REDEMPTION: FEAR MY RETURN

eld a gun to Eli

, a pistol pressed against the back of her neck. Her cheek was crushed against the

up," El

ok at him. "Give

't hav

ved her down harder. Pain f

ted. "He said he

quiet," Eli

e to her that way. She twisted, trying to see him, but a hand

ch her," E

voice was calm, almost bored. "You're

the house. Raina could see her father's slippers near the kitchen threshold, one turned on its side

his lip darkened with blood. He kept looking

cting a debt?" she said. "Po

as's temple. "Your father borrowed fr

orrow anythi

" Elias

him shoot you because h

r. "You should ask your father

aid of you,"

me where th

u. I don't

olding Raina pressed his gun

lowered by an

answ

e you what I

her chest; her other hand was stretched toward the overturned tab

lu

her back. Raina cried out. The pistol at her ne

wn," he

d over. "She'

ter," Elias sai

ve me th

for something t

ghtened. "I kno

told

oesn't

tters

any

. A second man stood over Elias, weapon raised, blocking the hallway. Lucian

er father. "Dad

d-a flicker of fear, quic

said. "She d

need to," E

then she'll understand

on back to her. "If you shoot him, you do

sed a fraction. Luc

ow wher

N

e nothing to

e in. I have your face. Your name. If you kill him,

ss smile. "You think the tru

n's gun followed him. "She's right

en us when you hid what

elonged to

hift was subtle, but Raina saw it: the smile v

it?" he

said n

arrel harder into hi

to Lucian, but to her father.

eyes were wet, though he

rked against the guard. "Do

econd man grabbed Elias by the sho

amed. "Sto

gs he had never said. She kicked, bucked, clawed at the floor. The g

nce," Luc

oved. Raina cou

Lucian

aid

rack spli

e floor first, then his head. Raina's screa

palms sliding on the floorboards. Lucian's men grabbed her again, but sh

ad, loo

failed, then reached for her. Raina caught his

, though his blood was warm on her

closer. "Sear

rd the stairs. Another

n. The pistol hung at hi

e his c

s my f

g that could cost man

get to de

hardened. "I

ng out, twisting toward Elias as they dragged her ac

he

rs closed aro

she gasp

a dropped to her knees beside him

that only she could hear him

is inside