Page 91 of Cruel Possession

I’m not stupid enough to think that my own brother wouldn’t kill me if it was going to get him ahead in life.

Noah chuckles. “Now, I know we didn’t talk about this part of the plan, Zo, but you really have been a problem while I’ve been hiding, so I think we’re going to kill two birds with one stone.”

Aiden’s hands ball into fists. “I’m the one you want. Just let her go.”

“How romantic. He’s willing to sacrifice himself for you. Isn’t that touching? Do you think he’d still be willing to do that if he knew the entire truth instead of the little pieces you’re feeding him?”

I try to breathe past the tight feeling in my chest. “Aiden, you have to believe me?—”

“There’s nothing I need to believe you about.” He takes a step closer to me, his gaze meeting mine, white-hot anger burning there. “I trusted you. I let you into my home, and this is how yourepay me? I thought I was falling in love with you, and yet here we are.”

“Aid—“

“No! I should’ve known better.” He glanced at Noah. “Let her go. We both know she’s worth more to you alive than she is dead.”

I want to run to Aiden as he glares at Noah, but there’s nothing I can do, not with the arm banding tighter around my throat, cutting off my breathing.

Noah hums. “No, she’s not. She’s already spent the last several months feeding me information on your family. About the twins wanting their freedom. About Skyla and her house in Vermont. Hell, I even know that Ellie is cutting more and more ties with the family. Your life is falling apart, Aiden, and it’s all thanks to the fox you let into the hen house.”

“How much?” Aiden’s gaze cuts to mine before he looks away again.

“You should tell him, Zoe. I think this would be best coming from you.” Amusement coats Noah’s every word.

I made the wrong choice.

Not in terms of saving Gia and her kids. I would do that all over again.

But with the look on Aiden’s face right now, I would go back in time and try to strike another deal. I would do everything I could to not have him glaring at me the way he is now.

I clear my throat, trying to dislodge the lump in it. “Gia and Bianca’s lives.”

Aiden rolls his eyes. “You could’ve come to me, and you know it, so don’t give me that shit.”

Noah laughs and shoves me into the wall beside him, my head cracking against it.

Stars dance across my vision. The only thing clear is the gun still pointed in my direction.

Noah arches an eyebrow at me, shaking his head. “I have to say, I’m disappointed with the work she’s done lately and her thoughts about leaving, but we can work on that.”

Aiden stiffens, standing taller. The muscle in his jaw tightens, and his knuckles turn white.

Noah, the dramatics-lover that he is, smirks wider. “I have to admit, her trying to leave the family was a nice touch, don’t you think?”

“I don’t have time for this.” Aiden shifts his weight, looking like he’s torn between running for the door and getting between me and Noah.

If Aiden were smarter, he would’ve left already. He would’ve used me as a distraction and left. He’s holding back, though, and there’s a little piece of me that wants to believe it’s because of me.

I did this to him, betrayed him, but he is still here, trying to protect me. Maybe he does still care for me, at least to some degree.

Enough to not risk my life.

Though, that could be because he wants to kill me himself.

“I didn’t tell her to do that,” Noah says, his attention finally leaving me even though the gun is still pointed in my direction.

It’s all the chance I need.

I grab the gun and try to wrench it from his hand, but his finger squeezes around the trigger.