by Janie Marie
“No!” Kylie went to shoot again, but someone ripped the gun from her hands, then knocked her to the floor.
Trevor laughed, kicking her in the stomach. “Of course you’d be the one to kill her.”
“Stop fucking around,” Kevin growled, lifting Janie. “We have to move quickly.”
“Fine.” Trevor yanked Kylie up by her hair.
She fought against him, trying to do anything to get free. Her tears were never ending, and she screamed when she tripped over Luc’s body.
“I thought you were in love with me,” Trevor cooed, wrapping his hand around her throat and dragging her up. His big blue eyes danced with sick glee as he took in her tears. “How does it feel to have all my attention now?”
Kylie spat in his eye, which earned her a slap across the face.
He pulled her closer. “Don’t act like you’re better than me. I know all about you—you’re just as evil as we are.”
“I’m nothing like you.” She debated spitting on him again, but she couldn’t with the way he was squeezing her jaw.
Trevor’s smile was beautiful, like she imagined the Devil’s must be. “You want her to die. You want her to lose everything, just like I do. You haven’t changed. They’re just too stupid to see you’re the same crazy bitch you’ve always been.” He squeezed harder. “See it as a favor. Once I’m done with her, she’ll never carry his baby again.”
Her jaw throbbed, and her nose burned as she tried to hold back her tears. There had been days where she had wished this very thing—wished Janie had been infertile and ruined to the point no one recognized her. Anything that would have meant Janie could never have Logan’s baby. But now . . .
Kylie’s gaze caught sight of Janie. Kevin was roughly handling her as she cried for Luc, still occasionally trying to take weak swings at him. That girl had found out the enemy was close. She’d done what she felt needed to so everyone could be safe. Now Luc was dead while she was probably slowly bleeding to death. “If there was one thing I could wish for right now,” Kylie gritted, meeting Trevor’s evil stare, “it’s that they could have their daughter together. Even if it meant I lost him. If he could be happy with her, I’d give my life for him to have his family with her. So don’t tell me I haven’t changed for the better, you sick bastard. Ryder will find you. You’ll never escape him.”
He chuckled, his gaze falling to her lips. “You’re even more delusional than he said you were.”
“Hurry up,” Kevin hollered back to them as he lifted Janie again.
Trevor grunted, shoving Kylie’s face away. “Walk.”
She wanted to protest, but it didn’t seem like there were many exits in the building, and they were leading them outside.
A trail of blood caught her attention as she stumbled forward. It was coming from Janie. Her panic grew to new heights. Janie couldn’t die.
Kylie’s vision blurred as she stepped into a puddle of blood. It was a mixture of Janie’s and a guard’s. His throat had been slit. Another man’s head was turned in the wrong direction. At least Luc had given these guys hell. At first, she felt smug because Kevin seemed upset, kicking one body, muttering curses. His henchmen hadn’t stood a chance. But she gasped upon seeing a dead elderly man. He looked like he’d been dead for longer than the others, from a gunshot wound to his chest.
The fact he was wearing normal clothes confused her, but when she noticed a few framed photos with the same man and an elderly woman, then some of younger kids, she realized this was his home. “You killed this poor man.”
Trevor didn’t respond to her, but he grinned at Janie, her sorrow too great to go ignored. “That’s right, Little Janie, they’re all dying because of you.”
Kylie shook her head when Janie’s lips trembled. “Don’t listen to him, Janie. This isn’t your fault.”
Kevin sent her a dark look as he approached what appeared to be a front door. “There’s nowhere for you to run out here. You’ll never be found, so don’t try anything.”
“Luc found us just fine,” Kylie said, smiling at his glare.
“Yes, and because he cares more about having his queen to himself, he came alone.” Kevin shifted Janie in his arms, his gaze on the blood. “You’re more valuable alive, so behave and I’ll get you medical attention.”
Trevor whispered in Kylie’s ear, “Do you know who she is?”
Kylie smiled sadly. “She’s the heart of your death.”
Janie’s head snapped up from her comment, her teary eyes slowly igniting with fight.
