He looks at me and then at the gun. I quirk a brow.Really, motherfucker? You think you’re going to be faster than I am.
“You went after the wrong fucking person,” I grunt.
His hand is still hovering above the gun. “Fuck you, August. You took what’s mine,” he spits out.
“Yeah? And what’s that, exactly?”
“You stole my life. You’re living my life. It was supposed to be me. It was my idea. The drugs, the club. You stole my fucking life, asshole,” he says.
“You’re a fucking moron. You want my kingdom?” I swing my free arm out to the side. “Take it.”
The second his hand reaches for the gun, I shift my aim and pull the trigger. A bullet goes right through his wrist, and he screams.
“Did she scream? When you stabbed her, did she fucking scream out in pain?” I ask, taking a step closer to him.
“Fucking bitch was only worried about you,” he hisses out. “She didn’t care what I did to her.”
My hand moves, the barrel of the gun now aimed at his head. “See you in hell, motherfucker.” I pull the trigger, three times, because I want to make sure this asshole is really fucking dead before walking out as quickly as I’d entered.
I look up and down the street. I don’t even care if anyone sees me. No one is going to say shit. Not in this neighborhood.
I’m about five minutes away from the hospital when my phone rings.
“She’s awake and she’s screaming for you, asshole,” Jade’s voice spits out through the phone, and then I hear her.Hayley.
I slam my foot down on the pedal. I need to get back to the hospital now. I didn’t want her to wake up without me being right there.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
It’s Christmas morning. I was able to go home last night. Both Jade and Riley came with me to August’s penthouse. I guess it’sourpenthouse?
He is insistent on calling itour home. It took some convincing to get Jade to agree to come. In the end, I told her that he made me happier than I’ve ever been. And she caved. She’s still not August’s number-one fan, but that’s okay, because that spots already taken by me. And Jade? She’s always going to be my best friend.
“Morning.” August walks into the bedroom holding a mug.
“Is that coffee?” I ask.
“It is.”
“Oh, thank god! I think I love you.” I take the cup from his hand, and August’s body freezes.
“You think? I know I love you, Hayley Bell.” He sits next to me on the bed. My heart hammers in my chest.
“You shouldn’t tell me that, August,” I warn him.
“Why not?”
“Because what if hearing it makes me… I don’t know… too clingy?” I ask him.
I’m so stressed about reverting to my old stalkerish behaviors. August, however, seems to welcome my level of crazy.
“Cling away. I don’t care.” He leans down and kisses me briefly. “Merry Christmas,” he says, handing me a small box.
“Um?” I don’t know what to say. My hands shake as I open the box. Somewhat relieved and slightly disappointed when it’s not a ring inside. “A key?” I have no idea what it’s for.
“It’s symbolic. You have the key to my heart. The key to our home. The key to our future,” he explains.
That is way better than a ring.
