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I do it, but just barely. And when I open my eyes, I’m shocked by what I see.
There is a group of men tied up with guns pointed at their heads off to one side. All men who were Felix’s loyal followers. But there is a larger group staring at me. And as I stand, they fall down to one knee.
My eyes shoot around and watch as every man and woman kneels in front of me.
“What’s happening?” I ask, to no one in particular.
Clifton steps forward from the crowd. I hadn’t even realized he was here. “They are accepting you as their new leader. Every man and woman bowing will go to the ends of the earth for you. They will fight for you. Protect your children with their lives. You won the games, and won them all over.”
Wow.
I expected once I won, I would have the power. I didn’t expect the men to actually honor that I was their leader. At least, not like this.
“The men would like to know what you would like to do with the betrayers?” Clifton asks.
I look at the men who would kill me or my children in a heartbeat. “Kill them, but not here. Enough blood has been spilled here.”
Clifton nods and heads toward the men to be disposed of.
Archard steps forward. “You are now Kai Black, the leader of this organization. And with it comes all the powers and benefits, along with the responsibilities.”
“I’ve always been Kai Black,” I say solemnly. Winning the game changed nothing.
Archard nods, as do most of the men agreeing with me.
“I will now transfer the codes and locations of the vaults and bank accounts,” Archard says.
I nod.
He leans down and whispers into my ear so only I can hear. I’m afraid at first I will forget, but this is what I’ve fought so hard for. There is no way I will forget.
“My job is done,” Archard says once he has finished telling me the codes, and then he leaves after giving my hand a tight squeeze.
I look over to the man closest to me. “Release Liesel,” I order.
The man stands and makes a call, and the van returns. A door opens, and Liesel steps out.
I run to her, needing the comfort of one of my only friends left in the world. We collide in an embrace full of pain at losing a man we both loved.
“I’m sorry, I failed,” I say.
She grabs my face and looks at my tear-streaked eyes. “No, you won. Love won.”
“Your child!” I look around for someone, anyone, to tell me where her son is. “Where is he?” I shout to the nearest man.
“I don’t know, Black,” he says.
“It’s Mrs. Black,” I say.
“Sorry, Mrs. Black. But I will find out for you right away.”
I nod and turn back to Liesel.
“I can’t see him,” she says suddenly.
“Why not?”
“Because he needs to go back to his parents. I don’t want him in this life. I don’t want to have to choose someday between saving my child and the man I love. It’s not safe for him. And if I see him, I won’t be able to let him go,” Liesel says.