It fed Kylie’s will to fight too. Luc had found them. Even if he was a bastard intent on keeping Janie for himself, he was smart. He would’ve told someone where he was going. Getting away now was their only hope. “Don’t let Luc’s death be in vain, Janie. None of them died because of you, but you can’t give up. He wanted you to live.”
Trevor fisted his hand in her hair, yanking her head. “Oh, she’ll live. She’ll give us all we need. But Kevin wants you dead, and your death will satisfy his bloodlust enough to keep her breathing. He just wants to kill you slowly while we get Maura and your mom.”
Icy wind blasted through the front door as Kevin opened it and exited, Janie still in his arms. It was nighttime, and the full moon sung down on the clearing around the log cabin. There was only a dirt road and trees. They would probably get lost and die of hypothermia, but it was better than being Kevin’s pawns.
Kylie started struggling in Trevor’s hold, her eyes still locked with Janie’s. “You are that girl, Janie. You’re not dead. He didn’t let you die. It doesn’t have to be like the stories. You can be the warrior I know you want to be.”
“Shut up.” Trevor shoved her down the steps, but he didn’t let go, even when she fell to her knees.
And Kylie didn’t look away from Janie. “You’re their Little Moon. Ryder will come. He’ll find you wherever you go. See?” She pointed at the moon. “It’s full. He’s staring at it—with Logan, his brothers, and your family. They have hope because it glows. It glows because of you.”
Trevor laughed, amused now even though Kylie could see a fire burning in Janie.
“Those boys believe in you,” she told her old rival. “Those innocent souls—Maura and Lorelei—they believe in the Little Moon.”
Now Kevin turned, snarling. “Shut your mouth. You don’t speak my wife’s and daughter’s names.”
Kylie smiled at him, her teeth chattering from the icy wind and the threat of death facing her. “They were never yours, Kevin. Lance Grimm is a better father to Maura than you ever were. And he makes Lorelei happy. You’re nothing compared to him. You’re nothing compared to any of them.”
A black SUV came into view. If they got them in there, there was less of a chance anyone with Luc’s whereabouts would ever find them.
Kylie darted her gaze back to Janie. “I believe in you, Janie.”
“I’ve had enough.” Kevin turned, raising a gun at Kylie. “I think I’ll pass on watching you suffer and satisfy myself with the blood of your Grimms instead.”
Janie’s hazel eyes flashed brightly, then she suddenly bit Kevin’s neck. Kevin shouted, dropping his gun as blood spurted between him and Janie, but the girl didn’t let go.
“What the fuck?” Trevor reached for his gun, but Kylie elbowed him as hard as she could in the solar plexus where Ryder had taught her to aim for.
It winded him, and she wasted no time turning to knee him in the groin. He cried out, falling to his knees.
Kylie sent another kick to his ribs before turning toward Janie. They had to get the keys and get out of there. Janie was still biting, though Kevin was now slamming her against the side of the SUV to get her off.
His gun was on the ground at his feet. Kylie ran to get it, but Trevor tackled her from behind.
She smacked the rocks hard, the impact brutal. She kicked, trying to crawl to the gun as Janie’s cries sounded. That meant Kevin had gotten her off.
Kylie had to get the gun. She reached f
or it, her fingertips brushing the cold metal just as Trevor got on her back. He grabbed her hair, smashing her face into the ground. Her nose gushed with blood. It went down her throat as a white light flashed behind her eyes.
“You stupid bitch.” Trevor pulled her head back, ready to smash her face again.
She tried to brace herself, but suddenly Trevor’s weight vanished.
Kylie figured out that Janie must’ve tackled Trevor, but he’d already overpowered her, and he was pulling out a knife.
Kylie blinked, hoping to see a glint of metal as she frantically patted the ground, searching for the gun. Her fingers brushed against something hard, and she scrambled closer, grabbing it.
But a boot smashed her fingers, and she was grabbed by the hair again.
“No!” Kylie punched out, not seeing what she was hitting.
“You will watch her suffer now,” Kevin snarled, hauling her up to her feet.
She scratched at his hands as she tried to break free, but he smacked her hard. She saw stars, and her knees buckled, but he kept her from falling.
