Chapter hundred and forty eight

Dallas

I had one minute to come to realization that I'd just been shot. I had another minute to realize that the bullet never touched me.

I heard someone groaned loudly beside me. Forcing the searing pain to the back of my head, I looked at the figure sprawled beside me.

Jenna. A flash of what happened in the past minutes came rushing to me. Jenna shoved me hard on the floor and–

“You took the bullet for me?” I asked in disbelief.

I never thought I would say those words in my entire life, and definitely not to the woman who, no doubt, had hated me since the first day we met.

“Yes. Now let's keep moving before he catches up.” She tried to sit but groaned painfully.

I turned to see Ron walking towards us, his face twisted with rage. I whirled towards Jenna before I could think more of his expression and assessed the wound.

The bullet had hit her thigh and blood was gushing out nonstop. I quickly rushed to her and clasped my hand on the wound to stop the bleeding. It didn't work.

My eyes darted around for anything I could use to temporarily stop the bleeding. She had discarded her pantsuit and purse while we were still inside.

“Worry about my bleeding later. Let's go.” She urged and tried to stand again but staggered back.

I tore my clothes, the part that wasn't covered with dried blood, and wrapped it tightly around her thigh.

“This should stop the bleeding until we can get the bullet out.” I said.

Jenna scoffed.
“This is really nothing. I've survived worse. I can barely feel it. We need to go now, Dallas.” she said, her voice tinged with fear.

It was the first sign of emotion she'd let out evee since this evening began.

This time I didn't argue with her. I tucked the knives in my jeans while Jenna clutched her gun tightly. I draped her arm over my shoulder and hurled her up.

We had a few yards headstart so we started running. But we couldn't move fast enough due to Jenna's weight pressing on me. Ron was trailing behind us and he was faster.

“Didn't you bring a van? Where the hell is it?” I asked as I looked over my shoulder again.

Ron was very close to us now that I could see the wide grin on his face. He could definitely kill us both if he decides to shoot, but he didn't. I didn't ponder on why he didn't shoot.

“It's parked on the other side of the building. We came out through the wrong exit. And I think I lost my earbuds when I shoved you down earlier. I can't contact anyone.” she rushed her words.

The fear on her face was evident now. I didn't know why she turned on her father but one thing was certain, if Ron catches up with us, we were dead.

“Great, let's head into the woods then.” I said.

I didn't wait to hear her protests before hurling us towards the woods on the other side of the road. Jenna tried to keep up with my pace but her injured leg was slowing us both down. But I wasn't going to leave her even if it gave me a higher chance of getting away.

We had gotten well into the woods now. I couldn't see Ron anymore but he might be hiding behind a tree. There were so many of them here.

We continued running until we got to an open space. The bushes here were low and the trees very few. But we had gotten so farway from the building that we could no longer hear the gunshots.

“I can't go on anymore.” Jenna panted beside me.

I darted my gaze around again to be sure no one was around before I let her go. She tipped her head back, leaning against a tree.

I leaned beside her, panting heavily. I'd been held captive for days, broke out, then had to serve as a crutch for my injured half-sister. I was so tired.

“You should get going. He's right behind us. I know it. He would come straight for me. You can use the opportunity to get to the van and get out of here.” Jenna said between heavy breaths.

“I'm not leaving you.”

I was certain she would be dead if he catches up with her. The thought made my guts churned. I wasn't a fan of her and would be glad to be rid of her, but I didn't want her dead.

“Now is not the time to play hero. Get the hell out of here, Dallas.” She yelled at me.

“Look, I don't know why you're suddenly a good person, but that bullet was shot at me and you took it. We both know I don't like you, but I'm not so heartless that I'd leave you alone in the woods while you're injured. So stop trying to tell me to leave because I'm not.” I yelled back at her.

She glared at me, I glared right back. If she thinks her mean stare would scare me, she was sadly mistaken.

Her eyes softened and it seems like she was on the verge of tears.

“Please, Dallas, you have to go. You have no idea what he's capable of. He’ll kill you.” she shuddered in fear.

“Wouldn't be the first time someone has tried to kill me and yet I'm still here.” I shrugged.

She pressed her lips together, clearly fighting a smile. She seem to realize I wouldn't leave no matter what she says. She gave a reluctant nod.

“Alright, let's go. I know a safe place close by. Hopefully, he hasn't sent his men there.” She said.

I stood up and stretched out my hand for her to grab on to. I heard the sound of dried leaves crunching beneath someone's boots. I immediately palmed my knives and Jenna held her gun.

She leaned on the tree and forced herself up. She aimed he gun at the direction of the sound.

“What an interesting turn of events.” I recognized the chuckle before he stepped out of the shadows.

Jenna and I exchanged glances, her eyes mirroring my fear. Ron had caught up with us. His footsteps slowed, probably to unnerve us. It was certainly working.

“My two daughters, born and bred in different part of the world, were finally getting along. It would have been admirable if I didn't have to kill the both of you now.” He stepped out of the shadow, a cruel smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Jenna's grip on her gun tremble slightly. The movement didn't miss Ron as his smirk grew wider.

His eyes fell on her injured, cold and menacing before coming back to her face. The stare seem to do something to Jenna has she stumbled back a step.

Just what has he done to instill this much fear in her. I was suddenly glad I wasn't raised by him.

“Is this what you hoped for when you decided to betray me for her? That you discover some kindred spirits with her?” His question was directed at Jenna.

“Were you that afraid of becoming my heir even though you've earned your leadership?”

So that's what this is about. Jenna didn't want to become the leader of the Brothers. But how does that tie to me? And what does ‘earning her leadership’ even mean?

I tucked those questions to the back of my mind. I would have a lot of time to ask this if I get out of here alive.

Jenna simply backed away but kept her gaze on her father.

“Drop your gun.” He ordered.

And even though she stood poise, I saw her hand trembling to obey the command. I was so distracted by her movement that I didn't see Ron move towards me until his gun was pressed against my temple.

Jenna's gun clattered to the floor at that.
“I've dropped it. Let her go. She has nothing to do with this.” She said.

“Doesn't she? Is it not your growing interest in her that made you become so bored that you challenge me?” He thundered, trembling with rage.

Why the hell does he keep implying that? He'd said it earlier before the chaos started.

I'd only known Jenna for a few months. I could count the number of times we talked on one hand. Our interactions have been short and unpleasant. I've always loathed her, and she never hide her dislike for me either.

“The thing is, I've studied her too, but she's nothing like us. She might be a bit vicious and know her way with blades, but she doesn't have our kind of monster crawling beneath her skin. She is soft just like her mother, which was exactly what led to her death.”

I clamped my lips together, fighting against a retort as he mentioned my mother's death so casually. If I didn't have a gun pressed to my forehead, I would have pummeled him to the ground.

“You and me are monsters, Jenna. Always remember that. This girl wouldn't understand that because she's not like us.” He said.

“Stop talking about me like I'm not here!” I snarled. Maybe I really do have a death wish.

Jenna snapped her gaze at me, her message clear: “Shut the fuck up.”

“Pick up the gun, Jenna.” Ron ordered, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

With trembling arms, Jenna lowered herself and picked the gun up. She winced as she tried to balance her weight on her good leg.

“Shoot her!”

My head snapped towards Ron as he gave the command. He wanted her to kill me. I whirled my head towards Jenna. She wouldn't actually do that, right?

I was met with disappointment when I saw her holding the gun up with shaky hands. She was shaking badly now and tears streamed down her face.

Our eyes met for a brief second, a flicker of an emotion I couldn't quite decipher flashed through her eyes, then I heard a gunshot that shook my world.