Sleeping With the Enemy

Sequel: Chapter Sixteen

Anthony

The closer we got to the back shed, the harder my heart pounded. Brandon wouldn't be happy to see that Gemma tagged along, and honestly, I wasn't either.

I was falling in love with Gemma. I thought she was brilliant and resourceful, and I fully respected her intentions to lead this organization someday. She was capable of being an incredible leader—someday. But that day wasn't today. Once she put in the work, she'd get there, but in the mean time, this wasn't the place for her. She wasn't ready.

Even when she took over for her father, this wouldn't be in her realm. This kind of thing was what enforcers were for. The violence. The dirty work. The retribution. Gemma would be calling the shots, but she would never be directly involved in torturing and abuse. It wasn't who she was, and that wouldn't change when she took over.

Tonight was about serving justice and making sure that the men who came after her paid for what they'd done. It would be brutal and vicious, and she and I both knew she wanted no part in that. But she was too damn stubborn to listen to any kind of reasoning, and I didn't want to argue with her, anyway. Once her mind was set, there was no stopping her, even if I wanted to.

Gemma was trying to prove herself. After the shooting, she was shaken up, and it was eating at her. Insisting on coming along and inserting herself in the not so pretty side of things was her way of making up for it—although no one thought she needed to make up for anything because herself. The only pressure she had on her was from her own mind, and sometimes that was the very worst.

The roaring of power tools interrupted the peaceful sky as we got closer. I pretended not to notice the way Gemma stayed a step or to behind me, almost shielding herself with my body. It was ridiculous she was putting herself through this. Hopefully Brandon wouldn't be as scared to say no to his daughter as I was, and put a stop to the entire thing.

I reached for the handle of the door, shouldering it open and stepping int the dimly lit building. The scent of metallic blood hung in the air like a heavy cloud, so strong that it was hard to breathe. About thirty yards away, a man hung in the center of the room by restraints, already bloody and limp. There was a pile toward the back that was covered with a tarp that I assumed were the other men, already dead. I could only hope Gemma didn't see that carnage. What was in front of us was enough.

Brandon and Alex were a few feet away, hovering over a table. They'd heard us come in, but were occupied with something.

"Bought time." Alex said. "We about ran out of victims."

When I didn't immediately answer, he glanced up, dropping the tool he was holding and letting it clamor to the ground the second he saw Gemma.

The noise caught Brandon's attention, and when he looked our way, I froze.

Brandon clenched his jaw, letting out a heavy sigh as he tried to keep his anger at bay. I was already envisioning him knocking me out when he took a step toward us. Of all the dumb things I'd done, bringing the Don's daughter with me to torture a captive probably topped the list.

"You decided to join us." His eyes burned into Gemma, not even glancing at me.

Gemma nodded, not the least bit discouraged. "I'm the one they want. And soon, this will all be my responsibility, so I felt like I should be here."

"And you agreed?" He arched his eyebrow at me.

"Uh, well..."

"No. He didn't." Gemma jumped in. "He told me not to come, but I didn't listen. I made Anthony bring me, and I threatened to allow him if he wouldn't. If you're going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me."