Kevin pressed something against Kylie’s head, and she trembled, realizing it was a gun. “What’s the matter?” he asked as he forced her to look in Janie’s direction as Trevor beat her. “You watched my daughter get abused time after time, and you did nothing. Why can’t you enjoy watching her?”
“Janie,” she cried, and the images of Janie weakly defending herself from Trevor’s punches blurred. “Leave her alone!”
Trevor reared back, punching her hard on the cheek. Janie’s head fell to the side, her arms falling too.
“No!” Kylie tried to run, but Kevin held her still.
Trevor laughed, grabbing Janie’s bloody face, turning it upward. “There’s my Little Janie.” He held her face between his hands and leaned down, kissing her.
“Stop,” Kylie cried.
Janie’s knee shot up, nailing him in the nuts. Trevor grunted and fell on top of Janie.
“God dammit!” Kevin shoved Kylie away, making her fall right in front of Trevor.
She instantly shoved him off Janie. “It’s okay.”
Janie crawled over to Trevor as he gasped for breath. She showed no mercy, roaring in his face as she punched him again and again. She had picked up a rock and was probably breaking her fingers as she used it to hit Trevor.
Kylie went to stop her so they could run, but she remembered Kevin was behind her. With a gun. She spun around, freezing at the silent rage on his scratched face. He had the gun up, but he was looking between her and Janie.
Just as she moved to put herself between him and Janie, she heard Trevor yell and Janie went skidding across the ground.
“Fucking bitch.” Trevor got up, hunched over, but he was heading toward Janie. When he reached her, he kicked her in the ribs.
Janie cried out, but then she . . . laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Trevor kicked her again. “Are you so insane you like the pain now? I can show you real pain, bitch. Now tell me what’s so fucking funny?”
“A king protects his queen,” she rasped, rolling over and holding up Luc’s phone. It was flashing.
Kylie gasped as howls filled the air. Then she saw shadowy figures come closer.
“It’s over.”
She cried, never so happy to hear Ryder’s voice. Finally, she made out his shape, and she cried with joy upon seeing Logan right next to him, their brothers and Janie’s surrounding them. Beautiful and deadly. Hunters.
A gigantic man stepped closer to Trevor, his dark eyes ablaze as he stared at the boy she thought she used to love. “You disappoint me, boy.”
Trevor lowered his eyes, anger radiating off him in waves. “Father, did you only come to watch him finish me?”
A dark smirk spread over the man’s face. “That’s Wolf King to you. No son of mine betrays his family.”
Kylie couldn’t believe she was looking at Trevor’s dad. His hair was dark but buzzed close to his head, and he had a jagged scar down the left side of his face.
“She’s not family,” Trevor spat.
“Your uncle and cousins say otherwise.” The big man dropped his gaze to Janie, and he smiled. “Told you I could be a nice guy, didn’t I, Little Moon? Thank you for the chance.”
Kylie could barely catch her breath as she watched Trevor tightening his grip on the knife.
His father took a step toward him. “Move away from her. No weapons when you face him. You can at least die like a wolf, but you will not hold the name Grimm ever again.”
Trevor dropped his knife, his rage rising, but he was afraid of his father.
The man slowly turned his head, meeting Kevin’s glare. “The Big Bad Wolf, eh?”
Kevin snarled, still holding his gun up, and she realized he’d aimed it at Janie. Of course, he would aim at her. She was his only bet of getting out of here alive.
Ryder growled, his fists clenching as emerald fire burned in his eyes. “If you think you can shoot her before they blow your damn head off, you’re a fool.”
Kylie realized a circle of men in black surrounded them, all holding rifles aimed at Kevin. Mr. Prince and Sin were the only two without their masks on.
“Her boy is hungry,” Trevor’s dad said, his rough voice making Kylie shake.
She was too afraid to move, but she smiled, nearly bursting into tears when she realized Logan was staring only at her. “I’m okay,” she told him.
He smiled, nodding.
“So, this is how you do things?” Kevin asked Ryder. “Death himself stares me in the eye, prepared to make me face my past, but you let her obedient Wolves do your hunting?”
