Page 18 of Villain's Prey

That smug look drops from his face as does his hand from my wrist. He’s left the gun in my palm.

“Well,” he watches me, “don’t fail again.”

I shake my head at him. “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

“Winston Churchill.”

I drop his gun on the table. “It’s empty.” I knew it the second I grabbed it.

The weight wasn’t right. Sergei pulls out a clip from under his pillow.

“Glad to know you still have the same enthusiasm to kill me today.” His tone is pissed. He sits up. “Would you really do it, princess?” Sergei places the clip down next to the gun on the nightstand.

“I don’t want to.” Tears threaten to break free. “If you let me go, I—”

“No,” he cuts me off quickly. “You’re not going anywhere.” I’m not sure I could even if I killed him. There was a keypad for the elevator. You can lock people in or out.

I reach for the clip and the gun. Sergei doesn’t stop me. In one quick move I load and cock it, sliding a bullet into the chamber.

“Not gonna lie. That was hot.” Sergei doesn’t move, but he’s in no real danger. He’s too close now. If I tried to raise it toward him, he would grab it before I got a shot off. He knows that and made sure he sat right where he needed to on the edge of the bed.

“I don’t have to kill you.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” he repeats.

I step back and raise the gun. Sergei springs to his feet but freezes when I bring the gun to my own head. NowthatI could do.

“I think I could go if I wanted.”

“Princess, put the fucking gun down.” His tone has changed—no more smugness, no more playfulness.

“This is your game. You’re playing games with me. Maybe I don’t want to play anymore.” The gun was a test. Why? Does he think I’m going to stop fighting for my freedom?

“Put. The. Fucking. Gun. Down.”

“You know, just because you can bark your orders louder doesn’t change anything.” The silence grows between us. “I suppose I’m hesitating again, aren't I?”

“What about your enthusiasm?” He’s trying to reason with me.

“Are you worried your daddy will be mad when you only come back with my body?”

His jaw tightens. “I warned you about the daddy shit.”

“You also warned me about hesitating,” I remind him. “Thank you for not doing the things you could have done to me, but can I tell you one thing?”

“When have I ever gotten you to not run your mouth?” His words come out gruff but also strained.

“I don’t think you’re like them. Not fully. You’re smart.”

“You’re complimenting me now?”

“Always question where you stand. Challenge even your own family. I do. My father taught me that.” I smile, thinking about him. “Don’t get lost fighting for someone who wouldn’t do the same for you.”

“Olivia,” he gently says my name like I’m a wild animal he doesn’t want to spook. “Don’t do this.”

“Tell them it didn’t hurt and I love them.”

Sergei lunges for me. I let him tackle me to the ground. He turns so it’s him that hits the floor. I land on top of him. The gun goes skidding away. He rolls, pinning me under him. “Are you fucking insane?” he shouts at me. For the first time, I think I see fear in Sergei’s eyes.

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