Ian

Tossed on the ground, the breath whooshed out of my lungs. “Thanks, Hodor,” I grumbled. The big guy kicked me in the stomach and it hurt so fucking bad, I was sure an organ had exploded.

Daniel burst out laughing. “Even when you’re going to die, you joke around. Too bad humor won’t be enough to save you.”

I glared up at him. “We all die. Some faster than others.”

“Garth, untie him.” Daniel gestured to Jared. Once he was up and standing on his own, Daniel held out his rifle to him. “I’ll make you a deal, my friend. If you want to live, shoot Chandler through the foot.”

Jared spat at him. “I’m not your friend, you prick. I’m not doing shit.”

Daniel circled around and hit him in the back of the head. Jared fell to his knees, but jumped right back up. “You and your father are such limp-wristed bitches. You wouldn’t be where you are today if it wasn’t for my grandfather and his money. How do you think your father built your multi-million dollar hotel?”

Jared shook his head. “My father made his own mistakes. His actions do not speak for me.”

Daniel ran the gun barrel against Jared’s back. “If you don’t shoot Chandler now, I’ll go after mommy dearest . . . just like I did your father.”

Jared swung and punched Daniel in the jaw. The guy had more balls than I’d given him credit for. Daniel burst out laughing and waved to Garth. “Go pick up his mother. I’m sure she’ll be happy to know her son didn’t want to save her.”

“Stop,” Jared shouted, hanging his head. “Leave her out of this. I’ll do what you want.”

Daniel grinned smugly and winked at me. “You see? I always win.”

Jared took the rifle. “I’m sorry, Chandler. I have to do this.”

I didn’t blame the guy. I had no doubt Daniel would go after Jared’s mother; I could see it in his eyes. Jared pointed the rifle at me and I kept my gaze on him. Everything went into slow motion after that. I half expected to lose my foot, then Jared lifted the barrel and pointed it at Daniel; too bad his trigger-finger wasn’t fast enough. Garth smacked it away and the shot flew astray.

Daniel sucked in a breath, his murderous glare on Jared. “You worthless piece of shit. I was going to let you live, but now you’ve done gone and fucked up.” Garth handed him the rifle and he shot Jared in the foot. Jared fell to the ground, screaming. “Now get up and run,” Daniel demanded. “I won’t ask again. Next time, I’ll shoot your balls off.”

Jared got to his one good foot and hopped away, only to fall right down to the ground. I fought against my restraints, trying my best to loosen them. That was when I felt the vibration on my wrist. Reed was there. I looked around, but he was nowhere to be seen. Then, a gunshot came. I spun around to see if they’d blown Jared’s balls off, but found Garth’s knee bleeding out instead. He screamed, falling like a ton of bricks.

Daniel dropped his rifle and took off. Talk about being a fucking coward.

“Jared, help me get free!” I yelled. “We have to stop him.” He crawled over, but Reed beat him to it.

“I got ya, brother.”

He cut my binds and I grabbed his rifle. “I have to get him.” I jumped to my feet and looked around. Daniel was nowhere to be found. My body shook with rage. I wanted to watch him die—needed it.

Reed squeezed my shoulder. “He’s gone, Ian. I couldn’t get a good shot on him from my position. My main concern was you. Maybe the police will have found him during his escape.”

“It’s okay,” I said, “You’re right. He won’t get far.”

Jared growled in pain. “Let’s hope not. He knows too many people who’ll keep him safe.”

Reed and I looked at each other. I didn’t like the sound of that. Together, we lifted Jared up and we set him on a hay bale, leaving Garth on the ground, wallowing in pain.

“The police are on their way. Andrew’s being apprehended as well. What about him?” Reed asked, nodding toward Jared. “Was he a part of all this?”

“No. He found out from his father, and was apprehended when he said he’d call the police on their operation.”

Reed nodded, then gestured toward the house. “You might want to check on Grace. She’s inside.”

“What?” Jared and I shouted at the same time. Eyes wide, I glared at him. “What the hell is she doing here?”

He shrugged. “She’s stubborn and she stole your car. There was nothing I could do about it, I was already on my way here. Although, I think we know who wanted her dead.”

“Who?”

Reed pointed at the red sports car in the driveway. “You’re about to find out.”