Page 112 of Massacre Monday

Adal growls with frustration. “He’s going to fucking agree.”

Did Ryan go about things in the wrong way at first? Yes. Is he disturbed in ways I never knew someone could be? Sure. Has he manipulated his way into my heart? Absolutely.

But he’s also passionate, caring, loving, and would do anything for me, I know. He’s the one person I feel most myself with. The one who would go to war to allow me to do something on my own, just to say that I did it.

I spin on a heel and face the three men in front of me. “That was aprivatevideo between me and my boyfriend. I’m a grown woman and this ismy decision. You can’t tell me what to do anymore. Not you, nor Dad, nor Oz… Only Ryan.” I say it with confidence, then shake my head slightly. “Well, I may not listen to him, either, but I’ll allow him to try because he’s my Viscount.”

“Him?!” Adal points at Ryan with a shaky finger.

“Yes. I choose Ryan.”

Nico snorts and asks, “Why?”

“Because…” I kneel in front of Ryan as his face warms at the sight of mine. “I love him. I love you, I do.”

The light shines again in his eyes, which makes mine water. I swipe at my nose so I don’t cry. Not in front of my brothers. The only one I feel strong enough to share my tears with is the man sitting in front of me.

Adal shuffles between us, shoving me back as Oz yells something indiscernible at him. Nico steps between Adal and me while trying to get to Ryan. I elbow my oldest brother away from me and shove the barrel of the gun in his chest.

“Pippi, put the fucking gun down. You’renotwith him anymore. Oz, take her out.” Adal whips his head to the side and instructs his best friend. “Just fucking kill him and be done with this shit.”

Nico eyes me for a moment, then reaches for my love. I slide my aim to his shoulder and squeeze the trigger.

The loud blare deafens all of us as the bullet penetrates Nico’s arm. He falls back, blood oozing down his bicep as he clutches it with his other hand. “Pip-Squeak?” His voice is fragile, a look of pure bewilderment transforming his face. “You shot me!”

Adal holds his hands up, and Oz shuffles a step behind me.

“Pippi, what the actual…” I’ve never seen Adal look so terrified when I aim the Glock at his chest.

“You’re not in charge here anymore.” Do I feel remorse for shooting Nico? Only slightly. But I need to get Ryan out of here safely.

Oz presses his gentle hand on my back and glides it down to my wrist. “Pip, please?”

My hand trembles as I war in my mind whether to let him have it or not.

“She fuckingshotme!” Nico cries.

“That’s a good girl, Pen,” Ryan praises as a tiny smile twitches his lip.

“We don’t need to hear from you,” Adal barks, his arms still high in the air.

With a huff, I release the weapon to Oz, who discharges the one from the chamber and slides out the magazine, stuffing it into his pocket.

“You know we can’t hurt Ryan. It would cause a war that none of us want. Besides, Dad wouldn’t like it if we killed Pippi’s husband,” Oz says quietly. “I think we should let him go.”

Adal sighs heavily and tosses his hands behind his neck. “Fine. Untie him.”

Oz and I hurry to the chair and work on the bindings with shaky fingers.

Ryan’s large body can barely stand when he’s freed, and I steady my shoulder under his arm, trying to help him shuffle away. He grips my waist close and hangs on me with most of his weight.

When we get to the door, he pauses and turns toward Adal to say, “You just made Thanksgiving dinnerssuperawkward.”

thirty-six

“No more MMAmatches for you, Mr. Cardell,” the student health doctor informs me as she finishes splinting my fingers. “Not for a while, anyway.”

“I’ll take it easy.”