Double or Nothing by Kristen Painter

Author:Kristen Painter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kristen Painter
Published: 2014-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

The abandoned theater was a fitting location for Gage’s final showdown with Blackwell since the man had been the author behind the drama driving Gage all these long years.

He hung in the shadows behind some discarded scenery panels. Every fiber of his being was on edge in anticipation of Blackwell’s arrival. There was too much at stake, too many ways it could all go wrong for him to be anything but a raw nerve.

The Alchemist stood beside him, now very much subdued and willing to be an accomplice to their game in exchange for his life. Which might still be forfeit if things didn’t go the way he’d promised.

Behind Gage, Minka shifted and exhaled a ragged breath. If she was nervous, he understood. What they were about to attempt was one of the riskiest things they’d ever done together. And that was saying something.

The squeal of unused hinges announced someone had entered the building. It had to be Blackwell. Gage clenched his hands, his desire for revenge a palpable thing. The restraints binding his wrists bit into his flesh, and the subtle pain allowed him to focus. They’d have one shot at this.

One.

Blackwell strode into the theater, walking down the center aisle like he was the king of the world. The years hadn’t changed him one bit. Arrogant bastard. He put his hands on his hips. “Show yourself, human. I know you’re here. I can smell you.”

The Alchemist stumbled forward, pulling Gage and Minka along with him. “I’m here.”

Blackwell’s gaze went to Gage, and his thin lips widened in a triumphant smile. “Yes, you are. And with my present.” Then he shifted to Minka. “What’s the woman doing here?”

The Alchemist scratched at his head nervously. “They wouldn’t kill each other. Too much in love.” He made a gagging sound. “I thought you might appreciate being able to do to her what this one couldn’t.”

Minka raised her zip-tied hands to give him the finger. “Screw you, you pasty bloodsucker.”

“Feisty, isn’t she?” Blackwell’s smile took on an especially wicked intent. “Well, this is a pleasure I hadn’t counted on. And you don’t mind not killing her yourself?” He looked askance at the Alchemist. “I thought you wanted revenge for your wife’s death at the hands of these two.”

The Alchemist shrugged. “I’ll still be getting that, even if you’re the one who kills her.”

Blackwell nodded. “That you will.”

“You lay a hand on me and you’ll be sorry,” Minka spat.

Gage let his head sag to his chest, playing the part of the drugged prisoner but also attempting to hide his face in case the smile he was fighting won. Minka was enjoying this, he could tell. Didn’t take the danger out of the situation, but at least she kept things interesting.

Blackwell cleared his throat. “You’ve drugged him, as per our agreement.”

“Yes.” The Alchemist poked Gage. “He’s on a cocktail of one of my partial paralytics with a little downer thrown in for good measure. Don’t expect a lot out of him in the way of reaction.

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