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“It was his wish to have you sit on his throne, no?”

He nodded again.

Hesitantly, he stepped out from behind Nirah. “Drop the vest too.”

I pulled off my vest and tossed it to my gun across the room. “Your other gun, too.” He motioned the knife to my thigh holster.

Slowly, I pulled the gun out and tossed it aside, lifting both hands.

That seemed to please him but he stepped behind Nirah again when his eyes landed on my men surrounding him.

“Get back!” He bellowed.

“They don’t move without my command.”

“Then tell them to get back or you’ll watch her bleed.” He pressed the blade to her throat and my fingers curled into fists at my side.

I cast a glance over my shoulder and Cesar stepped back first, making everyone else follow.

“No one shoots.” I ordered, and it appeased him.

He stepped out from behind Nirah, and lowered his knife to the floor, his gun still pointed at me.

Steadily, he rose to his full height and approached me with hesitant steps.

I let the knife in my sleeve fall into my palm before I chucked it forward, the blade sinking into his throat.

He dropped his gun, his hands flying to his throat as he gurgled, dropping to his knees. Idiot.

I charged for Nirah but a single gunshot froze me, and everyone else, in place.

“No!” A high pitched screech filled the air.

My head snapped left to see… Fujimura’s wife. She held a gun to Samantha’s head as she wailed. “My son!” She sobbed and Samantha’s eyes squeezed shut as she gripped Fujimura’s wife’s forearm that was pressed to her throat.

“You killed him,” she wailed, the muzzle of her revolver pressing to Samantha’s temple.

Just then a bullet sliced through the air, hitting dead center of Mrs.. Fujimura’s forehead and her body collapsed to the floor. In unison our heads turned to see Moretti at the top of the stairs with a sniper rifle.

The room exhaled with relief and when I turned my attention to Nirah, Samantha was already untying her limp body.

“Nirah?” I crouched down in front of her, taking her face in my hands but she tried pulling away from me with weak, hooded eyes.

“No.” She breathed, unable to keep her eyes open. “Just let me go,” she whispered, her bottom lip quivering.

“Nirah, look at me.” I gripped her face tighter.

“Please—stop.” She sobbed, shaking her head and I met Samantha’s confused eyes. “Where’s my dad—he —he will…” she choked out, finally opening her eyes.

Nirah stared back at me with a profound sense of desperation. “Where’s my dad?” She whispered. “I want my dad.” Her face twisted in pain. “He’ll save me, won’t he?” Her head lolled forward and I tilted her face up.

“Open your eyes, Nirah, look at me.” I tightened my hold, tears streaming down her face.

“Don’t hurt me.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Where’s my dad—I want my dad.” She finally opened her eyes except… she didn’t recognize me. And I didn’t recognize her either. Those weren’t the brown eyes that stared back at me with admiration. Not even the ones that carried rage for me.

“Please, don’t hurt me.” She shook her head, eyes lit with fear and panic and suddenly, it seemed too familiar. “Please,” she pleaded, the hurt in her voice causing me discomfort.

Nereus rushed to my side, and when she saw him, the light reappeared.