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Shaking his head painfully slow, Bloodbayne released the latch on the switchblade with his gnarled thumb. “You misunderstood me,girl.That child was valuable to me when Kade was a vegetable. Now there’s no real need foreitherof you, is there? Kade could make me an army of heirs! There are plenty of women within the Organization that would jump at the chance. I’m sure that one whore...what’s her name? Callie? Ah, yes. Callie. I’m sure she would be first in line,” he said, tilting his marred head to the side. “Now come and kill this pathetic man, or I will kill him and then I’ll have Valentina kill you and your son!”

Growling in frustration, Lexi’s eyes welled with hot tears. She didn’t think she had ever felt so helpless in her entire life. How dare she allow the sick bastard to have control over her like this?

Hey. I have an idea,Nikki interjected.Just hear me out. Let me step in! I’ll take care of Leo. That way, your conscience is clear! Look, either way he’s going to die, but you and the baby don’t have to. Let me do it! I promise to step back once it’s done.

Fixing her gaze on Leo’s bleeding face, she repeated her alter’s words. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t even entertain the thought of letting her step in. This was far from a normal circumstance though, and she made a valid point. Either way, Leowouldn’t be leaving this room alive.

“Well?” Bloodbayne asked.

“Promise?” Lexi said aloud.

“What?” he replied.

Of course,Nikki purred.I’ll let you step right in after he’s gone.

Swallowing hard, Lexi studied Leo’s broken body as she mentally apologized to him over and over. She could tell he was suffering immensely, killing him would be an act of mercy at this point. He would forgive her. He always did.

“Lexi,” Kade whispered. “Please.”

Blinking her tears free, she swallowed a pained sob and nodded her head. She hated herself for it, but she would agree to it. She would agree toeverythingas long as it meant that the baby squirming in her belly would live.

“I..I’ll...I’ll do it,” she said, her voice heavy in defeat.

“Good girl,” Bloodbayne praised, straightening his posture.

Sighing in relief, Kade eased his hold from his love. Toggling his attention between Valentina and his father, he relaxed his tensemuscles. They seemed pleased as punch by her decision. He would be too, if she actually went through with it.

This is all well and good, Kade, but you know she’s never going to forgive you for this,Demitri warned.

Building a mental barricade between him and his alter, he clenched his jaw. What the fuck did Demitri know? There was a reason why he was the one in charge, and not the idiot.Sure, she might be a little annoyed at first but she wouldn’t be able to stay that way forever. She loved him too much to truly hate him.

“Go, Sweetheart. You can do this,” he encouraged.

Finding herself both annoyed and comforted by his reassurance, Lexi squared her narrow shoulders. Stepping towards Bloodbayne and Leo, she wiped the tears from her flushed cheeks. Watching her husband float in and out of consciousness, she felt her heart squeeze. She desperately wanted his pain to end, and as evil as her alter was, she wouldn’t make him suffer any more than he already had. At least she hoped the bitch wouldn’t.

No Lexi,Nikki said, masking her excitement with a sympathetic sigh.I’ll make it as quick and painless as possible.

Licking his nonexistent lips, Bloodbayne yanked on Leo’s hair once more, the sharp pain causing the poor man to spit an angry obscenity.Good, he thought. The brave fool needed to be awake to see who would be sending him to his grave.

“Wake up, Mr. Estrada! Someone wants to see you,” he demanded.

Fighting off the darkness trying to consume him, Leo forced his bruised eyelids open. Noticing his adoring wife walkingtowards him, he cracked a broken smile. There was bright light surrounding her, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. He couldn’t remember the last time she had ever looked so stunning. She was a complete godsend.

“You...you’re myyy angelll...Lexi,” he slurred. “Myyy be...beautiful angel.”

Reaching for the handle of the switchblade, Lexi instinctively winced at the comparison. Why did fuck he have to say that? She couldn’t kill him now, not after hearing him call her his angel. Maybe she could signal Kade to lunge for Valentina, and she could use the knife on Bloodbayne. That could work, right?Yes, that plan could definitely work.

STOP IT,Nikki screamed.You know damn well that that hasty little plan will NOT work. Valentina will shoot both you and Kade before you even have the chance to lift the knife. Stop being such a stupid cunt! Leo has no idea what he’s saying right now. He’s loopy from the pain and blood loss, he probably has no idea what’s going on. Now, come on! Say a quick goodbye and let me slip in. I’ll take care of it.

Noticing her hesitation, Bloodbayne snapped his fingers impatiently. “What are you waiting for,girl?Show me your worth!”

“Wait! Let...let me say goodbye?” she asked.

Narrowing his blue eyes, Bloodbayne mulled over the bold request. Leniency had no place in the Organization, but she didn’t need to know that just yet. It could be fun to manipulate her into thinking she could get what she wanted from him. “Make it quick,” he replied.

Nodding a reply, she reached towards Leo’s cheek with her left hand. Mindful of his various lacerations and bruises, she carefully caressed his face as lovingly as possible. She would try to make his last moments as happy as she could. He was so close to death’s door that she didn’t think it would take much for him to slip into the final memory she wanted to leave him with.

“Hey, handsome,” she began, bringing her face mere inches away from his.