Secrets Collide (Bluegrass Brothers)

have gone after my daughter again. When I killed you the first time, they told me you begged for your life. So start begging, bitch. I want all the evidence you have and I want it now,” he yelled, standing in front of her.
    Gemma shook, not in pain, but in fright. The man was delusional and Sergei knew it. But it didn’t stop Sergei from hitting her. Gemma refused to beg. She lifted her chin a notch and stared at him straight in the eyes. “Never.” Gemma used all the energy she had left and launched herself at him. Her head connected with his chin and they fell to the floor in a heap. She managed to stay on top and was about to head-butt him when Sergei picked her up and slammed her into the chair.
    His boss stood up, blood dripping from where he bit his lip. “Kill her.”
    Gemma watched in horror as Sergei pulled out a long knife from behind his back and smiled. She didn’t think she was actually going to die until this moment. Anger had fueled her, but now it seemed death had caught up with her. She closed her eyes and pictured her sister. But it was Cy who was in her heart. A gun fired and Gemma looked to see where she was hit as the knife arced down to finish the job that the gun hadn't.
     
    Cy and Ahmed landed quietly on the roof. They unhooked their parachutes and slid to the attic window. Ahmed jimmied it loose and pushed it up. Then it was just a matter of finding Gemma. Ahmed took the second floor while Cy headed for the first.
    The diversion out front worked; he was able to make his way down the stairs, only having to disable two guards. He heard voices as he rounded his way down the steps. Gemma’s voice sounded strong and he was able to breathe for the first time since she had been taken. But then he heard the order to kill and that relief fled.
    Cy rushed down the stairs and into the large foyer. Gemma was sitting in a chair as Sergei had a knife raised above her. Cy didn’t take the time to aim and fired off a shot that barely missed Sergei, but it threw off Sergei's attempt at Gemma’s chest. He had cut her arm instead.
    “No. Kill them, kill them!” Liam O’Flannigan screamed to the guards as gunfire erupted outside. It seemed the others had arrived right on time. The guards were forced to divide their numbers.
    “You first,” was Ahmed’s cold response from behind them. Sergei turned slowly, forgetting Cy was there, to confront his oldest enemy.
    “Ahmed. I’ve been waiting to see you again.”
    “Likewise.” Ahmed pulled a large knife from his leg strap and the two started to circle each other. Cy took the opportunity and rushed to Gemma.
    “Are you okay? You’re bleeding.” He sliced her restraints free but that was all he could do before two other guards rushed into the room.  Cy turned and shot one before the other grabbed him from behind, sending Cy's gun sliding across the floor.
    Gemma shrieked as the man pushed her aside and grabbed Cy from behind. She was about to leap on him when Liam ran from the room. Torn between helping Cy and chasing after the man who ordered her sister's death caused her to freeze in place. But then Cy flipped the man over his back and sent her a wink.
    As she ran from the room, she passed a large fireplace and grabbed the poker, then gave chase to a back room. The chaos from the foyer was left behind as she stopped at the door to the study.
    “I’m glad you followed. I’ll kill you myself now,” Liam said from behind his desk.
    “Who are you that you needed to kill my sister because she found out about you?” Gemma asked as she walked slowly toward the massive desk.
    “I am God. I rule the world. I overthrow governments, wage war, surround myself with the wonders of the world—Rembrandt, Klimt, Renoir, Picasso, and jewels bigger than your hand. That’s who I am. Who are you?”
    “I’m a woman who loved her sister.” Gemma stalked forward raising the poker. She knew, even with her rage, she couldn’t kill him but she sure could take out a knee or two.
    “And did I mention I’m the man with all the guns?” Liam opened the top drawer and pulled out a gun. Gemma stopped in her tracks and swallowed hard.
    “Move,” Cy yelled.
    Gemma didn’t bother to ask why; she fell to the ground as two shots were fired and prayed that Cy was safe.
    “Gemma, you scared me so much.”
    Cy’s arms pulled her to him as she was lifted off the ground. She threw her arms around him and sobbed into his neck. She had almost died and he had come