Page 78 of Storm's Deliverance

His boot freezes mid-air, his amber eyes slowly turning towards Ghost. “What?”

“Not now,” Ghost demands.

Rage looks down at what used to be Zeke’s face. Shrugs. “Fair.” He wipes his boot on Zeke’s shirt. “Weren’t worth keeping anyway.”

Despite myself, I almost laugh. Almost. But it’s Storm. My Storm. “Can we all admire Rage’s artwork later?” I snap. “My woman’s fucking bleeding out.”

Ghost nods immediately. “Get her out.”

“Easy,” Enzo says, standing. “Close your eyes, Stormi.” He raises his gun towards the chain.

“STOP!” Acid barrels into the room. He grabs Enzo’s arm, shoving the gun towards the ceiling. “Gas.” Every head turns. He lifts his shirt over his nose. “I can smell it.” Silence. Fuck. “You fire that gun...” His eyes sweep the apartment. “... We all die.”

Storm coughs weakly. “He knew...” We all look at her. “He knew you’d come.” She swallows painfully. “He knew you’d never stop looking. It was a trap.”

Acid nods. “A slow gas leak.”

“Why didn’t it go up when she shot him?” Enzo asks.

“It wasn’t concentrated enough yet.” Acid scans the room. “It will be soon.”

A cold chill crawls down my spine. The bastard planned every fucking second. “What if I cut it?” Rage asks, holding up his machete.

Acid shakes his head. “Metal on metal.”

“Sparks, bad. Anyone got bolt cutters?”

Ghost glares around the room. “Do any of us look like we carry fucking bolt cutters?”

Beast walks to the window. “I’ll smash it.” He drives his fist into the glass, but it barely cracks.

Hawk sighs. “Reinforced.” Everyone looks at him. “What? We’re on the eleventh floor.” He shrugs. “I fucking read.”

Dad smirks. “Could’ve fooled me.”

“Fuck you.” Hawk flips him off.

“Enough!” I roar.

The room falls silent, and I look around at every one of them. “We’re standing here arguing while she’s chained to a fucking radiator, bleeding and breathing in toxic gas!” My voice cracks. “I nearly lost her once.” I look back at Storm. “I’m not fucking doing it again.” Ghost steps beside me, and Enzo joins my other side. Three men; one purpose.

Ghost points towards Hap. “Find the super. Get the gas shut off, and if that bastard hasn’t got bolt cutters...” Ghost grits his teeth “It’s in his best fucking interest to find some.”

Hap disappears without another word.

Storm chuckles weakly behind us. We all spin around. “At least,” she winces. “If I die...”

“No.” I drop straight back to my knees beside her. “No.” I cradle her face. “Listen to me.” Our foreheads touch. “You don’t get to leave me.”

She smiles. “Bossy.”

“You’re damn right.” My throat tightens. “I’ve loved you my whole bloody life.” Tears sting my eyes. “I’ve waited for you. I’ve watched you love someone else. I’ve watched that bastard nearly take you from me.” My voice breaks. “I’m not doing this again.” I kiss her forehead. “So, if you’ve got any stupid ideas about dying...” I shake my head. “Forget them. We’ve still got a wedding to argue over. You’ve still got to steal my surname. We’ve still got babies to make.”

A tear slips down her cheek. “And sweetheart...” I grin. “I’ve only scratched the surface of all the filthy things I’m planning to do to you.”

Ghost growls. “Drix...”

Without taking my eyes off Storm, I smile. “Sorry, Prez.” A beat passes. “Not really.”