Page 106 of Deadfall

“You want one of the other guards to win?” G demanded.

I could tell G was barely holding on to his control. Emersyn saw it too because her lips twisted into a snarl, and her finger settled on the trigger.

“I don’t belong to anyone,” she said.

“Yes, we know that,” I agreed. “But, the other guards will be worse. You know this—”

“What do you want?” She interrupted.

“What do you mean?” God only knew where I got this patience from. Maybe it was because of how close G looked to exploding.

“All of this—” She stumbled over her words. “Always saving me—” She still had the gun leveled at G. “You took a fucking beating for me for fuck’s sake.”

“We just want to help you,” I said.

“Bullshit,” Emersyn snapped. “No one is that altruistic.”

G took another step toward her. “He’s right.”

Emersyn had nowhere else to go but back into a hedge. The gun rested inches from G’s head. I didn’t think she’d shoot, but I wasn’t one hundred percent positive about that and it made me nervous.

“I don’t need your fucking help,” she scoffed. “All of this is so I’ll owe you, isn’t it?”

I frowned at that. “Where is this coming from? I told you—”

“You’re just like the rest of them, you’ll take what’s yours the minute I let my guard down.”

“No, that’s not—” I sighed and was about to say something else, when I saw G move. “G, wait—”

49

GABRIEL

My control snapped—I was done staring down barrels. I was done with this stupid game, and I was very, very done with her thinking I was out to get her. In one fluid movement, I twisted her wrist behind her and yanked her into my chest. I heard Seven sigh in exasperation, but then my senses were filled with Emersyn as her huff of irritation coasted across my lips.

“There it is,” she breathed scornfully. “The violence you all have. I was waiting for it—” A flash of pain on her face made me realize I’d involuntarily tightened my grip in anger.

“Gabriel,” Seven snapped.

“Yeah, Gabriel—” Emersyn taunted. “Do you want to hurt me? Do you want to show me who’s in control?” She pressed closer. “Do it—I dare you to finally take what’s fucking yours.”

I pulled the gun from her grip and released her wrist, but neither of us stepped back. The inches of space between us smoldered with tension, and the violence in her eyes pulled me in—intoxicating and primal.

“That’s where you’re mistaken,” I growled softly. “I don’t want to hurt you, little storm. The violence isn’t for you. It’s for everyone who’s ever fucking put their hands on you. For every scar, and for every drop of your blood those monsters have spilled. That’s who I want to hurt, Emersyn.”

The shock on her face was enough to dissipate the rage and violence that warred for space in my chest. Her eyes were as haunted as mine probably were, and each heartbeat felt like a thousand lifetimes. I wanted to burn the world for her. I wanted to show her she didn’t have to be so goddamn alone. That there were people who wanted her found, wanted her safe. The emotion in my chest seized, and I lurched away so she couldn’t see the truth that threatened to spill.

“Make your choice now,” I demanded, my back to her.

“What?” She asked skeptically. “What choice?”

I looked over my shoulder. “The entrance is just there,” I gestured at the nearest corner. “You can cross the line without us and take your chances—alone—or, you can come with us.”

“This is a joke, right?” Emersyn scoffed.

I shook my head. “No. But, just know, whether you choose to come with us or not, I told you what would happen to anyone who touched you.”

“Because I’m yours? Some choice.”