The gunshots continued. The shouting got louder and closer.
“We might die in here,” Winter whispered into my ear.
“Are you coming onto me right now?”
She laughed, hysterical and afraid. I was on the verge of freaking out too.
I was always in danger. My whole life was danger. Roman never let me forget that, not ever since Liv died.
But this was the closest it’d ever gotten.
“I’m just thinking how hilarious it’ll be, dying in a wedding dress.”
“A wedding dress you didn’t pay for and didn’t actually get married in.”
“God, what a nightmare.”
“Shh, quiet. I hear something.” I strained to listen.
The gunshots tapered off. Voices were nearby, talking loudly, angrily.
Someone slammed into the room beyond and began shoving over racks.
Another shout, another exchange. Winter squeezed my hand. I hugged her close, my heart racing wildly.
We were going to die.
Two gunshots. Loud, so loud. I squeezed my eyes shut. The closet was so dark. I wondered if they’d kill us right away, or drag us out and then shoot us.
I hoped they’d do it fast. I didn’t want to suffer.
I hoped I’d see Liv again.
God, I really missed her.
I thought of that night so many times since then. Wondered what I should do differently.
Not that it mattered anymore.
Footsteps coming close.
Winter clutched my arm tighter. “It’ll be okay,” she whispered. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll find a way out. We’ll—”
The door ripped open.
A man stared inside. I blinked several times as my eyes adjusted.
“There you are. I was looking for you two.”
Kaspar’s smile was like a burn wound. He tilted his head but didn’t move. The gun at his hip smoked softly. He looked right at me with an expression locked between excitement and ecstasy and pure desire. He looked like he wanted to tear down this building and let it collapse around us, just so long as he got to be alone with me.
I thought back to college, to Blackhills.
To the messages he used to send me. The way he’d follow me home from class.
Always lurking. Never too close.
Kaspar, gorgeous and terrifying Kaspar. I hated him back then. Hated the way he wanted me and wouldn’t let it go. Hated how he could have any girl on that campus and chose the one that wasn’t available.
And now I hated him for looking at me the way he used to—with pure, utter need and devotion.
With control and desire.
“What are you doing here?” Winter said, pushing me back behind her. That broke his spell.
I didn’t know why she wanted to protect me. I was the one from an Oligarch family—and yet Winter stepped up and shoved me back.
My brother was right to marry her.
“I heard there was trouble.” Kaspar’s voice was husky and quiet. Behind him, two men lay dead on the floor, both bleeding from wounds to the skull. Their brains were splattered across the racks.
“Darren won’t let you get away with this. He’ll stop you. He’s going to—”
Kaspar’s eyes went wide. Then he laughed.
It was piercing and horrible.
He was so handsome, like a Nordic prince.
And he terrified me.
“Winter, you have it all wrong. I’m not here to kill you. I’m here to save you.”
“Liar.”
He spread out his hands, shaking his head. “Those men out there are from the MacKenna family. My people intercepted a message about this attack and I only just made it here in time.”
“Why didn’t you warn Darren?”
“I did, but he’s late.” Kaspar reached out a hand toward Winter. “Come on now. You’re still in danger.”
“I don’t trust you.”
His eyes slipped to mine. I shuffled back slightly. I didn’t want him looking at me.
I was afraid of what I’d say.
“What about you, Pen? Are you afraid too?”
I clenched my jaw. “I’m not afraid.”
“Then let’s get out of here.”
His hand stayed hovering before us.
I moved past Winter and took it.
Winter let out an annoyed sigh as Kaspar led me into the back room then into the fitting area again. More bodies were littered all over the floor, blood splattered everywhere, the dresses ruined.
Except the one Winter had on. That was still perfect. She lifted up the hem to make sure it didn’t drag.
Kaspar didn’t release my hand. He pulled me along with Winter trailing after.
My heart raced. I wasn’t sure if I was still about to die—Kaspar could be lying and planned on ending us both—but I didn’t think so. He was strange and terrifying but he didn’t seem like the type to draw things out needlessly. If he wanted me dead, he would’ve pulled the trigger already.
The front room was a wreck. Two men stood near the door and nodded at Kaspar as we approached. I didn’t recognize them but guessed they were his guards.
“Anyone left?” Kaspar asked.
“Nobody,” the taller guard said. He looked grim. “We lost three in the fighting.”
“And they lost more.” Kaspar slapped his shoulder. “It was a good showing. You should be proud.”