Page 15

In one quick swoop, I kicked him in the chest, forcing his chair to drop backwards and land him on his back. Collin jumped from his seat, but he wasn't quick enough. My gun was out, level with his head.

Jerking his arms out to the side, Collin stepped backwards, palms facing me like a big white flag. Keeping him in my peripheral vision, I pressed my heel into Antoine's throat, cutting off his air supply.

“How do I look now?” Cocking my head, I applied more pressure, watching his eyes pop from the sockets as he choked for air. “Tomorrow we expect payment. And if you don't make good on it, it won't be my pretty little face you'll be seeing.”

Nick started to laugh, raising up from his seat. “I don't think your idea of a muzzle went over too well.” Rounding the table, he nodded at me to relax. Removing my foot, I allowed Antoine to breathe again. “I think we're clear, right?”

Antoine held his neck and shook his head.

“Good, now get the fuck out.”

Scrambling back on his hands, his brother grabbed him from under his arms and lifted him to his feet. The two men were gone before I even had time to blink.

Patting my shoulder, Nick leaned in and kissed my forehead. “See, and you didn't want to take the gun. I told you it's better to be prepared and not have to use it, than need it and not have it.”

My body started to shake as the adrenaline wore off and what I had done sunk into my head. I hadn't thought about it, I reacted. It was like instinct, a natural reaction that happened before I had time to really decipher my movements.

What did I just do?

That could have ended really badly! I could have just put us in danger even more!

“I. . . I'm sorry, he just—”

“No, no, don't apologize. I liked seeing that, maybe a little too much.” Nick patted my shoulder and brushed my hair like he used to when I was younger. “It makes me happy to know you can handle yourself. You did great, Cyprus.”

“But what if he—”

“He won't.” Nick's words were short and direct. “People fear us, we don't fear them. That's how this works. You did exactly what you should have.”

I can't believe I just did that.

Smiling, I swallowed hard, forcing my racing heart back into my chest. I felt weird, like in that moment I hadn't been myself. I had lost control, I had allowed his stupid fucking comment to drive me into a blind rage.

That jerk needed to be put in his place.

He had insulted me, he had tried to make it seem like my only place there was being eye candy. I didn't like it. He needed to learn respect for women. . .for me.

I'm a Rottera. This is what we do.

Birch jogged down the stairs with a curious look on his face. “What the hell just happened? I don't think I've ever seen those two move that fast in my life.”

Squeezing my shoulder, Nick smiled. “Your girl here just put them in their place. You would have been proud.”

“Wait, what?” Shifting his eyes between us, he looked dumbfounded. “Why didn't you ring me? You were supposed to ring me if there was a problem.”

“Cyprus handled it just fine.” Lowering his head, Nick walked past his son and up the stairs. “I'll see you two at home. Great job, Cyprus. I think tomorrow will go nice and smooth.”

I watched him disappear into the bar above us, and heard him move through the room. The door jingled, signaling Nick was gone. And I couldn't help but feel slightly torn between the good and bad world I was living in.

Protection was Birch's job, not mine. I was the numbers, I was the tax-altering paper criminal. Not an assassin. Nick might have complimented my reaction, but I felt horrible for being a loose canon.

I really am one of them. . .

Walking to my side, Birch ran his hand through his hair. “I'm confused, what the hell just happened?”

Folding my arms, I plucked at my lips and shrugged. Was I supposed to tell him the truth? That I had drawn my gun on the men and almost crushed Antoine's larynx to prove a point?

I'm not a frail princess. I'm a warrior, I'm a bold woman who isn't afraid to stand up for herself.