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I’ve never wanted to scream so bad in my life but she quickly gets moving and I watch as she dives into the coat closet just outside of the entryway foyer.
She’ll be alright in there.
The phone in my hand buzzes and I quickly scan over the text.
Unknown – Thank God. I was so worried. Don’t you dare come out of there until they’re gone. Do you understand me?
Unknown – Maryne and Harrison are in the wine cellar under the Carrington’s private kitchen. They’re going to be alright down there.
I let out a shaky breath and step back into Colton’s side. “They’re in the wine cellar.”
“Which one?” he rushes out in a strange tone. “Dad’s personal one or under the kitchen?”
“Kitchen.”
Colton presses a few keys and within seconds, he brings up the camera for the wine cellar but instead of finding them hiding in there, we find Maryne being dragged out by her hair while a gun remains trained on Harrison’s chest.
“Fuck,” Colton grunts, flying out of his chair. He instantly begins pacing in front of the screen in an absolute panic, not once taking his eyes off the people who have done more for him than his own parents.
The need to break out of here pulses through me and I wonder just how stupid it would be to race down to the pool house and find Nic’s gun in the back of my underwear drawer. I stand no chance against these guys but at least I’d be doing something instead of just standing here and watching as it all plays out.
Maryne is dragged up the six steps leading down to the wine cellar and she scrambles to get free, clawing at the guy’s hand in her hair. She draws blood but he’s relentless and refuses to release her.
They get to the top and Colton switches the screen so we see them in the kitchen. The DeCarlo son stands over her, yelling in her face. Tears roll down her cheeks but she’s strong, whatever he wants, he’s not getting it from her. She spits in his face and my eyes widen in fear as he rears back and slaps her hard across the face.
Harrison appears in the kitchen and I’ve never seen him look so pissed. He rushes toward them but the guy jams the gun hard under Maryne’s chin while grinning up at Harrison like some kind of monster.
Harrison comes screeching to a stop, hands up, and looking at Maryne with fear in his eyes. He pleads with the brother to let Maryne go but in the blink of an eye, a sick grin twists across his face and the trigger is pulled, sending blood spraying throughout the kitchen.
Chapter 21
“NOOOOO,” I scream, racing to the door and banging my fits against it. “You fucking bastard. I’m going to kill you.”
Colton races after me, curling his strong arms around my waist and hauling me away from the door. “Shhhh, Jade. Shhhhhh.”
I fight against his hold, clawing at his arms, desperate for my freedom. I’d do anything to get downstairs and curl my hands around that fucker’s throat. Hell, maybe I’ll shove his own fucking gun against his jaw and shoot him exactly the same way he shot Maryne.
He didn’t even hesitate, just shot her. She didn’t do anything wrong, never hurt anybody, and was always the first person to offer me a warm smile. I need to make this right. I need to get out of here. I need my fucking Widows. I need Nic. He’ll know what to do.
“Come on, baby, please. You need to calm down. We’re outnumbered. If they find us up here, they won’t leave until we’re in body bags. Come on, Jade. Please, there’s nothing we can do.”
“No,” I cry, desperately trying to pull free. “There has to be something. I refuse to just sit here and let them get away with this. They can’t do this. She …she …”
Colton turns me in his arms and crushes me into his wide chest. “I know,” he murmurs. “But I’m not going to let that be your fate. We have to wait them out. Believe me, we will make them pay. I will end them, but we can’t win like this. We have nothing. If we run out of here right now, we’re both dead.”
“I … I …” He holds me tighter and the fight begins to leave. She’s dead. He just took her life as though it meant nothing. Sweet Maryne, gone just like that.
My eyes begin welling with tears as reality truly starts to sink in.
She’s gone.
Gone.
My eyes flash to the monitor to see Harrison on his knees with Maryne’s lifeless body in his arms. He holds her tight, sobbing for his lost friend as blood pools around his knees. I’ve never seen someone so filled with pain and it becomes instantly clear—Harrison was deeply in love with Maryne.
