Page 12 of Potent Desire 5

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Isabella

I’m stunned, like a deer in headlights, unable to put up any sort of fight in Oswald’s arms. His grip around my neck is cutting off all oxygen, only allowing the bare minimum to pass through; just enough to stay awake. The feeling of the cold metal against my head is a reminder of the terrible life we all live.

But Maddox is here. My savior. Ready to throw his own life away to rescue mine.

“Let her go,” Maddox demands. His gun is aimed steadily at us. He looks tired. Scared. Exactly how I feel.

A stream of tears runs down my cheeks, though it’s only gotten worse since Maddox’s entry. Oswald’s not playing around, and I can’t imagine any of this will end well – for anyone.

“Why is it that let her go is the first thing a superhero says in the movies? I mean, that’s why you’re saying it, right? Because you’ve seen it in the movies?” Oswald replies. “It’s probably the stupidest thing to say, really.”

Maddox doesn’t respond. The men who step to his side have their guns fixed on us as well. They’re more likely to shoot through me to kill Oswald than care about my safety.

“You can walk away from this unscathed,” Maddox says, after a while. “Let Isabella go. This hasn’t got anything to do with her.”

While he speaks, the look of fear on Maddox’s face washes away. It is replaced by the look of a predatory killer instinct. I can’t take my eyes off him. I can’t blink. The thought of dying terrifies me, but I’d rather do it looking into his eyes. My savior. My hero.

It’s my actions that led us here, and it’s my actions that might get him hurt – or worse. I want to apologize; to fight, to do anything else but be here now, now I see his heartache and suffering. Not all that long ago, I wanted to run. Now, all I can picture is having Maddox at my side, comforting me through the horrors of the last twenty-four hours.

But that is a deluded daydream in itself. One of us will die with Oswald Braddock.

“This hasn’t got anything to do with her? Nonsense. Maddox, you threw grenades into my home and killed good men to stand where you are. It’s time you learn there are consequences for your actions,” Oswald replies. “You should’ve taken the deal, son. The girl and early retirement for Hannibal’s crown. An easy switch.”

Again, Maddox finds no words to reply.

“Well, let’s not play games with each other, hey? We’re here to get this over with, so what’s your big play? Your grand show?” Oswald says.

“Isabella, I’m going to get you out of this, okay?” Maddox says. “He’s not going to hurt you.”

“From where I’m standing, that’s a pretty empty promise,” Oswald chimes in.

“Do you trust me, Isabella?” Maddox asks, looking at the ground behind me, only briefly. No doubt looking at Benjamin, squirming on the floor, so close to death.

A simple question, that has no simple answer. Do I trust Maddox? I do and I have, ever since he saved me from Vik. He knew what was right for me and I didn’t listen to him. Now, I have to give him that power once again.

At what cost? His life? Mine? Does it even matter anymore? This is all my fault, after all. If I’d just stayed, a little longer, a lot of this might’ve been brushed over.

I nod my head. “I do, Maddox.”

My words sound foreign, distant, and scared. I can’t pretend to be strong here, with a gun against my head. No matter how hard I try. But despite the fear, I do trust Maddox. More than anything in this world. He’s never led me astray, and I shouldn’t lose faith in him now.

“I don’t see how you can trust him. Especially with this,” Oswald says. He doesn’t give anyone a second to deliberate his words, tilting his wrist only slightly, before sending out a single bullet.

Maddox screams out before collapsing to the ground. He’s clutching his shoulder where the bullet hit, grumbling and groaning in pain. He’s lying flat, only his head tilted towards his father.

“That’s the problem with having something to lose,” Oswald says giddily.

“No,” I shout, trying to pull myself from Oswald’s grip, and reaching towards Maddox. But the arm clutching my throat is too strong, unbreakable. I barely move, and Oswald remains perfectly still.

“Leave him alone,” I cry. “I’m sorry, Maddox. I’m so sorry.”

I start sobbing, unable to control myself.

The men who joined Maddox, only tighten their grips around their weapons. They won’t fire with me in front; not without Maddox’s order. But they’re ready.”

You’re weak. Look at you now, boy. Lying on the ground, ready for death. Are you going to beg for your life? That’s the real question. And if you are, you better start.”