Page 29 of Burn the World Down

“I want you to go back to Elk Falls. You have no idea what you’re asking.”

“No.”

“You’re not strong enough for this and you haven’t got what it takes.”

Her lips trembled. “I’m not that young girl anymore, Nash.” She gave a harsh laugh. “That small-town girl is long gone. Life ground her to dust.”

I shook my head. My fingers curled into my palms to stop from reaching for her.

“I’ll take that as a no.” Her mouth flattened. “I’m sorry I ever came looking for you. Don’t let me interrupt your life.”

She shouldered past me, then slammed the door behind her.

I set my hands on my hips, looking at the floor. My chest was tighter than it ever had been.

Fuck.

This was for the best. She’d realize she couldn’t do this, that she needed to go back to her life.

I didn’t want blood on her hands.

CHAPTER 10

GEORGIE

The elevator spilled me out onto the main casino floor.

My chest was tight, my eyes were burning. Like I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t. I pressed my hand to my face. I hadn’t cried in so long.

Not when my father died. Not when Nash never came. Not even when I’d lost Viv.

I charged through the casino, the bells and whistles of the slots echoing in my ears. I already felt over-sensitized from everything that had happened tonight. Everything seemed to close in on me.

I should never have tried to find Nathaniel…Nash. He wasn’t Nathaniel anymore. That dangerous, cold man was not the young man I’d known. That I’d thought myself in love with.

You’re not strong enough. You don’t have what it takes.

Screw him. I’d dealt with everything that life had thrown at me. I wouldn’t let it break me.

I picked up speed, running through the casino, and stumbled outside. I gulped in air.

Parked outside were two Ferraris and a Lamborghini. Laughing people moved past me—some in jeans, others dressedin suits and evening gowns. Everyone was welcome at the casino to have fun and lose their money.

They were all going about their lives, and they had no idea other people were suffering. I had no life to go back to. I couldn’t leave, not only because I had nothing left to go back to, but because I knew Snyder and his thugs would hurt more women.

They had to be stopped.

Next time, I wouldn’t hesitate.

I’d prove to Nash that I did have what it took.

I strode onto the sidewalk and set my shoulders back. I needed a plan. One where I took out Snyder and Bruno, and preferably, didn’t get caught.

I knew their routines. I knew they left the club at around 3 AM most nights.

They often had dinner at Sparrow + Wolf, one of the most well-known restaurants in Las Vegas, then drove together to the club. They’d spend the bulk of the night there, then they’d leave to head back to Snyder’s mansion at 3 AM.

I’d take them out then. When they were sated, tired, and buzzed.