Page 45 of Unmasked Prophecy

The gun is at Cyrus's temple before he can even open his door, and slowly, he winds the window down. “Don’t fucking move,” I snap, my voice a sharp command that cuts through the air. “Go get my father. You tell him to come out here, or I will shoot this motherfucker and scatter his brains across this compound.”

The group of men exchange glances, their eyes flicking between me and Cyrus. I see the disbelief on their faces, but I don’t flinch.

“Now,” I bark. “One wrong move, and he’s dead. I swear it.”

They hesitate, and I see the doubt. The uncertainty. They think they know me, but they don’t. Not anymore. They are about to see the true damage that years of abuse has done, only it won’t result in the fragile girl they think they can manipulate. I will shoot everyone here if I have to.

“Go!” I yell, the gun steady in my hands. “Or do I need to start putting holes through people?”

Finally, one of them moves, turning and rushing towards the main house. I watch him disappear inside, my heart pounding and my grip firm. Cyrus sits rigid beside me, his face a mask ofcontrolled anger. He’s scared, I can see it in his face, and it gives me a rush I didn’t know I needed.

We are not getting out of this car until I know for certain that it is safe to do so.

“You think this is going to work?” he mutters, his voice low.

“Oh, I know it will,” I say, my voice unwavering.

The seconds drag, each one heavy and suffocating. I see figures moving inside, a flurry of activity, and then the door swings open. My father steps out, his face impassive, his eyes locking onto mine with a calm that makes my stomach churn.

He walks towards the car with a measured pace, the others trailing behind him like obedient shadows. My pulse quickens, and I force myself to stay composed, to be the girl they don’t expect. The girl who won’t break.

As they near, I push the gun into Cyrus’s temple, my finger ready. “Tell them,” I say, my voice low but firm.

Cyrus’s jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he won’t do it. But then he speaks, his voice carrying through the yard. “She’s serious. Don’t do anything stupid.”

My father’s eyes narrow, but he holds up a hand, signaling the others to stop. Tension crackles in the air, and I know this is my chance. I take one more look around, making sure nobody is hiding anywhere, and then order Cyrus out of the car. He gets out first, and only then do I step out, pointing the gun right at my father this time.

The silence is deafening.

Weapons in this compound are illegal, and I know it. That’s how I know I’m the only one here with a gun.

“What do you want?”

My father’s voice is calm, and I hate that I can’t see any fear in his eyes.

It will be the best day of my life when I see fear.

Then, and only then, will I know I’ve won.

“You know what I want, Daddy,” I mutter, my voice laced with sarcasm.

A slow smile spreads across his face, more evil than even him. “Now, Nia, you don’t want this to get ugly, do you?”

I laugh, a sharp, bitter sound. “Ugly? You haven’t even seen ugly yet.” I wave the gun, reminding him I have it.

“You have no leverage,” my father replies, his voice dripping with contempt. “You think a gun is going to save you?”

“It got me this far,” I shoot back, my gaze steady. “And if you don’t want someone to die, you will hear me out.”

His jaw tenses, and it is so incredibly satisfying, I could scream with laughter. But I don’t. I just keep my eyes fixed on his.

“I ask you again, daughter. What do you want?”

“I want to see Lily. I want to know she is okay. I want your word she can leave with me when this is all said and done, and that you will never fucking look for us again. If you agree, I will give you what you want.”

His eyes flash, cold and calculating. “And what do you think that is?”

I don’t hesitate. I know exactly what he wants. “You want the club destroyed.”

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