Force (The Disciples 5)

“Ah, Julianna. Is Gia coming? It’s been years since I’ve seen her.” Leah’s eyes are kind, but I get the feeling Eve has told her everything that’s going on.

“She is. You know, I should call her. She was supposed to be here by now.” I glance around for my purse and notice Cindy standing there, her skirt so short, I almost blush. Her low-cut pink top showcases her incredible breasts.

“About time, beotch.” She dramatically sashays over to Antoinette who has just arrived, carrying a jumbo stuffed giraffe through the door.

“Thanks, Dewey. There’s another one in the back of my car.” She blows a piece of hair out of her face and sets the giraffe down in the middle of the room.

“God. I’m so sorry I’m late, but the twins freaked out because they couldn’t come. It was a whole ordeal. Then they wanted the giraffes.” She tosses her purse on the table, giving Cindy a quick hug. Antoinette is like a thin Marilyn Monroe—she has the beauty mark and everything.

“You’re getting as bad as Gia.” Charlie gets up, smiling at the giraffe. “But I love this.” She wraps her arms around Antoinette as they sway back and forth.

“Get over here, beautiful.” Leah opens her arms to hug Antoinette. “How’s that gorgeous man of yours?”

Antoinette laughs. “Grumpy as ever.”

I look over at Cindy who has moved to sit down with Doug and Dolly, her eyes purposely avoiding mine as if she can’t see me and I don’t exist.

Suddenly it’s so clear, I can’t believe I’m only getting it now. This is what Cindy loves. These people are her family. It’s not so much Ryder as it is this life.

She’s not a threat to me, but I’m a threat to her, or at least that’s what she’s chosen to think.

My eyes zoom around the room. This is a tribe. And she’s not about to let go of it.

“Oh my God, Julianna.” Antoinette pulls me out of my head. She stares at me, then gives me a hug. “I love your jacket.” She winks at me.

Eve walks in carrying two glasses of champagne, handing one to me and the other to Antoinette.

“You need alcohol,” she says before I can say no.

“Actually, I need to use the bathroom.” I walk over to grab my purse so I can call Gia.

She raises an eyebrow at me, but points with her champagne glass toward the hallway. “Second door to the right.”

I make my way down the white, airy hallway and admire all the family photos. Eve and Blade make beautiful babies. I have to fight that ache I seem to get whenever I look at happy families lately.

I’ve never wanted kids. I’ve always thought the world has enough. But lately, I can’t help but think maybe one day?

After closing the bathroom door, I rest against it for a second. Now I understand why everyone tells me to ignore Cindy. They love her. Despite knowing that she’s struggling, they support who they love.

Loyalty.

That’s what the Disciples are; it’s what defines them. I push off the door and go to splash cool water on my face, but a loud noise makes me jump.

“Jesus.” Another loud pop and screaming follows. My heart skips and I grab ahold of the sink.

“Oh my God.” I snatch my purse and all I can hear is screaming and “Fuck you.” I open the door and reach into my purse.

“Which one of you whores is Eve?”

I can’t see how many are in here, but I can see that Dewey is slumped over, bleeding next to the door. Someone is hysterically screaming and the voice yells to shut up. The guy has an accent.

Filled with adrenaline, I take a deep breath and pull out the Glock Ryder gave me years ago.

It’s been my security, my tie to him.

“You never take this out unless you’re gonna use it. What’s rule number one?”

“Shoot to kill.”

“Good girl, now do it.”

I slide close to the wall. Peeking over, I see all of them lined up and the madman screaming in Russian at them, waving his gun. At last, he stops.

“You took everything from me, my money, my life, now I take from you.” He looks at the camera and smiles. “Fuck you, Blade McCormick. They’re dead because of you.” He grabs Eve by the base of her hair and Doug goes to attack him.

Shoot to kill. Shoot now.

One.

Two.

And I pull the trigger.

One shot in the back of the head. The world is suddenly in slow motion. My eyes dart around, and I take everything in.

Every noise, movement, smell. In seconds, moments, my world has lost all color as if the lights have dimmed. The would-be murderer falls to his knees and looks up at me.

I squeeze the trigger and he’s gone, slumping to his side. I take a breath, looking at my hands.