“You’re the one holding a gun.” Ryder held his arms out wide. “I’d be afraid to face me without it too.”
Janie whimpered, trying to get up. Logan took a step toward Janie, but he came up short when Kevin stopped him.
“Wouldn’t do that, boy.”
Logan growled and moved back.
Kevin smirked at Logan. “You know, my darling stepdaughter wished you could have one more chance with your little fairytale queen.” He lowered his gun.
Logan rushed to Janie’s side, his hand instantly pressing on the area around her side covered in blood. “I’ve got you, baby doll. You’re okay.”
Ryder’s eyes stayed locked on Kevin’s. Waiting.
“Now that makes more sense, doesn’t it?” Kevin said. “The hunter saves his Red Riding Hood, has his second chance, and Death carries out his duty. Now tell me, are you just as noble as Kylie to let them have that chance?”
Ryder said nothing, though his gaze fell to Logan pressing down on Janie’s gunshot wound.
“Hm, I guess I’ll help you decide.” Kevin aimed the gun at Kylie and shot.
“Hood,” Logan shouted.
She looked down. All she’d seen was a flash of white.
Just white.
Now there was red.
Just red.
Ryder’s roar was deafening, and she barely caught sight of him fighting Kevin as she fell to the ground.
“No, no, no.” Logan dropped to her side, crying. There was so much blood on his hands. “No, baby.” He pressed down on her stomach, and she cried out. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he said, frantic.
She couldn’t stop screaming as she caught glimpses of men rushing around. Ryder’s yells shook the air. He was so loud, like her very soul jolted with every roar he unleashed.
“She’s going into shock.” It was Bedivere, Janie’s brother. “Keep pressing down.”
Logan nodded, pressing even though it hurt. “Stay with me, Hood. Don’t leave me, baby.”
Kylie smiled, so happy to hear him call her by those terms of endearment. “Take care of Janie.”
His dark eyes met hers. “You’re gonna be fine.”
She caught sight of Ryder throwing Trevor against the SUV before he turned, attacking Kevin again. The armed men were letting him have absolute control, just there to keep things in order
. Then she spotted Janie being worked on by several men, her stepfather at her side with Lance. She hadn’t seen him. “He won’t let her die,” she whispered. “She’ll live.”
“So will you.” Logan glanced at Bedivere. The man was covered in her blood and he hollered to Than. “Get the helicopter here. They’re both bleeding out.”
Kylie felt numb. “It doesn’t hurt.”
Logan shook his head, his tears falling on her face. “Hood, please don’t leave me. I love you. I do, baby. I love you.”
She felt her lips curve up, and she hoped she was giving him a decent smile. “I love you too, man-boy.”
He cried, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. “Stay with me. You’re my Little Hood. Please.”
It was the best thing he could have said. “Love Janie the way you were meant to. It’s okay to love her. She’s your forever.”
He shook his head, the chaos around them quieting, though there was light and movement everywhere.
“Light,” she whispered, telling him what she was seeing. “Just light.”
“Hood,” he whispered. “No, baby.”
She saw a gold flame spinning in circles—dancing around a blue and gold sphere surrounded by three men. A second Earth. “She’s real, Logan. The goddess—I see her. She looks like Janie.”
“No, Hood. Please, stay with me. Look at me. See me.”
His gorgeous brown eyes came into view. So fierce. So beautiful. “You’re not the Big Bad Wolf, Logan. You’re her hero.”
She saw a man who looked an awful lot like Logan kissing the gold flame. “My Janie . . . My forever.” He smiled at her before turning to the two males. “Send me with your mistakes—you won’t make them again.” They touched his chest as emerald and sapphire fire filled the sky.
The larger male handed him a scythe. “Until it is time.”
“The reaper,” Kylie mumbled. “I get it now.”
She realized it was a battlefield like the one Logan had painted at the center, but this time she recognized the faces of the men. They were the same men standing around her now, except one.
The gold flame turned away from a man with blue eyes. He looked furious, dangerous, but the gold flame was at home in his arms. Her gaze suddenly locked with Kylie’s.
