Stolen by Truths (Truth or Lies 4)

Enzo looks right at me and says, “This ends, now.”

I brush my bloodied hair from my face with my left hand. My right shoulder is dislocated, my lungs are shattered, my shin is most likely broken. I’m a mess, but none of those injuries bother me. Not like how I know my heart will break again when Enzo leaves with Milo until the next game.

I need this to end. I need Enzo to be safe, but I won’t be the one to end it.

“Help me, Liesel. Help me. I can’t let Enzo win,” I whisper into her lap.

“He won’t win, not in the end,” Liesel says.

“But we will save him, right? In the end?” My voice is heavy as my eyes grow foggy. My body can’t handle too many more rounds of this.

“Yes, stingray, we will save him.” My eyes drift closed, and I don’t know if I was listening to Liesel’s voice or Zeke’s.

16

Enzo

I am not waiting. I will kill Milo Wallace. As soon as he gets me back to Italy. I will kill him.

I don’t care how many of his enemies will come for me. I will take down every single one. I don’t care who is second in command is, I’ll kill him too.

I’ll make Langston take Kai far away, where no one can find her. Maybe Alaska or Nebraska or something, no one would ever look for her there.

But I can’t let what Milo did go unpunished.

He could have killed Kai.

How stupid was I to think the only way to save her was to take a deal with this monster?

It was still a good plan. I got more information on the inside than I could ever get on the outside. I’m prepared to take Milo down now.

But in order for me to get to Milo, this game needs to end. And I have to win. I can’t risk Kai winning and Milo thinking she’s the better competitor. I can’t risk him trading me for her.

He will never touch her.

Archard hands Langston the knife to start the next round—the final round if I have it my way.

“End this,” I command Langston.

I need him to hurt me so much this round

Kai won’t have a choice but to surrender.

Langston twirls the knife, considering his move. He gives me a warning look as his lips tighten.

I don’t brace myself for the cut. I look over at Kai still lying on Liesel’s lap on the floor. Whatever pain I’m about to experience is for her. To save her.

And then Langston jabs the knife into my throat.

My eyes water at the sudden intrusion. Then Langston breaks the rules: he lets the knife slip and cuts my carotid artery.

The blood starts spirting, and I feel cold instantly.

I don’t have much time. Maybe only a few minutes before I pass out if I’m lucky and the cut isn’t too deep. Somehow I remain standing.

It was a risky move on Langston’s part. But I’d rather die and keep Kai safe, than stay alive to watch her be taken.

Although, if I die, Langston is the only person left to keep Kai safe.