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Just the thought slows my steps. I’d be naïve not to think it. People do whatever it takes for power in the Gutter District, and I know Gillian and Madame Tamsin will always crave more.
“Keep up, Kinsey. We can’t be late.” Wilder tugs me with him, forcing me to keep his pace.
I yank back, trying to buy some time before facing Gillian. “Wilder, wait. I’m scared. I can’t do this. What if this is a trap? Gillian was avoiding Madame Tamsin because of something to do with her addiction. I think she either owed her money, or Madame Tamsin wanted to take over for Gillian’s boss. She knows who and what I am. We can’t trust her. There has to be another way.” The words tumble from my mouth as I drag my feet. The only reason I continue walking forward is because Wilder pulls me along as if I’m on a string like a balloon.
“I already thought about that possibility, Kinsey. Money can buy loyalty. So can fear. I made your dealers an offer they can’t refuse that will also keep you safe.” Wilder reels me closer until I hit his side, coaxing me along. He doesn’t give me a chance to get myself together. I’m nearly certain if I resist him, I’m going to end up on his shoulder and be carried like a child throwing a tantrum.
“You can’t truly believe that money buys trust. Madame Tamsin has a lot of power and resources.” I suck my bottom lip between my teeth, biting it to stop my mouth from trembling.
“Well, the threat of destroying them completely does. Plus, I have offered them access to Gilded Sands. I’ll ensure our authorities don’t monitor their behavior as long as they don’t commit serious offenses.” Wilder pulls me down an alley, cutting between the buildings. At the end of the alley, I spot a beat-up pickup truck, the paint worn and rusted. A crack crawls across the windshield, and one of the worn tires misses a hubcap.
Wilder stops and shoves the key into the lock, opening the door to reveal a filthy, shredded leather bench seat. He motions for me to get in. “Please have a little faith in me, Kinsey. I know what I’m doing. I’ve dealt with people like Gillian and her boss before.”
Arguing is pointless, so I just follow his command and slide in behind the wheel to scoot over. He sits beside me, pulling me into the middle to keep me ultra-close and within reach. He slams the door, startling me, and I practically bury my face into his side, forcing him to drape his arm across my shoulders. I hate that I feel so vulnerable, so weak, but being this close to him also makes me feel safe.
My trust issues scream at me to knock it off, but he’s right. I have to have faith in him and hope he truly wants me around for his sister’s sake.
Wilder maneuvers from the curb, the truck shaking me to my core. It feels as if the tires might fall off at any second, but it doesn’t stop him from stomping the throttle and speeding down the street toward the meet-up point.
I hunker down, trying my best not to look out the window. I don’t feel safe in this vehicle, even with Wilder clutching me. I wish we didn’t come alone. I wish I could be sandwiched between one of his brothers too. His insistence on keeping this time for himself makes more sense since our kiss. I get it. He fights his attraction to me, but he also doesn’t want to miss out because of it.
He’s a piece of fucking work. I can’t judge much because so am I.
“This should only take a couple of minutes. If you reach into my jacket, there’s an envelope in the inside pocket. That’s for Gillian. Also, there’s a gun in the glove compartment that’s not connected to us. I want you to take that as well. Have you ever shot one?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No, and I’m not starting now. You use it if you have to.”
He groans under his breath. “Note to self, teach the brat some self-preservation skills and basics on weaponry.”
I groan and wonder why he wants to put so much effort into me. I get that he doesn’t want me to leave because of his sister, but what happens after? She’s supposed to work toward rejoining society, and these pills are the first step.
I don’t get a chance to really think more about it, because I spot a familiar woman standing outside the door to an old book shop. Gillian peers around, bouncing on her feet, looking as nervous as the last time I saw her.
“That’s her. Over there.” I point out the window.
“Fuck.” Wilder growls under his breath. “Get down.”
I whip my attention to where he stares. Gillian doesn’t see the man crossing the street like we do. I open my mouth to scream, but Wilder stifles my voice, yanking me into him. Peeking from my spot, I cry softly at the sight of the man reaching into his jacket.
I startle and squeeze my eyes shut at the sound of a gunshot. Gillian screams, her yell ringing through the air, her pain palpable enough for me to feel as if it was my own.
Snapping my eyes open, I watch as the woman who has helped me for the last two years falls to the ground. She bleeds everywhere.
Chapter 12
Kinsey
Survive
Wilderswervesthetruck,screeching to a halt at the curb. Reaching over me, he grabs a gun from the dashboard and hops out, leaving me in shock. I jump at the sound of more gunfire, watching as Wilder shoots the guy in the back, not letting him leave.
My brain finally kicks on, and I hop out of the truck and run to Gillian. She gasps, her body shuddering as she lies helplessly on the sidewalk. Blinking slowly, she stares at the sky, her eyes wide. I press my hands to the bloody spot on her abdomen, trying to stanch the bleeding, but it just keeps seeping between my fingers.
“Gillian, oh my God. Hold on. We’re going to get you help.” It hurts to say the words, because I know that there’s no way we’re going to call the authorities. A part of me hates that she suffers helplessly, without any hope. This isn’t right. No one deserves to die like this. Not even the woman who turned my life upside down. In a way, she still saved me. I wouldn’t have had the last two years of beta normalcy without her. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Tears escape my eyes, dripping down my cheeks in hot trails. I gasp a couple of breaths, attempting to hide my panic. Gillian opens and closes her mouth, unable to speak. Her eyes flick back and forth, looking over my face, and then she goes still. The light leaves her eyes, and she dies right before me without a word and without anyone who loved her. She should’ve been with her pack. I know she got herself into this situation one way or another, but she deserved better.
My body cools with numbness, and I slowly lift my hands, staring at her blood dripping from my fingers.
