“Get away from her.”
Nero’s smile faded. He walked back toward me. The menacing expression on his face matched the deadly gleam in his eye. “You will speak to me with respect.”
“Fuck you.”
Faster than a striking cobra, Nero backhanded me.
“Lee!” Reed struggled to get out of Carlos’s grip.
Holding my stinging cheek, I glared at Nero. “We’re not going anywhere with you.”
Nero raised his hand as if to strike me again.
“Don’t touch her.” Yanking away from Carlos, Reed charged Nero and tackled him to the ground. He got in two or three good punches before Carlos rushed over and slammed his fist into the side of Reed’s head.
Reed tumbled off Nero and landed on his back, a dazed look on his face.
“Stop!” I screamed as Carlos repeatedly kicked Reed in the head.
I pulled my knife and jumped on the big man’s back. Before I could stab him, Nero ripped me off Carlos and flung me into the grass. My knife flew out of my hand.
“Fucking bitch,” Nero spat down at me. He stepped around his partner and pulled out a gun.
All the oxygen rushed out of my lungs as Reed’s death flashed before my eyes. “Don’t shoot him. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“No—” Reed started to say before Nero pistol-whipped him across the face so hard he sprawled out on the driveway, unconscious.
Nero pressed his gun against Reed’s forehead. “I’ve changed my mind. Only the girls are invited.”
Panic choked me. “Please don’t shoot him.”
Carlos grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked me to my knees. “Get up and get into the car.”
A familiar voice interjected. “Let her go, son.”
We all turned to see my uncle limping up the driveway. His revolver was drawn and pointed at Carlos’s head. “Put your hands up. Now.”
Carlos released my hair and put his hands up.
The knot in my chest loosened. Everything’s going to be okay. I grabbed my knife and got to my feet.
Uncle Duncan took the huge man’s sidearm and handed it to Eden who’d been frozen like a statue this entire time. My uncle then shoved Carlos toward the Mercedes. “Now you get into the car.”
With a quick glance at Nero, Carlos slid into the driver’s seat.
Nero laughed. “And here I thought picking up the stripper was going to be boring.”
“It’s time for you to leave, son.” Uncle Duncan slowly ambled to Reed’s side. He looked down at Reed’s bleeding face and frowned.
“Don’t call me son.” Nero aimed his gun at my uncle.
Eden pointed the gun she was holding at Nero. “Drop your gun or I’ll shoot.”
Nero glanced back at her. “Shoot then, little jailbird.”
Eden’s hands shook so hard, her handcuffs rattled. “I’ll do it. I swear.”
Nero made a dismissive sound.
Uncle Duncan straightened his shoulders. “Look, son. I’ve already called the cops. I’d suggest y’all get moving before they get here.”
“Fine, we’ll go. But not without you, señorita.” Nero walked over and grabbed my arm.
“Go to hell.” I sliced him across the face with my knife and ran toward Reed and my uncle.
The sound of a gun safety clicking off had me spinning back around.
19
Lee
The gangster pointed his gun at my head. “No one marks Nero Benitez,” he shouted as he pulled the trigger.
Crack.
Something heavy crashed into my side, pushing me to the ground. Ears ringing, I looked up in confusion.
My uncle stood where I’d been, a crimson stain blooming across the front of his favorite denim shirt.
“No!” I cried. He’d taken the bullet meant for me.
“Uncle Duncan!” Eden shrieked.
He gave her a sad smile and collapsed.
I scrambled over to his side. “I’m so sorry.” Hot tears ran down my face as I pressed my hands to his chest, trying to stop the bleeding.
My uncle opened his mouth as if to say something, but all that came out was a spurt of blood that stained his silver mustache red.
The sounds of moaning and clicking filled the air. Zombies were close. A lot of them. That should’ve filled me with terror, but all I could think about was the man dying in front of me.
Carlos started the car and rolled down the window. “Nero. The dead are coming. We need to go.”
Something warm and metallic pressed against my head.
“I’ll give Señor Diaz your regards, bitch.”
I glared at the asshole pressing a gun against my head. Nero hurt Reed and shot my uncle. He deserves to die. Letting out a battle cry, I knocked the gun out of his hand, picked up Uncle Duncan’s revolver, pointed it at Nero’s face, and pulled the trigger.
Bang.
The side