tumbling from his hand, his legs collapsing beneath him.
I tug at my bindings, the final length of rope loosening enough for me to yank my arm free. I’m on my feet in an instant and running for his gun. I fall to my knees and slide, snatching the barrel. But he doesn’t fight back. He spreads out on the floor, blinking sightlessly at me, his mouth moving without words.
Holy shit. He’s done for, the pool of blood building around him.
I point the barrel at his head, my finger twitching against the trigger.
“B-bitch,” he chokes, his grip uncurling around his throat. “F-fuck you.”
I watch the life seep from him as I sheath my blade in the cuff. I wait precious moments, making sure he doesn’t experience a resurgence of energy before I make for the hall, ignoring the putrid smell to stop at an open door leading into darkness.
Grunts and groans carry from inside. Indecipherable muttered words, too.
“Shed some fucking light, Greg,” Robert snaps. “I can’t see dick down here.”
I freeze, caught like a deer in headlights.
“Ahh, so it’s not Greg,” he muses. “Is that you, my pretty Penny?”
He’s in control, the excitement in his voice fueling my fear.
“I think you’re going to want to see this,” Robert drawls. “The switch is right near the door.”
“Penny, run.”
Sebastian? He’s here?
My knees weaken.
“Now, Penny,” Robert snarls. “Before I lose patience.”
There’s a groan of pain, then another growled demand to, “Just run.”
My vision blurs under the burn of tears. My heart squeezes. “Luca, are you here?”
“Run.” He answers me, the word grated in agony. “Get out of here, shorty.”
I can’t.
I won’t.
Oh, God.
He never left me to fend for myself. I would rather die than turn my back on him and the gun trembling in my hand could change everything. I could kill Robert. I could save Luca.
My limbs shake as I reach inside, sliding my hand along the wall to flick on the light. I quickly slip back out of view, careful to remain hidden as I glimpse down at the staircase illuminated before me and a vacant corner of the room below.
I can’t see them. Not any of them.
There’s only the sense of horror lurking close.
“Come join us,” Robert coos. “You already know you’re safe. It’s your loved ones who may not last the night.”
I plaster myself against the wall, unsure what to do.
I don’t have a phone. And I can’t risk leaving them, even momentarily, to search for help.
I steel myself against what I’m about to see and descend the stairs, the gun raised.
The room comes into view gradually.
I notice Sebastian first, his tense frame facing me. Then there’s Robert a few feet behind, a weapon held in both hands, with another down the front of his pants. He has one barrel trained on the back of Sebastian’s head, the other arm pointed farther away.
“What did he do to you?” my brother snarls. “What the fuck did he do?”
“Don’t worry.” Adrenaline has masked my pain. “I’m okay.”
I take another step, my heart lodging in my throat at the sight of Luca on his knees a yard behind, his face pale, his eyes filling with regret.
“Get out of here, Pen.” He can barely keep his head up. “I need you to run.”
“Drop the gun.” Robert advances on my brother.
“No.” I aim it at my enemy’s head, the weapon shaking in my fragile grip.
“You can’t kill me, baby. I’ve told you before I’ve got the sweetest fucking leverage known to man. You’re gonna want to know what it is before you pull the trigger.”
“Then tell me.”
He laughs. “In time. Now don’t make me count. I’m growing impatient.” He cocks a brow, waiting one tense second, then another. “Fine, have it your way.” He lowers the barrel, aiming at Sebastian’s thigh, then pulls the trigger.
The gunshot blasts the air, ripping a scream from my throat.
Sebastian roars, falling to the floor and curling onto his side, desperately clutching at his right thigh. Luca falls, too, clasping his head, his face burying into the carpet.
I choke on a sob, the sight of their suffering far more punishing than any horror Luther ever inflicted.
“Penny, get the hell out of here. Now.” Sebastian struggles to get back up. “Run.”
“Fucking run.” Luca lashes out, the futile swipe of his arm knocking him off balance.
“Or you could drop the gun.” Robert smirks. “You already know you’re not going anywhere.”
He’s right.
My heart is in this room.
Slowly, I place the weapon on the step at my feet, my eyes blazing.
“Good girl. Now come