Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 54283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Naz shudders in rage, a terrifying growl rumbling up from his chest. "Don't touch her," he snarls. "It'll be the biggest fucking mistake of your life, Nicolas."
Nicolas smirks in response, his lips twisting cruelly as he swings the gun in my direction. "I'm happy to blow her pretty little head off instead, Nazario," he says. "Would that be better? You can watch the back of her skull explode, watch her brains splatter all over your bedroom wall. Is that what you want?"
Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow hard, fighting the urge to vomit.
We're going to die. This is really happening.
"Naz," I whimper, hot tears spilling down my cheeks.
Naz reaches for my hand, his fingers brushing mine as he tries to offer me some small comfort. But before I can grasp them, the giant is on top, trying to rip me away from Naz.
"Don't fucking touch her," Naz snarls.
Juan ignores him, shoving me to the floor.
Naz snarls like a wounded, vicious animal, launching himself at the bigger man. He collides with him as if hitting a brick wall. Juan doesn't flinch, doesn't move. But Naz doesn't flinch, either. He's full of rage, of fire.
Until Nicolas strides across the room, shoving his gun up against the side of my head.
I whimper, cold fear sliding through my veins.
Naz immediately stops fighting, stops moving. He goes completely still, terror firing in his eyes.
Juan uses the moment to his advantage, driving his fist into Naz's stomach with brutal force.
Naz lands on his knees with a grunt.
"Naz!" Sobs choke me as I watch, helpless as Juan yanks his arms behind his back, tying his hands together.
Nicolas's taunting laughter echoes around the room, and I want to launch myself at him. Claw that smirk from his face. But he has the gun…and I've got nothing but rage.
"Are you still sure you chose well, Brynna?" he asks, derision dripping from every word. "Your God doesn't look so invincible, groveling on his knees like a beaten dog."
"Fuck you," I hiss. "My father will hunt you down like the traitorous piece of shit you are."
"Your father?" Nicolas smiles. "He's next on our list, princesa. By dawn, Los Angeles will belong to Felipe Rojas."
"How long, Nicolas?" Naz asks, weariness in his voice. "How long have you been playing both sides?"
"Both sides?" Nicolas shakes his head. "There were never two sides, Nazario. There was only ever his side. You were just too blind to see it."
"You've been with Rojas all along?"
Nicolas shrugs. "You think this organization is yours because we put a crown on your head, príncipe? I tried to warn you that it takes more than fear to lead. Your people aren't loyal to you. They're loyal to your father. They're his people, not yours. The rest belong to me. To Rojas. He splintered you from the inside while you thought you were waging war." Nicolas's lip curls. "Without her, you never would have seen it happening."
"Jesus Christ," Naz mutters. "You're throwing a tantrum because I wised up to your fucking game."
"No, Leyva. I'm ending it before you undo all the work I put in. Tie her up, Juan." Nicolas steps aside, making room for Juan.
As soon as he moves, I jump to my feet. He isn't tying me up. There's no fucking way I'm letting him do that. Either way, Naz and I are probably going to die. But I'm not going to die with either of these bastards on top of me, forcing Naz to watch the sick things they do to me to break him. And Nicolas is precisely that twisted, soulless, evil type.
I take off, trying to make it across the room before Juan gets his hands on me. He's a lot faster than he looks, though.
I'm nearly to the bedroom door when he grabs me by the hair, dragging me back against him.
"Let me go!" I scream in pain, in fury, struggling in his arms.
"Shut the fuck up, bitch," he growls, viciously pinching my nipple.
I cry out, digging my nails in his arm. Biting. Fighting like hell.
"I'm going to fucking desecrate everything you've ever loved for touching her," Naz says, his tone black.
"Cristo, Juan. Get her under control," Nicolas snaps impatiently. "Whatever it takes."
Juan wraps a hand around my throat, cutting off my air supply. I immediately stop fighting, terror curdling in my blood. Unlike with Naz, this isn't pleasure. This isn't rapture. This is hell.
Naz meets my gaze, torment raging in his eyes. "Let her go and I'll give you whatever you want," he says, the same pain in his voice. It breaks me because I know he means it. His life for mine, that's what he's offering.
I want to scream and rage, but I can't.
I can't even breathe.
Nicolas laughs as if the offer amuses him. "You bargain as if you have something we want, but you still do not understand. There is nothing, príncipe. We simply wish you out of our way."