcolm’s cold smile. “Maybe it’s time to be smart instead of stubborn.”

“Don’t…” Nico’s voice cracks, and it takes everything in me not to break. “Don’t do this.”

“Don’t do what? Don’t take the best offer I’m likely to get? Sorry, but I’m done playing in the minor leagues with?—”

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