Darcy lunged from the shadows, driving a knife straight into his jugular.
“You got that right!” my bestie cried.
“Whoa!” I jumped straight in the air like a surprised cat.
Darcy withdrew the blade, snatching the time jar from Butterfly. “Never underestimate the might of this rodent.”
Butterfly twitched, slapping a hand over his wound. Black blood seeped through his fingers, streaming down his neck. He fell to his knees, trying to speak, but only blood passed his lips.
“That’s for hurting my best friend.” Darcy pushed him onto his side with his foot. “Bastard.”
I gaped at the dying Butterfly, and at my badarse bestie. What a turn out for the books.
Darcy grinned at me. “There. All better.”
Drifting in shock, I said, “Technically, you’re not a rodent anymore.”
He rolled his eyes. “You had to crap on it, didn’t you?”
I grabbed him into a bear hug. “How did you get here?”
Ugh. Here came my waterworks, spilling onto his shoulder.
“I told you I’d follow you.” He lifted his head, kissing me on the cheek. “How’s that? Better than a lick with a tiny tongue?”
I hugged him tighter. “I love you so much.”
“You too, Roman. You too.” He patted my back. “Where’s Xavier?”
My boyfriend’s name tore me out of the hug, the next word exploding like a volcano. “Xavier!”
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
He appeared, hurrying across the rubble. My device leaped into my throat, the relief like ten tidal waves at once.
He’s here. He’s here. He’s here.
He’s alive.
I remembered to breathe, running to meet him, tears streaming down my face.
He’s. Alive.
We collided, arms locking around each other in desperate longing. The way my insides turned upside down made me realize I loved him more than I’d loved any other man. And the hot tears gushing down my face only confirmed it.
I lifted my head to get a look at him. Black smears stained his pale complexion.
“What happened?” I wiped his demon tears, kissed his glossy lips.
He told me about killing Ismael, resting his forehead on mine.
“Shit. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” I reached up and stroked his hair, holding him against his new loss. “I’m so sorry.”
“It had to be done.” His hands found my waist. “As long as I have you, I can…” He didn’t finish the sentence.
