Page 109 of Direct Action

“I’d rather deliver you unharmed. But you keep fucking around, I’ll take the hit. But you should know I’ll take that hit by delivering you bloody. I don’t like losing money, but I like stupid bitches less. So do as you’re told and let’s fucking go.”

I didn’t go. I stared up at Dex, thinking when Ryan found him—and I had no doubt he would—I hoped he didn’t tear his head off. At least not until he had this motherfucker on his knees, begging for his life. Though I suspected a man as soulless as Dex wouldn’t beg, he wouldn’t care that death was upon him. He wouldn’t care his life was about to blink out the same way he didn’t care about what happened to Poppy, or me, or anyone.

“You understand what I’m saying to you, bitch?”

“I hope you die a painful death,” I whispered.

Dex lowered his face to mine and snarled, “Death would be a relief.”

“Well then I hope you find relief soon.”

Dex straightened and tugged me toward the hall.

“Such a shame,” Sterling said.

Dex stopped and looked over at Sterling. “Name your price.”

Sterling’s lip curled in disgust. “I don’t pay for pussy.”

“You don’t?” Dex clipped. “You seem to have forgotten where you are and who you are. I’ll ask one more time—you want her, name your price.”

Name your price.

Bile swirled in my stomach.

I didn’t need any more clarity, but there it was, flashing in my face.

Ryan was right. So very right. There were so many ways for this plan to fail.

When Sterling didn’t say anything else, Dex went back to pulling me down the hall.

I had a choice.

Fight and possibly die.

Or do what I was told, and in doing that, die inside but still be breathing when Ryan found me.

I love you that much, Chloe. Love you enough to ask you to make that promise to me, knowing that if shit goes sideways, I’m asking you to put yourself first.

I promised I’d keep myself safe—no matter what.

The problem was I didn’t know what safe was.

Not anymore.

We got to the end of the hallway. Dex stopped in front of a door. My vision blurred with possibilities. All the ways this was going to hurt. I’d be breathing, but I’d never be the same.

Never.

Name your price.

Dex opened the door, and I decided I’d rather die than live through it.

I’d rather die right here and now than make Ryan live with knowledge of what was about to come. It would torture his mind. He’d mourn my death, then avenge it, then eventually move on. But he’d never be able to live with what was coming, because it would shatter my soul. Splinter my mind. And break me in ways from which I’d never recover.

Name your price.

I knew what that meant.