"They don’t just kill random people," she continued. "They target powerful figures. People who threaten them."
My hands turned ice cold.
Fay’s voice dropped even lower. "And Mia… your father is next on their list."
The phone nearly slipped from my grip.
Before I could process what she had just said, I felt it.
The unmistakable sensation of cold metal pressing against my temple.
My entire body froze.
A deep, steady voice whispered from behind me.
"Why are you investigating me, Britney?"
Duke.
The gun in his hand was pressed firmly against the side of my head.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Duke, I don’t—"
"Don’t lie to me." His voice was eerily calm. "Who are you talking to?"
My heart pounded against my ribs.
The click of the gun’s safety disengaging sent a sickening wave of dread through me.
"Tell me the truth," Duke murmured, his lips inches from my ear. "Right now."
Seconds stretched into eternity.
Then, in a desperate move, I blurted out the only thing that could save me.
"I’m pregnant."
Everything stopped.
Duke’s grip loosened. His breath hitched.
Slowly, I turned to face him, my pulse hammering. "I’m pregnant, Duke. How could I not be Britney?"
Silence.