Hunted (A Sinners Series Book 2) by Abi Ketner, Missy Kalicicki Read Free Book Online Page A

fighting for control.
    “Nothing’s worse than covering your sorry ass. Or have you forgotten how I covered for you? You’ve always been pathetic,” Cole says.
    “You’re gonna die, asshole. I already called Clayton. He’s gonna rain hell on you when he gets here.”
    I can’t take it. I rip the knife out of the dead guard’s head. Then, with a grunt, I chuck it at Cole’s opposition, just as his back turns toward me. It clatters to the floor. I missed.
    Both men jump at the weapon. I clench my fists, trying to think of my next move. But they’re wrestling on the ground, backed into a corner, and I don’t see how I can get there without getting in Cole’s way and jeopardizing his position. They wrangle for control, choking and throwing elbows. Cole stabs the guard in the chest. I hear his skin and muscles tear open when Cole drags the knife down his abdomen. I swallow the bile in my throat.
    The man continues wrestling Cole, all the while gagging on his own blood. He spits it out between his teeth as he grabs for Cole. The kitchen floor fills with smears of red before the guard falters. Cole pushes him away, surveys the scene. Blood splatter covers Cole’s face and clothes.
    “How’d they find us?” I rush to him, but he seems to be already plotting our next move, hardly looking at me.
    “Not now! We gotta get the hell out of here!” He runs to the front door and pushes his shoulder against it. Like that matters now.
    His chest heaves for air, and sweat pours down his forehead. He checks the rounds left in his gun. Once he’s satisfied, he presses his lips together and stares out the front window next to the door.
    I step over the bodies, retrieve my gun, and kneel below the front window, beside the broken lamp.
    “You’re freaking me out,” I say. I peek through a bullet hole in the window and see a guard run around the front of the house.
    “Promise me something,” Cole says.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I see the dark figure of a guard poised outside the front staircase. I keep my hand on the board, scanning for more while I listen to Cole.
    “I don’t like where you’re going with this … ”
    He slides down the wall so he’s on my level. “If I don’t make it out, promise me you’ll run.”
    My heart thunders in my ears.
    “No, I won’t do that,” I say. He shakes his head fast. “I won’t leave you.”
    “You have to survive. Promise me.” His eyes plead with me. I grit my teeth and then let out a big sigh. I’m exhausted and hurt and terrified.
    “I’m not going anywhere without you.”
    His mouth opens, but before he can say anything, the front door blasts open, throwing Cole back onto the floor.
    Another guard storms in.
    The new guard is taller than Cole, his shoulders broad like a wrestler. His muscles protrude from every inch of his body. His forearms are as thick as my neck and his neck as thick as my thigh. I realize it’s over. We can’t survive this. In his huge hands is an equally huge gun pointed at Cole’s head.
    “Don’t move,” I say, trying my best to sound tough.
    Cole looks like a deer in headlights.
    The guard sneers and says, “Drop it, honey.” He laughs, never taking his eyes off Cole. He places the metal of the gun to Cole’s temple. “You try anything, and I’ll blow him to oblivion.”
    “Clayton, never thought I’d see your ugly face again,” Cole says.
    I can’t think straight. I bite my lower lip to keep from screaming. I want to run.
    “Well then today’s your lucky day,” Clayton says. “You got to see me one last time before I kill you.”
    “Not if I kill you first,” Cole says.
    “I hope after all your heroic gestures you at least got in her pants.”
    Cole remains silent. I can almost feel the rage rolling off his skin.
    “You ignorant scumbag!” I shout, narrowing my eyes at Clayton. My stomach cramps, and I know that’s what they all must think—that Cole is only in it for the benefits. “If you even flinch, I’ll