Page 112 of Faith
“You’ll be safe, Monty. Everyone will be safe.”
“Let go of her,” Zeke growled from the doorway.
“Zeke,” Nina breathed.
Gwendolyn pulled Nina in front of her, using her as a shield. “Oh, the boyfriend is here. I was hoping I’d get to meet you. Obviously, my sister didn’t share anything before, so I had to do some digging. But it’s so much better to get to know you in person.”
“Get the hell away from her.” Zeke had a gun pointed at them.
Gwendolyn put a gun to Nina’s head, the edge of the barrel pressing into her temple.
Nina yelped and tried to move away. She’d prayed for death a few times. Hoped the hell would end. But facing it, having a gun to her head and knowing she really was not going to have a future was so much worse than she’d feared.
“Don’t fucking move,” Gwendolyn growled, yanking Nina’s hair.
“This isn’t going to end well for you,” Zeke said.
Gwendolyn snorted. “You clearly didn’t take stock of the situation, boyfriend. We have big brother in here, and he’s not going to be very helpful to you. So, you’re outgunned.”
“I’m willing to take that chance. You’re not taking Nina. She’s mine.”
Nina shivered at the possessive tone of his voice, a smile lifting the edges of her lips.
Gwendolyn laughed. “Oh, this is rich. I love it. This is just like the movies we used to watch where the hero comes in and saves the day, acting all chivalrous and good. But you’re not good. You’re not even mediocre. Barely made it out of high school. Zero ambition or goals in life. You’ve been hanging on to big brother’s coattails forever. Just waiting for the chance that you could be a part of their family. Why would Nina want you?”
Zeke blanched, drawing back for half a second.
“Don’t listen to her,” Nina said.
Gwendolyn yanked Nina’s hair, keeping her in place as her shield. “Boyfriend and Big Brother are going to be good boys and they’re going to listen right now. We are going to walk out of this house, Nina, me, and Fernando. And if you try any funny stuff, someone gets a bullet.”
“We can’t let them come after us,” Fernando said.
“Hmm. You’re right,” Gwendolyn said. “Shoot him.”
Nina screamed as a gunshot went off behind her. “Monty!” Nina shoved Gwendolyn, breaking free and sliding on her knees to her brother’s side.
Monty laid on the floor, one hand free. Blood seeped from his arm onto the wood. Nina pressed her hand over the wound, hoping it was enough to stop the bleeding.
Another gunshot rang out, and a thud behind her said Fernando was down.
“NO!” Gwendolyn shouted.
“Hands up,” Zeke growled.
Nina watched them over her shoulder.
Zeke’s gun was on Gwendolyn. His eyes were hard, unyielding.
Gwendolyn snarled at him, but she raised her hands. The gun she’d stuck against Nina’s head dangled from one finger.
“Put the gun down,” Zeke commanded.
“I don’t think I’m going to do that.” Gwendolyn spun the gun into her hand and pointed it at Nina. “Are you willing to risk that you’re faster than me?”
Gwendolyn didn’t give Zeke a chance to answer before she pulled the trigger.
The spark at the end of the gun was bright. Brighter than Nina expected. She’d never stared into the end of a gun as it was fired. She drew back, as though that would help. As though it would save her.
