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He takes the paper. “I name my daughter, Ansley Black, as my heir.”
I raise an eyebrow, not sure if he’s lying or telling the truth about having a daughter. But I don’t question him now. I want him to play. I want him to lose. Killing him during the game is the only way to ensure his followers don’t kill us.
He scribbles his game on the piece of paper, then signs it and hands it to Archard.
“Eli Beckett,” Archard says.
Beckett steps forward and takes the piece of paper. I realize now he doesn’t have an heir to name. He frowns, looking at me like he’s about to hurt me. “I name Liesel’s child as my heir.”
It hurts. But I know it was necessary. He needs an heir to participate.
He scribbles on the paper while holding it against his knee, then hands it back to Archard.
Archard nods.
“Two will compete at a time. Each round will involve more and more dangerous weapons until only one man or woman is left standing. That person will be the winner. That person will be given all the access codes that only I know. That person will be the leader of the Black organization.”
Archard takes a blank piece of paper and rips it into four. He writes one of our names on each of the pieces of paper. “Before each round, I will draw names to decide who is competing. The first round involves no weapons. You will be required to stay within a twenty-foot circle while competing. And can only use what is within the boundaries. If you are all still alive, we will continue to the next round where you will be given your first weapon.” Archard rips a hat off a man standing near him and tosses the four pieces of paper into it.
He draws the first name. “Enzo will be competing against…”
We all suck in a breath as we wait. Please say, Felix. I want to kill him the first round and get this over with.
“…Kai.”
At least Kai is safe. I won’t hurt her.
“Which means Beckett and Felix will be competing. Each round will last twenty minutes. Kai and Enzo you are up first.”
Kai and I step forward into the circle while everyone else takes a step back. We remove our guns and knives, setting them outside the circle.
Archard sets his watch. “And go.”
Neither Kai or I move, we just stand, staring at each other, refusing to fight.
“Pussies! You see, men, they won’t even fight each other! They are weak! Undeserving of the title,” Felix shouts.
We both ignore Felix.
“I love you, stingray.”
“I love you, Black.”
I take her hand, gripping it hard as I try to push out all the hate and gather all the love and strength to surround us. These could be my last few moments with Kai, and I’m going to savor every second.
Beckett laughs. “If you think love is a weakness, then you can’t see straight. Look at them. Look how strong they are. I’ve never seen such strength. They are willing to do anything to protect those that they love.”
“I told you Beckett was on our side,” Kai whispers to me.
“I know, you are always right,” I wink.
And then I kiss her. In front of everyone. I kiss her like this is my first and last time. My tongue pushes deep into her mouth, tasting everything. This kiss is greater than love. This kiss binds us together—ensuring that as long as one of us is alive, so is the other. Nothing can separate us.
Slowly, we stop, long after the twenty-minute timer went off.
We walk out of the circle hand in hand, with no snark remarks from Felix. The rest of the crowd silent, as if in awe of what they just witnessed.
We walk over to Beckett. “Are you ready for this?” Kai asks.
