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“Motherfucker,” I snarl as I swing my bat at the man. It connects with his forearm, and he shouts in pain. That explains why they aren’t going down easily. They have fucking training.
Club strikes one of the men who tries to lunge toward me, slicing him across the chest. The man goes down with a howl, but we’re making progress. All the while, Roger stands before us, illuminated by the moonlight streaming in through the damaged roof like he’s a fucking angel. He probably chose that spot for that reason. He smirks as he watches with his hands in his pockets, unconcerned that once we dispose of his goons we’ll come after him. This time, I won’t show him mercy. I’ve learned my lesson.
Heart has one of the pipes now, and he swings it with insane strength while dancing out of the way of their weapons. He connects with one of the men’s jaws, and the snap tells me he broke it. He giggles the entire time, as if this is the most fun he’s had in years.
“Be careful where you dare to tread. The ground is littered with the dead. Ones insane and ones devout, I’ll knock you all the fuck out,” he sings as he swings the pipe, giggling every time he connects with one of them.
Spade’s whip cracks behind me, and I can hear Diamond growl at someone, but their numbers are dwindling. We’re winning. I meet Roger’s eyes and bare my teeth.
“What do you look so smug about?” I hiss. “You’re about to die.”
Roger laughs. His eyes actually fucking crinkle. “Am I, wife?” he asks, tilting his head to the side. “Or am I just getting started?”
As if he fucking choreographed it, more men appear from the shadows—twice as many as before. They hold weapons—no guns, thankfully, but these people came here to inflict pain. Their choice of weapons reflects that. I see shovels, pickaxes, knives, pitchforks, and large wrenches, whatever they could get their hands on. Their eyes are on us, full of menace, and my heart drops.
“Club,” I rasp softly.
“I see them,” he answers, and for the first time, I hear a thread of worry in his voice.
Diamond glances over his shoulder, and his eyes narrow. I can tell he’s assessing the situation, trying to figure out the best course of action, but I know what it is before he does.
We need to go.
Diamond realizes it right after I do. “Together,” he commands, backing up to us while keeping the men at bay.
Spade does the same behind me, his back coming to meet my own as we regroup in the middle, our weapons held up. On my right, Heart is still dancing after the men, getting too close and enjoying himself despite the clear disadvantage we find ourselves in.
“Heart,” Diamond hisses, pure command lacing his tone.
We’re getting out of here one way and one way only—together.
“What were you saying, wife?” Roger goads, grinning at me. “How you’re ready to come home?”
“I am home,” I spit, “and it isn’t with you, you limp-dick bastard.”
Club reaches back and touches my hip in reassurance, and Roger’s eyes follow the movement. Fire ignites in his gaze as he recognizes the familiarity between us.
Roger’s face contorts with fury, and he finally pulls his hands from his pockets, taking a menacing step forward. “Did you spread your legs for this freak, Ember?” he snarls. “Did you roll around in the filth with him?”
I raise my chin, but I don’t answer his question. Instead, I say, “I don’t belong to you.”
“Did you fuck him?” he shouts, taking another menacing step forward. “Did you spread your legs for this freak like a whore?”
Heart laughs at him and finally moves away from the men, joining our group. He hitches the pipe over his shoulder and flashes a cocky grin.
“Silly Roger.” He laughs. “She fucks all of us! Our queen does as she wishes!”
Roger’s face morphs into the monster he normally keeps inside. He stops moving and focuses on Heart, who laughs at his expression. The men around us stop and look to him for direction.
“Fucking freaks,” Roger spits and reaches for the small of his back.
My heart stops.
I underestimated him yet again. There are no guns around us, but I never thought to look for them either, so when he pulls a handgun and points it at Heart, terror claws its way up my throat.
“Heart!” I cry, but Roger pulls the trigger before anyone can move.
The bang echoes around the room, ricocheting inside the concrete walls and making it seem even louder than it is. Heart stops dancing around, his laughter cutting off as he looks down at his stomach. Red blooms across his dark shirt, making it darker.
