Page 101 of Bound By Blood and Lies

I shoot her a look out of the corner of my eye. Fiona can say whatever she wants, she’s earned that, but we need to make sure he stays calm if we are going to pull this off. I look back at Longstaff, and my spine straightens as I shift my weight.

“Well, that’s what happens when some bitch poisons my family,” he spits.

My nostrils flare as I grit my teeth, locking it down before any retort can slip through. Every part of my training has led me here, drilled into me until it’s muscle memory. I won’t let him drag me into anger even though it claws at me like a mouse in a trap. Just looking at him makes my stomach turn. How many women ended up like me? Pregnant with a rapist’s baby? Orworse yet, how many ended up like Robyn, breathing but empty inside? I will never understand how he sleeps at night.

“Do you think this is a game?” Fiona snaps. “After everything you’ve done?”

His attention shifts and his jaw flexes as he stares at her. For the first time, I see his professional mask slip.

“Everything I’ve done?” he repeats, almost incredulous. “You mean everything I built.”

A bitter laugh escapes her. “Built?” she echoes. “Is that what you’re calling it now?”

I keep my breathing steady and my focus locked, but I feel the shift in the air. It’s like poison seeping into everything the eye can see.

“Fiona, darling, let’s not get dramatic.”

Fiona scoffs and his glare hardens. My eyes glance around the room as my hand drifts slowly into my bag. I feel the cool metal settle into my palm and take in a steadying breath. The front door sits behind him, and I silently curse myself for letting us get into this position. To the side of me are the tunnels, but I already know there’s no exit. My grip tightens slightly around the gun before I gently click the safety off.

“Let’s go,” he barks, giving me a death stare.

Fiona glances at me as I whip out my gun, but I’m cut off from firing. The sound of multiple safeties clicking off echoes across the cavernous space and my head whips to the side. Six men step forward, all their guns aimed at me, and the sound of Longstaff’s laugh rings out across the church.

Fuck.

“You stupid girl, you really thought I would come alone?”

I don’t answer.

I just look at him as I lift the gun, lining it with his head. My hand trembles and I bring my other one up to steady it, locking my grip firmly into place. Longstaff’s brow lifts mockingly.

“Bradley…” Fiona starts.

“Shut up!” he snaps. “Was this your plan? Bring Fae here to kill me? Are you and Roman really that much of a coward?” His gaze cuts back to me. “Put the gun down, Fae, or you’ll be dead in thirty seconds.”

“Bradley, wait!” Fiona steps in front of me. I shift to move around her, but she blocks me again.

“For fuck’s sake, Fi, move,” I mutter under my breath as I realise this is my worst nightmare coming to fruition.

“Put the guns down,” Fiona says in a loud and commanding voice. “All of you. If you put them down,” she continues, “so will Fae.”

“I’m not stupid, Fiona,” he sneers. “Fool me once…”

My eyes flick to the men again. Even if I take him out right now, I’d be dead in the blink of an eye. Sixteen weeks ago, I wouldn’t have cared very much if I lived or died, but now… now it’s not just me. Just like Fiona is doing this for her child, I need to think for mine too. My shoulders loosen a fraction and the gun dips.

There’s no way out.

I drop the gun and it clatters against the marble floor. Longstaff’s face twists with victory as I step out from behind Fiona with my hands up.

“Why?” I whisper, then clear my throat. “Why me? Why Robyn? Why this whole fucking organisation?”

“Because I loved my wife,” Longstaff responds automatically, like he was waiting for that question. I screw up my face like I sucked on a lemon and glance at Fiona, who looks furious.

“What the fuck does that mean?” Fiona hisses.

“It means…” Longstaff grits his teeth. “It means I couldn’t see you go through one more fucking stillbirth, Fi!”

Fiona stumbles back a step like the ground has shifted beneath her. The colour drains from her face, leaving her paleand hollow as she stares at him unblinking, like she’s seen a ghost. I glance between them as something deeper than anger cracks open in the space between Roman’s parents.