Page 173 of Barinov

So place it on our golden boy and pray you make it through.

Mask up tight and arm yourself, for fuck’s sake don’t be late.

The crowd is oh so hungry and they’ve gathered for your fate.

My champion waits just inside, a King you cannot flee.

And every second that you fail, sends Whitmore straight to me.

So fight for love, or die for it. The choice is yours to make.

But every shot you hesitate, is one less breath he’ll take.

You called them yours and called it love, that little lie you spun.

Now bleed for it my Lexie dear… let’s see what you’ve become.

“Fuck!” I roar, the sound echoing off the stone walls.

“I-I, h-he wants me to… to wear it?” Cade mumbles. His fingers are digging into his scalp, pulling at his hair as he stares at the metal ring.

Dad steps forward. He picks up the pistol, drops the mag, and checks the chamber before slapping back in with a heavy clack.

“Damn!” he says, shoving the cold steel into my hand.

“What?” I ask.

“He only gave you one round.”

My heart sinks.

“Make it count, son,” he says, eyes glassy in a way I don’t want to fucking see right now.

“Full moon,” Roman says, looking up. “Decent lighting.”

“Exterior lights are still on too,” Rez adds. “That’ll help your—”

“And what about Cade putting the collar on?!” I snap, my chest heaving.

“Look, I know you don’t want to hear it,” Rez says, running a hand through his almost white hair. “But if Luca wants Cade to wear—”

“That’s not happening, Rez!”

Buzz. Buzz.

Buzz. Buzz.

The phone vibrates against my palm. Blood rushes to my head in a hot, buzzing pressure.

“What?!” I roar.

“Ah, Lexie,” Luca’s voice is pure glee. “I see you found my little gift.”

“I’m not putting that thing on Cade.”

“Ahhhh!” The sound of Bella’s scream stops the world as it rips through my ear. “Stooooop! P-please stop!”

“Bella?!” I yell, knuckles turning white around the phone. “Leave her the fuck alone, you bastard!”