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“I’m serious, Alex. Stay behind this wall. Donotmove from this spot.” He kissed her quickly on the lips as she nodded. He sprang to his feet, peering around the corner.
Cautiously, he re-entered the kitchen, weapon drawn. Joe was to his right, crouched behind the kitchen island with his own weapon aimed at the empty doorway. Quinn joined him behind the island.
Seconds ticked by before a movement beyond the splintered door caught his attention. A figure gradually came into view.
On either side of the island, both men froze.
“Fuck,” he muttered. His rage took a dangerous turn.
Preston Woodsworth stood in the doorway. In front of him was Roxie. Blood streamed down her face, and one of her shoulders fell at an unnatural angle. Woodsworth had an arm locked against her neck, holding her in place, while his other jammed a gun into the side of her head.
“Evening, gentlemen.” Woodsworth’s voice was smooth and conversational. “You may want to lower your weapons.”
No way in hell.“Let her go, Woodsworth,” Quinn said, rising. In his peripheral, Joe did the same.
“Natalie! I know you can hear me. Come see what surprise I have for you.” His arm visibly tightened around Roxie’s throat, making her whimper.
Motherfucker.He was going to destroy this asshole at the first opportunity.
“Natalie,” Preston called out again. “I can either choke her to death or blow her brains out. Which would you prefer, darling? Either one sounds like a good time to me.”
* * *
Upon hearing Preston’s voice, Alex peeked around the corner. Her breath caught at the sight before her. Quinn and Joe, guns drawn, stood opposite Preston as he held Roxie captive. Her friend’s eyes were wide, her skin flushed and covered in blood.
“Let her go, Preston,” she demanded, sounding stronger than she felt. She inched into the kitchen, hands outstretched before her to show she was unarmed.
“Natalie, darling, what have you done with your hair? You know I hate your natural color.” Though his volume rose with every word, his hold around Roxie’s throat relaxed. “How many times have I told you that, you stupid bitch?!”
Her heart broke at the terror in Roxie’s eyes.
“Let her go, Preston,” she repeated.
Ignoring her, he looked back at Quinn and Joe. “This is the last time I’m going to tell you boys.” He smiled, tightening his grip around Roxie’s neck. “Drop your guns. Or it’ll be my pleasure to put a hole in this hot little number’s head.”
She walked deeper into the kitchen.
“Alex, stay back,” Quinn barked.
“Alex?” Preston asked with a raise of his eyebrow. “That’s right, you’re using that ridiculous name now. So provincial. Really, what the hell kind of name is that,Nataliedarling?”
“Please, Preston.” She didn’t dare make eye contact with Quinn. “Let her go. Please.”
“Boys?” Preston pushed the muzzle of his gun harder against Roxie’s head, and when she cried out, both men lowered their weapons.
Preston smiled. “Put the guns down and kick them to me. You know how this goes.”
Quinn and Joe placed their weapons on the floor and then kicked them in opposite directions. Away from Preston.
Preston’s eyes narrowed, and he tsked, redirecting his attention to Alex. “Natalie, darling, you have ten seconds to bring those guns over to me.”
She nodded. As quick as she could, she retrieved the guns. Then hesitated.
Preston pinned her with his malicious blue eyes. “It’s very simple, Natalie. If you want your friend to not have a hole in her fucking head, you’ll toss the guns out the door, and we’ll make a little swap. You come with me. End of story. If you want to play hero and shoot me, that’s fine, too. But I’m taking your little friend here out with me. Can you live with that?”
She stole a glance at Quinn, and her heart sank. His attention was bouncing between her and Roxie. Anguish and fury warred in his eyes. And tore at her heart.
There was no other choice.
