The Sinners - Ruby Vincent Page 0,96

another failed revenge plot.”

“I’m sure we can change his mind, princess.”

“Me too.”

That was all the warning Nolan got. I swung and buried my fist in his gut. The boy doubled over but didn’t drop.

I leaped onto the window ledge, placed both feet on him, and kicked. He flew into the back of an armchair and they both crashed to the floor. I was on him in a heartbeat. Kicking the chair aside, I jumped on him and grabbed his collar. Nolan howled as I smashed my knuckles in his face.

“Tell me who they are!” I roared. “Or get the beating I saved for them.”

I punched him again.

“Tell m—”

“That’s enough!” Something cold and hard jammed beneath my ribs. “I said that’s enough!”

My body went rigid—fist in the air and poised to strike.

“Hey!”

“Don’t move!” Nolan shouted as the boys surged forward. He hauled us both to our feet, arm encircling my neck as he pressed the gun to my temple. “Nobody fucking move.”

The expressions on the boys’ faces were night and day to the smirking victors that walked in. Icy terror stiffened me in his hold.

“You think you got me?” Nolan flung. “Huh? You think I don’t have friends too?”

Nolan felt for his phone with one hand and the other trained the gun on me.

“Yeah,” he said. “Last room on the left. Come join the party.”

He hung up and freed my body to put the phone away. Royal took a step forward.

“Don’t move!”

Nolan kicked the back of my knees. I dropped, crying out as the muzzle bit into the back of my skull.

“If one of you gets too close, I might get twitchy. Too hard on this trigger and pretty little Ember is splatter on the carpet.”

“Calm down, Ives,” Royal said. “There’s no need for this. Put the gun away.”

“It depends on you if I put the gun away.” He chuckled. “It was a gift, you know. From my supplier. Did you also know your old man was spot on about a traitor in the ranks? The boss is none other than a Horseman himself and”—he whistled—“boy does he have plans for your dad.”

Royal glared. “What the fuck do you know about my father?”

“I know so much more than you think,” he replied. “Rio Cruz. Your father. Leader of the Horsemen. Lying, cheating, thieving piece of shit.”

Footsteps sounded in the hall.

“I’ll tell you what else I know,” he said, “as long as everyone plays by the rules. You don’t come near me and you don’t open your mouth. If you obey, the gun stays in my pocket. Understand?”

Stiff-jawed and silent, the boys nodded.

The pressure on my scalp disappeared just as the door opened.

“Cassius? Hiro?” Julian’s smooth voice leeched into my brain. “How did you get in here?”

The boys didn’t answer. They couldn’t.

Through a gap between chairs, I saw Leo turn the lock.

“They came because they’ve realized all the damage they’ve done,” said Nolan. “They’re ready for their penance. And we’re happy to provide, aren’t we, guys?”

Leo and Julian hooted their agreement.

“Teach them a lesson.” His hand clamped on the back of my neck. “They won’t put up a fight.”

The last command was undoubtedly for my Angels. Helpless at his feet, I choked back a sob as the first punch landed on Cassius’s jaw. He fell out of sight and all I could hear were his grunts as they beat him.

“Stop it,” I shouted.

“Shut up!”

Nolan yanked me by the hair. I screamed, my neck wrenched back, and hands grabbing for his wrist.

“Ember?”

“Ives!” Royal yelled. “Fucking do that again and this won’t end the way you want!”

“Ember?” Julian repeated. His head rose above the chairs, finally spotting me. “Nolan, what the hell are you doing? Let her go.”

I made to get up and he shoved me down. “No, she’s fine where she is,” he said through gritted teeth. “She’s keeping these bastards in line, so they can finally get what’s coming to them. The Angels,” he spat. “Your mother should have kicked them out the second they showed up in school with that tattoo. They’ve taken over our academy and have everyone too afraid to do something about it. Now it’s our turn!” Fervor made him shake me. “They’re going to see what it’s like to be afraid!”

“Sounds good to me,” said Leo. He ran at Royal, a metal flask in his grip to deal a brutal blow.

Royal ducked the swing, snapped back, and laid him out with a punch that knocked Leo into Julian.

“Hey!” Nolan shouted.

“I’m not following your rules, Ives,” Royal said,