Page 107 of The Pawn

“I said fucking stop moving!” He pushes the barrel so hard under Allegra’s chin that it forces her head backward.

“Fine. I’ve stopped. You were my friend. Tell me why. At least tell me why.”

“There are no friends in our world.”

“Tell me why.”

“You know why. You fucking know why.” I keep my eyes on him, aware of how the sound of bullets has come nearly to a stop. Aware of a figure on the ground with his gun aimed at Enzo’s back.

Jet.

Jet standing among the bodies of the dead.

Jet ready to shoot, but waiting for my word.

“Let her go. You have me.” I lower my arms to undo the bulletproof vest I’m wearing. All my men are wearing them. Enzo is too. It’s at least one of the reasons we will come out of this victorious. If you’re loyal to me, I will be loyal to you. I will look after you. It’s my promise to my men. Always has been.

“Keep your hands up!”

“Cassian. Don’t. Don’t do it,” Allegra begs, tears streaming down her face. “He’s going to kill you anyway.”

I continue to slip the vest off and I toss it aside because better me than her. Better I die than she dies.

“You have me.” I rip my shirt open, baring my chest. I take another step.

“Stop fucking moving!”

I don’t. “Let her go, Enzo.”

Enzo shifts his weapon so he’s aiming for my heart.

“Cassian, no!” Allegra pleads.

I realize something. I understand it. He’s not going to kill her. He was never going to kill her. He can’t. He needs her alive because he’s simply going to take my place. To force her to marry him to take over both families. Just as I would have, except that I didn’t need to force her.

Except that we fell in love.

Involving Malek? That was just a lucky chance. Malek’s hate of me, Malek’s ambition, it would serve Enzo well. Hell, if Malek killed me, why not? It’d just make Enzo’s path to the throne that much easier.

Malek Lombardi was never the problem.

The problem was in my own house. My own blood.

But none of that matters now. It’s too late now.

“Let her go. I’ll say it just once more,” I say.

“You should have stepped aside, you selfish bastard. To hell with you for making me do this!” Enzo says and I hear the cocking of his weapon.

This is it. I’ll have one chance. But if I miscalculate, if I?—

“In pieces, you fucking asshole!” Allegra screams, cutting off my thoughts. She grabs hold of the barrel of the gun, but he manages her easily, turning her so her belly is pressed to his chest, her face crushed against his shirt.

“Allegra no!” I scream, lunging for them.

Before I reach them, the gun goes off and I scream for her as they stumble backward, two steps. Blood. Blood on him. Blood on her. Blood all over her bound arms, her naked stomach, seeping down her leg.

The world goes silent for a split second, time standing still, me mid-air.