AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The thought took hold, carrying my body out of the grocery story. I glanced left and right, unsure which way she would go.
“That way,” Logan pointed to the bag strewn on the floor. That was one of hers. My heart sank as I didn’t see her, only that stupid brown bag laying alone on the sidewalk.
We moved closer to it, our heads on a swivel. I prayed that I would spot her, the wavy dark hair, her curvy body. I wanted her in my arms. The soft scent of coconut wafted from the bag as I picked it up—Audry.
“Where else could she have gone?” I asked.
“If they transported her…"
I shot Logan a glare, shaking my head. “No.”
“I mean, it’s a possibility we have to think of.”
“No, I mean. The job. It’s too unorganized. They wouldn’t have a driver. No.” I shook my head again, clutching the purse in my hands. She was around here somewhere—and for once she had listened to my instructions. She’d ran.
A single gunshot followed by a scream echoed around us. Logan and I took off toward the sound, letting it lead us to her. As we rounded the corner, Logan pulled his gun. I gripped my knife tightly in my hand.
We peeked around—there was Audry. She cradled her arm, the poor thing dislocated. Two men surrounded her, one at her back and one with an aimed firearm ready to pounce. Tears rushed down her cheeks, while anger bubbled in my stomach.She was alive, I reminded myself.Alive.
Jeffrey and Steven. Nate’s step brothers. I recognized the stance, the stupid way he held the gun tilted, and the ridiculous way the twins dressed the same. I didn’t have much experiencewith them as I ranked higher in the crew than they did. They were lowlifes, and now they were going to die.
Logan nodded at me, and he fired a shot. Jeffery, the brother behind her, yelled in pain as the bullet pierced his shoulder.
“Shoot to kill!” I yelled to Logan, taking cover behind the dumpster. We made our way into the alleyway now, Jeffery still whining about his wound.Good.
“Gladly.” Logan smiled, the curl of it terrifying. This was who we were, who we had run from our whole lives. We both complained about the hand we were dealt and how different our lives would have been if only—if only. But now, looking at us ready to murder, steal, and maim. There was no denying this was where we thrived. We were good at what we did, so talented that Samuel had put up with a lot of shit over the years.
But the moment I met Audry’s dark eyes, saw the relief and fear in them as she struggled to get to her feet—that was the moment I wanted to be destined for more. She wouldn’t have to live in fear like I did, not as long as I was around. I vowed to her, silently, that I would protect her with my life.
This wasn’t going to end how it did with Angel.
Logan aimed at Jeffery, firing another shot. This one missed, but I didn’t have time to keep track as Steven made his way toward me.
He aimed his gun at me. The shot whizzed past my ear, grazing me.
“Fuck.” I sliced the knife, drawing blood from the flesh of his bicep.
“Ah, the famous thief,” Steven cooed, taunting me. “I’ve heard stories about you. That was until you let some bitch steal all that product. Then…” He whistled, pretending his hand was a person falling to their demise.
I wasn’t much for conversation.
I sliced my knife again, catching him on the wrist. His gun fell to the floor, the clatter stopping my heart. But it didn’t fire.
“I’ll let you have that one.”
“Shut up,” I said, slicing again, this time catching his side. But I wasn’t quick enough. Steven, being at least five inches taller than me, grabbed onto my arm, throwing me to the side.Fucking bully.
Another shot rang out, echoing in the alleyway. Jeffery and his injured shoulder were on me, keeping me surrounded.
I glanced backward, Logan on the floor. I hesitated a moment too long, just enough to see his chest rise. But that moment was my own failure.
Within seconds, my knife clattered to the floor. I threw punch after punch, landing a nice one on Steven’s face. But I was outnumbered.
Multiple blows to the stomach, and one good one to the jaw, with a kick to the groin, had me on the floor. Steven spat at me, and Jeffery laughed.
With a firm grip, Steven brandished the gun, waving it around. “You brought a knife to a gunfight.” He chuckled. “The rumors don’t do your stupidity justice.”
Then, he pointed the gun at me, a sinister smile curling at his lips. “Let me help you with that.”
