Page 103 of Always A Villain

Silence. Then, deadly serious— “Hell. You better make it fast.”

“Give me one fucking opening.”

Creed’s head snaps up, eyes narrowing. “What the fuck are you whispering about?”

His nerves crack, finger twitching on the trigger. He’s jumpy now, his body language giving him away. He’s desperate. Good.

“You really think you’re walking out of here?” I taunt, voice calm. I need him off balance. I need him distracted. “With her?” I nod at Rory.

“Either you let us go, or I’ll blow her fucking brains out,” he spits, his grip tightening like a noose. “This little bitch is my insurance policy. And I plan to have some fun with her along the way.”

My blood runs ice cold.

“Axel, do something,” Rory cries.

Everything inside me splinters.

I shift my stance slightly, adjusting my grip on the rifle. My body is screaming for action, for blood, but I don’t move. Not yet.

Then—

Griff moves.

Fast. Precise.

A single gunshot cracks through the air, shattering the chandelier above us.

The whole world devolves into chaos. Glass rains down, cutting through the air. Creed stumbles, his body jerking, and in that instant, I don’t hesitate. I fire, the shot tearing through the air.

The bullet hits him square in the head. He’s dead before he hits the floor.

But it doesn’t fucking matter.

Not when I see her fall.

That motherfucker never let go of the trigger.

She crumples to the floor, blood pouring from her. Too much fucking blood.

NO!

I drop to my knees, yanking my mask off before I even realize I’m moving. My hands press against the wound, but it’s everywhere—slick, warm, pooling beneath her.

“Griff! Get the fucking chopper. Now!”

“On it!” He’s moving, but I don’t know if it’ll be fast enough.

I shake her, my breath shoving out in ragged bursts. “Rory! Stay with me, baby.” My fingers press harder, my hands soaked, but it’s not enough.

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

“Fuck!” I can’t lose her. I won’t. I press down harder, desperate, willing her to stay.

Her pulse—weak. Faint. But it’s there.

I don’t care about the pain in my side, the blood seepingfrom my own wounds. I don’t care about anything but her.

“Please. Please don’t leave me.”