More men emerged from the other boat, carrying guns and bulletproof vests. There were at least twelve, far more than Cauldron and I could handle.
I felt like I could shit my pants, but Cauldron positioned himself in front of me as if this was just another day in the life.
Another man stepped off the boat—and I recognized him immediately.
Grave.
Fucking bastard.
Cauldron lowered the gun when he saw his brother appear on the yacht. “How’s the arm?”
Grave gave his brother the coldest look I’d ever seen. He raised the once-injured arm and tightened his fingers into a fist. “Like new.”
“That’s great to hear,” Cauldron said like a smartass. “But if you want it to stay that way, I suggest you get off my goddamn ship.”
“I’ll be leaving in a moment.” His eyes shifted to me. “Just need to grab something.”
We really were doomed to repeat this insanity. “This is just pathetic.” His life really had no other value unless I was in it. It was sad, because it was all an act, every conversation, every night in his bed. I was paid handsomely to do a job, and I succeeded at that job with flying colors. That’s it.
“We both have more important shit to do,” Cauldron said.
Grave nodded to one of his men.
Cauldron raised his shotgun.
But a shot was fired, making Cauldron drop the shotgun and falter backward.
It was so horrifying, I couldn’t react right away. Blood burst from his arm, and he gritted his teeth as his flesh swallowed the bullet.
Grave didn’t look the least bit apologetic. “Eye for an eye. Or should I say, an arm for an arm.” He gestured to his men. “Take her.”
Suddenly, I knew guns like the back of my hand. I raised my pistol and fired at the first man and sent him down.
Grave looked stricken, as if that was the last thing he expected.
The chamber was empty, so I went for the shotgun Cauldron had dropped. It was heavy, but I managed to aim it and take out the next guy before he could reach me.
Cauldron was back on his feet, the automatic rifle in his hands.
This time, Grave was the one who pulled the trigger. He fired once again, hitting Cauldron in the same place, and this time, he went down.
“Take her,” Grave said.
The shotgun was empty, so I set it aside and went to Cauldron’s side. “Oh my god…” There was so much blood. It poured from his arm, which was probably shattered into pieces from the bullets. “Cauldron.” I gripped his bloody wound with both hands and applied pressure.
He looked at me, his eyes calm as usual. “I’ll get you back.”
I wasn’t worried about me. I was worried about him. “I’m not going to leave you!”
A man dragged me off him.
“Let me go!” I elbowed him then threw my leg back.
That only spawned another guy to help.
“You can’t just leave him like this.” They yanked me back, my wrists handcuffed behind my back.
“I’m not,” Grave said simply.
A man came forward and started to bandage up the bloody wounds.
Grave stood over his brother, his eyes devoid of all remorse. “My men will take your helicopter to the hospital. I wish you a speedy recovery.”
Cauldron breathed hard from the deck, vengeance in his eyes. “You realize what you’ve done?”
“Started a war?” Grave asked with a slight chuckle. “No, brother. That was you.”
TEN
CAMILLE
“Sir, she won’t calm down.”
I threw my body over the guard’s lap and against the car door. I wasn’t sure what my intention was. No amount of rage would break the bulletproof glass. I went from side to side, screaming to break free, knowing Cauldron was being flown to a hospital for his gaping wounds. He probably had a broken arm. Might bleed to death. I might never see him again. “Ahh!” I threw my body once more, ignoring the burn of the seat belt as it chafed my neck. I kicked the driver in the arm, making the car veer off the road momentarily.
Grave didn’t turn around. “Give it to her.”
“Give me what?” I demanded.
The guy on the left held me across his lap and pinned my arms down.
A needle pricked into my neck, and then the drugs were administered.
Once I was free, I sat up again to fight, but then I immediately went weak and crumpled back into the guy’s lap. The last thing I thought of was Cauldron, drenched in blood, powerless to do anything except let Grave take me.
I woke up on a bed.
No pillow under my head. No sheets over my body.
My eyes opened slowly, and I saw the closed curtains across the room. A small strip of light was visible, reaching across the hardwood floor and the rug around my bed. My mind was foggy as it stirred, and I found it empty of all thoughts entirely. The drugs were still rampant in my system, and it took more strength than usual to prop myself up and look at my surroundings.