Page 122 of Brutal Knight

"On your fucking knees!" Rook roared. With my heart pounding at the cold look in his eyes, I bent down.

My knees landed in cherries, the smell that permeated the room reminded me of that night. "I am sorry." I admitted, a knot in my throat. "I really am."

"You fucking celebrated my birthday, while your dad fucking killed her!" He heaved, his gaze mixed with both rage and anguish. I'd never seen him so angry. So out of control. "She was my whole world, she took care of me when my mom abandoned me."

"Your mom died, Rook."

"She chose drugs over me! She was my mom, but her high was more important. Just like you. You were my best friend, but you chose Coulter over me."

"I didn't."

"You did! Andshewas the only one who chose me. Despite being sick, she still took care of me. And you killed her! Admit it! You killed her!"

"It's true!" I choked out, the guilt inside me finally spilling over. "I did, and I'm sorry. I swear, I regret it."

"Why?" His pain was so palpable, it filled the whole room.

"I had no choice."

"You did! You could've warned me. You could've gotten us out."

"I couldn't," I insisted.

"Don't lie to me!" He dug the gun into my head. "Don't fucking lie!"

"I'm not!" I was dead. I knew it. He'd already written me off. "Tatiana, I love you, baby. I've always loved you."

"Don't say that," she answered, her voice hysterical. "Rook!"

"I'm sorry I left you in Cuba. Say you forgive me, baby."

"I don't forgive you! Rook stop this!"

Rook only sneered down at me. "You done?"

"No."

"I don't fucking care." He clicked off the safety.

"I swear!" I put my hands up in surrender. "I swear I have something you want."

"You can't talk your way out of this."

"I have information you want."

His jaw worked. "What kind of information?"

"The truth."

He trained his gun on my head. "You have five seconds to plead your case. Five, four,"

"Rook!" Tatiana said.

"I know who ordered nana dead."

At this, Rook froze. It took him a moment to respond. "Explain."

"My father didn't kill nana for the Kings."

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