A Player for A Princess

Looking ahead, I see it’s a dead end. Either he’s still here or he was able to escape through the back door of a restaurant. I take careful steps. My arms are up as I turn quickly around every dumpster and box where he could be lurking.

“Don’t know when to quit, do you, MacCallum.” I jump back at the sound of his voice, loud behind a stack of crates. We’re facing each other, and I do a quick blink to ensure it’s only us.

We’re alone here.

“I’ll quit when I’ve finished you,” I say, my voice hoarse from running.

“Murdering a prime minister is a capital offense. You’ll hang for it.”

“Yes, and attempted murder of a king is punishable by death. It evens out.”

He reaches up to remove the skull mask. His dark hair is greased back, and the thin moustache quirks over his lips. “Let’s see what you’ve got, boy.”

His fists rise, and while I know Freddie will use the GPS on my smart watch to find us, I’m happy to spend the time it takes them to get here beating his ass.

A lunge forward, and he attempts a swipe at my jaw. I dodge and plant a solid right jab in his mouth. A satisfying crunch and a grunt of pain from Paxton gives me more pleasure than I expected it would.

“What did you think would happen coming here tonight?” I say, circling him, watching the line of blood slowly trickle down his chin.

“Just reminding your fiancée who holds the cards in this town.” His dark eyes glitter, and my throat tightens.

“Don’t you ever speak to Zelda. Don’t you ever go near her.” I’m breathing fast, rage clouding my judgment.

“I don’t have to,” he says with a sinister grin. “My men are in every part of this country.”

Which is why we won’t be living here, I think. “They’ll scatter without a leader,” I say, moving closer. I want another shot at this asshole.

“Perhaps,” he says, not taking his eyes off me. “Still, I have other ways of inspiring your cooperation. A royal baby is an incredibly powerful chess piece.”

The snarl rips through my throat as I lunge at him. I’m not in control at this point, and I’m finished reasoning with a thug. Zelda’s battered face, her tears, and her severed finger are in my mind. Seth’s mutilated body… our baby girl.

My arms are around his neck, and I grip his face in my hands. In one swift move, I’m ready to finish him, but he lunges hard, throwing his body weight against me. I have him in my grip. His arm moves, punching me strong in the torso just as I make the twist, snapping his neck, ending his life.

He drops to the pavement in a dead heap, but I stagger back, falling heavy against the brick wall. Pain rips through my side, forcing a loud curse from my throat. When I look down, I see the twisted handle of a knife extending from my side at the level of my waist.

With every breath the pain slices deeper. A river of dark red blood soaks my white breeches. I’m bleeding fast.

“Fuck!” I groan as my knees give way, and I slide to sitting against the wall.

I’m hidden behind the stack of crates, and I’m gasping for breath. Fatigue sweeps over me as with every heartbeat another gush of blood pumps from my body.

I fumble with my sleeve, doing my best to pull the cuff back. I’ve got to text Freddie. I’ve got to tell them where I am. I can’t wait for them to find me. I’m running out of time. Searching with my fingers, a flash of panic grips me. My smart watch is gon

e. I must have lost it when my arm caught on that grate. They’ll track the GPS, but it’s not near enough to this alley.

Blackness closes in, starting from the edges of my vision. I’m cold, and my fingers aren’t following my brain’s instructions. I try to shout when the noise of voices echoes at the mouth of the corridor, but all I get out is a whispered “Freddie…”

I look across the way to Wade Paxton’s dead body. Fighting with everything in me I try to hold on.

But I’m not stronger than this.

The clock is counting down faster.

My eyes won’t stay open.

I’m bleeding out.

After everything we’ve survived, all we’ve been through, with my last conscious breath I call to her.