Page 92 of Brutal Truths

When Isabel drops to the floor, I’m ready to take the shot—but hesitate when two women walk in laughing like they haven’t just stepped into a shitshow.

They freeze as the scene unfolding around them registers. Their entrance throws everyone, and that costs us. Rurik sees his opportunity, grabs the woman closest to him as he presses a knife to her throat.

“I’ll kill her.” The coward uses his latest victim as a shield, voice rough with panic.

But she doesn’t react the way he or I expect. No scream. No fight. She looks as calm as a cucumber.

That’s when I see it⁠—

The flash of steel as she drives a knife into his leg, precise and deep. He drops instantly. The knife in his hand clatters across the tile, and the other woman is already moving, scooping it up before it settles.

“Good job, Anna. You hit the femoral nerve perfectly.”

Behind me, Isabel rises to her knees, her hands on my legs as she peeks around me. “Gabby?”

“Hey, little sis. Sorry about the delay. Had to convince the boys that Anna and I could handle this way better than them. You know how cocky men are. They hate being shown up.”

Gabby turns her attention on Rurik, squealing in pain, his hand clutching the dagger buried in his inner thigh. “I wouldn’t pull that out if I were you.”

Rurik glares up at her. “Fuck you, you stupid cunt.”

“By all means.” Gabriela crosses her arms, completely unfazed. “But I’m pretty sure she nicked your femoral artery. I’m no doctor, so I can’t say for sure.” She glances over her shoulder. “Good thing Isabel is.”

Anna reaches out and puts her hand on Gabriela’s arm. “Oops. My bad. I was only aiming for the nerve. Guess I got a little carried away when he threatened to kill me.” She shakes her head, then shrugs. “Kinda of a dick move, honestly. Especially since we just wanted to see if Wylan’s blueberry pancakes are as tasty as Alma claims.”

“You fucking cunt.” Rurik drags himself to the wall and props his back against it, blood soaking through his pants. “You will pay for this.”

Lowering my weapon, I reach for Isabel, pulling her to her feet. “Your sister and her friend are badasses. Now I get where you picked that up.”

“Stop flirting.” Gabby’s voice snaps from behind me. “Let her check on the patient before he does something even stupider.”

“You okay with that?” I take her chin in my hand, keeping her focus on me. “If not, I can have Lane send in Jen.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got a few things I’d like to ask him.” Isabel rises onto her tiptoes and brushes a quick kiss over my lips. “Don’t go far. I’ve got a few questions for you too.”

Not a request.

I watch her move past me, joining the others. Can’t tell if she’s pissed about me misleading her or if she’s locked into what needs to be done. Either way, now is not the time to push it.

Trent’s chair scrapes against the floor as he stands.

“Don’t.” I turn to look at him, already knowing what he’s about to do.

“Don’t?” He lifts an eyebrow, pressing his palms flat against the table. “Don’t do what exactly? Do you really think she’s capable of getting the answer she wants?”

He has a point.

“Maybe not,” I admit. “But she deserves the chance to try it her way first.”

A wordless battle takes place between us. He doesn’t like this. Hates not being the one in control, making the calls. He’s building up an argument, but then backs down when the most animalistic cries of pain I’ve ever heard fills the air.

It rips our attention back to what’s happening across the room.

I can’t decide if I’m proud or concerned when I see Isabel kneeling next to Rurik, her thumb pressing into the wound on his leg. She’s not easing up. Doesn’t second-guess it. Just holds the pressure and waits.

A minute stretches out.

His cries sharpen, climb, turn desperate as sweat pours down his face. There’s nothing fake about it. Nothing controlled. Just pain.