“You’re pathetic!” She cackled. “I can’t believe you fell for that. Please, Cian, please,” she mimicked herself. “I mean, how stupid can you be? Everything was right there in front of you. Plain as day.”
I snarl, returning to the present. To where Devlin holds my wife against him like a doll. She struggles, but her much smaller frame leaves her at a disadvantage. If she’s even trying to escape him. Jury’s still out on that.
Who do I believe?
He calls hermo stór.She struggles and begs just like Fiona did all those years ago. I swear I even smell her perfume, vanilla and ylang-ylang.
My chest constricts, so tight it hurts. The memory of burning flesh wafts through the air, I can still smell it mingled with Fiona’s perfume. My skin prickles with the sensation of ants crawling all over my body. A splitting headache spreads from behind my eyes as I try to detangle past from present, Fiona from Ravenna, and Shawn from Devlin.
My heartbeat pounds in my chest. I can’t do this again. It’s a trap.
No way in hell can I believe either of them. Not him. Not her.
Last time, after escaping them and their torture chamber, I shot Shawn in the chest. Then, slowly, making it last, I strangled Fiona to death. Wolfe disposed of their bodies.
He never pressed for details of what happened. Instead, he immediately got me to a doctor who cared for my infected wounds, stitched me up, and set me on the path to physically healing. My psyche was, and still is, a different story. The nightmares plagued me for years, coming back again and again.
I don’t want a repeat of the past. This time, I won’t let it happen. I’ll nip this fucked up shit in the bud.
I refuse to repeat my past mistakes.
Taking aim, I slowly, intentionally, pull the trigger.
CHAPTER 54
Ravenna
Behind me, Devlin’s body stiffens with expectation. Cian’s expression darkens. He’s more than angry, he’s murderous. I see it plainly in his pale blue eyes. All of his softer emotions vanish until he’s nothing left but iron and steel. Then suddenly he shows no feeling at all.
In a low voice, Devlin speaks into my ear, “It’s finally over. I’m sorry I had to do this to you.” He releases a contented sigh.
BANG!
One gunshot, the single bullet whizzes past my ear, finding its mark in Devlin’s chest. His body jerks from the impact. He releases me and staggers backward until he bumps the desk.
Even though he knew it was coming, his expression reflects shock. He touches his chest, then studies his bloody fingers. Confusion mars his face before it turns a ghostly shade of white. Mouth slack, he sinks to the floor. His eyes close.
Relief crashes through me. It’s over. Finally. Cian saw reason and rescued me. He took my side, and I regret ever doubting him.
Facing him, my heart beating out of my chest. I have every intention of throwing myself into his arms. But I take one look at his cold gaze, at the gun pointed at me, and my lips part.
“Cian?” I don’t understand why he’s aiming that weapon at me. What’s going on?
He shakes his head. The movement’s harsh. It hits me like a slap to my face.
He doesn’t trust me. He didn’t take my side.
Disbelief rattles through me. What more does he want? How can I possibly prove myself to him?
Cian stalks forward, and I startle. I fight the instinct to step back, because I refuse to fear my husband. He’d never hurt me.
He stops, pressing the gun to my temple. “We’re over. I don’t ever want to see you again. If you come near me, I’ll blow your fucking brains out.”
All words stick in my throat as I tremble beneath his wrath. I squeeze my eyes shut, half expecting him to shoot me now.
But he would never hurt me.
Heavy footsteps leave the room. When I open my eyes, he’s gone.
