August locked the door from the inside and snatched the pistol from Samir's hand. Before Brian could even register the movement, August fired a bullet straight into his upper arm.
He moved with frightening speed, clapping a tight hand over Brian's mouth to muffle the agonized scream.
Blinding pain surged through Brian's body, tears spilling down his cheeks as he wriggled desperately, pleading for his life through the prince's strong grip.
"No one is coming to save you," August said coldly. "Least of all the family using you as a puppet. It would be wise to give me a name."
August slowly withdrew his hand from the man's mouth, only to jam a thumb directly into the bleeding bullet wound.
"The... The Mercer family!" Brian gasped out, his body trembling from the agony.
August stepped back immediately, wiping the blood from his fingers. "Take him to the hidden infirmary," he ordered Samir. "I shall meet you later."
