I look at the other girls. We nod at each other in silent support. I take a breath, then step out into the open with my gun drawn.
I would have liked to fire first and ask questions later, but I can’t take the chance that Louise will get caught in the gunfire. That might have been a hole in our plan. I planned on saying something cool, like “Drop to the ground, you dirty pig!” I think I could’ve pulled it off, especially when I shot out his kneecaps.
I don’t get the chance, though. When I come out from around the door frame with my gun drawn, the first thing I see is Matthew standing there. He’s got a gun shoved up against Louise’s neck. He’s holding her by the hair of her head, pulling so her neck is at an awkward angle. Her shirt has been ripped open and her lip is bleeding. She doesn’t look that scared though. Instead, she looks majorly pissed. Her eyes are locked on mine. I glance briefly, but my eyes go to Matthew’s and I keep him in the sights on my gun. The other ladies behind me fan out, each with a gun drawn and aimed at the men. Mexican standoff. How great.
Fuck, I should have never let the women know what I wanted to do.
“What a surprise. It’s nice of you to come see me, Beth. I knew you missed me,” Matthew says in his cold voice that reminds me of a snake slithering in the winter. Cold, slimy, creepy and completely against the natural order of life. Wrong. That sums up Matthew. So completely wrong that nothing about him could ever be right. He deserves to die—for so many things.
“It looks like you were expecting me,” I tell him, not relaxing the hold on my gun at all.
“Well sis, I wasn’t, but can I share a small tidbit of advice, sister dear?” Him calling me sis makes my stomach turn. It’d be so easy to just shoot him between the eyes.
“By all means,” I invite, hoping I sound bored and in-control and betray none of the panic and sheer terror I’m feeling.
“Two-way radios went out with the last decade. They’re picked up so easily.”
Bastard.
“You’re smarter than I gave you credit for,” I tell him, again trying to sound bored. “I’ll remember that for next time, though it won’t matter for you, because you won’t survive this,” I tell him. God, please don’t let him survive this.
“You might want to look around. You’re outnumbered, Beth. My men are stronger and better-trained. And your friend here is about two seconds from never breathing again, unless you and your band of female counterparts drop your weapons.”
“I’m not so much concerned about your men. I came into this knowing I was probably going to die. After what you did to me, the risk was worth it. The only thing I need to accomplish to win here today is plant a bullet between your eyes, and I do plan on doing exactly that,” I tell him boldly, hoping against hope that I’m bluffing the shit out of him.
His eyes go hard at my words. He pulls tighter on Louise’s hair, causing her to gasp. My eyes go to hers, second-guessing myself. I know my hand is trembling. I watch as Louise’s hand goes up the arm that Matthew has wrapped around her, holding her in place, so he can hide behind her like the scared little coward he is. He’s real good at inflicting pain on anyone helpless. I know that lesson all too well. I’m about to put my gun down. If I give myself over to Matthew, there’s a chance the others can get away. Maybe not Katie, but we survived this idiot before and we can do it again, and even if not… Gabby is safe now. She’s the reason we got the courage up to kill grandfather in the first place.
Just as I start to lower my gun, I see Louise’s hand she’s counting with her fingers. She holds one up. One…
Are you sure? I ask without words, hoping she can read the message in my eyes. In response, I see a flash of silver in her hand. A knife, not big, but it might just be enough if she knows what she is doing. She holds up a second finger.
Two.
I tighten my hold back on my gun, strengthen my finger on the trigger.
Three.
“Now!” I shout just as Louise jabs the knife low on Matthew’s leg. He screams out and Louise gets clear enough to deliver a head-butt into the back of his face, blood smearing instantly. I hope she broke his fucking nose.
The pain must be severe enough, because he lets go of Louise and she dives for cover as we all fan out. Bullets start flying. I dive behind a recliner, shooting. Katie is somehow on the other side of me shooting out. I look around as best as I can since bullets are flying. As covers go, the chair sucks, but it’s better than being out in the open. I find Louise beside Candy; they’ve retreated back to the hallway, trying to get what cover they can from the small space along the door frame. Sacks, I’ve lost sight of, and as a bullet almost grazes me, I pull back in and look at Katie. I don’t see reassurance in her face.