Page 119 of Chasin’s Surrender

I didn’t ask what was better. There was nothing better about my situation.

Nothing good.

Nothing better.

Nothing lucky.

“Now he’ll walk in the house and find his Evie missin’ her face. He’ll live the rest of his life knowing I bested him. He’ll know you don’t fuck with Bent Bromley. He’ll learn just like that stupid bitch Roberta learned before I shut her ugly mouth. I fucking told you I’d have you on your knees beggin’, didn’t I, darlin’?”

Chasin would, he’d feel it the rest of his life.

Some of the vinegar drained. I screwed up. I should’ve grabbed the gun, ran, or left with Bent in a hurry so Chasin wouldn’t come in and find me and Holden dead in his living room.

I glanced down at Holden. I wished I could check for a pulse, do something to make sure he was alive, but I didn’t dare move my hands.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “So sorry.”

“That’s it, darlin’, beg.”

Stupid dick thought I was apologizing to him.

The nerve.

I would never beg. Chasin might never forget finding me dead, but he’d never want me to beg. Not when it was useless. Not when I was going to die anyway. He’d want me to be strong, be brave, be me.

I was a lot of things, but I was not a coward.

“Never,” I shouted, and lifted my eyes to Bent. “I will never beg you for anything.”

“Stupid—”

“Do it, Bent, pull the trigger. You’re gonna do it anyway. There’s not a damn thing I can say that will stop you. I hate you.”

“All I wanted to do was love—”

Bent’s words died on his tongue.

His gun discharged.

The bullet sank into the floor beside me.

I pressed my body over Holden’s, tried not to move my hands, and twisted my neck to see Bent sliding down Chasin’s body as he crumbled to the floor.

I had no idea what I’d just witnessed and couldn’t begin to process how it’d happened. Not when Chasin’s gaze came to mine. The look so scary, I flinched and held on to Holden as tightly as I could.

Fury didn’t cover it. There’s not a word strong enough to define the look on Chasin’s face. Pain, fear, rage, worry, concern, wrath, thunder—all of it present.

I didn’t move but suddenly there was plenty of movement around me. I felt like I’d been staring at Chasin for a millennium but I knew it had only been a millisecond. Bent’s body hadn’t even settled at Chasin’s feet before he jumped over Bent, scooped me up, and Jameson took over helping Holden.

“Holden,” I whispered, and struggled to get down.

“No, baby. Jameson’s got him.”

“Holden!” I shouted.

And Chasin’s arms tightened.

“Holden,” I whimpered.