Page 88 of The Prom

I stop and listen and as I glance up, I notice the surprise attack coming from behind the kids. Fuck and double fuck. He knew they were coming, or prepared for it. Of course, he has security. He would be a fool not to.

As soon as he finishes speaking, a slight movement in front changes to several around me and out of the shadows emerges Satan’s army.

Men in black suits, more at home in a boardroom than a shootout and as the man laughs at how clever he is, a sinister voice says smoothly, “Now what do we have here?”

It’s as if a small army has descended on the room and the guns trained on the hooded figures are definitely not their own.

“What the fuck is going on? Who the hell are you?” Christian is fast losing his cool and the newcomer laughs, which sends shivers down my spine.

“First, tell your men to lower their guns and let the kids go.”

“Now why would I do that?”

The man sneers and as he speaks, several gunshots crack the air and my heart almost fails as I notice every single gunman fall behind the kids upstairs.

“That’s why?” The newcomer sneers and heads toward Christian Duprey, confident that several guns are backing him up.

Christian obviously doesn’t realize that and wields his sword, stepping toward Imogen and holding the point to her heart. Thank god she can’t see what’s happening and I take aim with my gun, the middle of his head in my sight and as I prepare to fire, the man says, “Consider your society is now closed for business. Consider yourself my prisoner and consider yourself well and truly fucked.”

There’s silence and then I notice the kids backing away from the edge and I swear to God I will never ask for anything else in my life because the familiar sight of my team reassures me theyare now safe. I’m astonished at how many guns are trained on one group of people and knowing the Reapers will be marking every single man here settles my heart just a little.

As soon as the kids have left the room, the guy who’s now in charge laughs softly. “You’re a brave man threatening a woman who is tied up and defenseless. It reminds me what a fucking nobody you are.”

Christian sneers, “You know nothing about me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I knoweverythingabout you.”

He raises his arm and two similar figures step to his side and he growls, “Allow me to introduce my brothers. Dante, Romeo and I’m Lucian and in case you’re in any doubt, we fucking hate everything you stand for and our one pleasure in life—call it a hobby if you like, is heaping more misery on people like you than they have ever done in a lifetime. Consider yourself our prisoner, as well as your sick friends and for your information, our prisons are a one-way trip.”

“You’re such a big man.”

Christian laughs out loud like a maniac. “But I am in charge here and if you want to save these women, you will do everything I say.”

“I don’t.” Lucian shrugs. “My only interest in this has already left the building. If you kill these women, their blood is not on my hands.”

Christian’s eyes flash as the two men stare one another down and as he lifts the sword, I don’t even hesitate. My shot releases from the gun and hits him square between the eyes and as soon as the bullet enters his brain, all hell breaks loose.

Under the cover of fire, I run at speed toward Imogen, knowing my brothers have my back as they take out every fucking member of this society. The guys in black fall to the ground in cover, as Ryder yells, “Get down on your hands and knees and don’t move!”

A shower of bullets finds every mark and as I reach Imogen, I seize the samurai sword and cut the chains binding her to the bed. I am joined by another Reaper who does the same to Delilah and as we shield their bodies from the gunfire, I kiss her softly on the cheek and whisper, “I’ve got you darlin’. You’re safe now.”

It’s a strange thing to say when we are experiencing Armageddon, but as my body shields hers, the bullets would have to pass through me first. Imogen dies under my dead body and that will never change all the time I’m allowed to protect her.

The silence is surprising. As the last body falls, it’s eerie as fuck. No groans, no cries of pain, merely calm deadly silence.

Then it comes. “All Clear.”

I waste no time and pull away from Imogen and stare anxiously at her face. She’s not moving—at all.

“Fuck.” The low growl from Blade, who is in a similar position beside me with Delilah, reinforces my thoughts exactly.

“They’re drugged.” He growls and as I remove her blindfold, I swallow hard when Imogen’s beautiful eyes stare back at me, full of tears and something else, but despite everything, it’s evident she can’t move a muscle.

I stroke her face tenderly and whisper, “I’ve got you darlin’.”

I wish she could smile, could answer me even, and then I am pushed aside and before I can react, Flash pulls her into his arms and cradles her like a baby.

“I’m here darlin’. I’ve got you.”

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