“It’s not time for sleep yet. Tell me where she is!” I yell, grabbing hold of his wounded arm and squeezing. The wails of pain coming out of him don’t sound human.
Rhett’s voice breaks through the red haze filling my vision. “Atlas.” He looks at me, then nods his head toward the window. Snow is starting to fall in heavy flakes.
Fuck.
“Tell me where she is, you miserable piece of shit, and I’ll let you go.”
“You’re lying,” he cries.
“I’ll set you free, but only if you tell me where she is,now. No more fucking around.” I use his shirt to wipe the blood off the blade in my hand. My hand is coated in it, and it’s making the handle sticky.
“She’s at Bea’s. In the basement,” he whispers.
“And where is Bea’s house?” I ask, letting go of his arm.
Aidan rattles off an address that’s not far from here. If we leave now, I can get to her before the snow starts to set in.
“Thanks, Aidan. You’ve been the worst,” I scoff, then plunge the knife into his chest, straight into his heart.
Blood runs in a dark river, as his eyes widen in shock. I vaguely hear Rhett swearing behind me, and then the door opening and closing. Keeping my eyes on Aidan the whole time, I yank his hair back so he’s looking at me as he takes his last breath. He touched my heart and soul, so now I’m destroying his.
“Don’t worry. Keep an eye out for Bea when you get where you’re going. She will be joining you soon,” I promise as I watch the light leave his eyes.
Looking around the room, I grab a towel and quickly clean off my hands. Aidan’s now lifeless body is bloody and bruised, stuck to the chair. I expect to feel remorse for taking another life, but all I feel is relief—one less obstacle standing between Cora and me.
Heading out the door, I call Seth. After a few rings, he picks up. “Exactly how secure is your place?”
After a beat, Seth responds, “What’d you do?”
“What I had to,” I answer truthfully. If he really wants to know, I can give him the gruesome details later.
“I’ll take care of it,” he promises.
“You sure?”
“Positive. I have a local farmer friend. Good guy. Doesn’t like guys who hurt women or kids.” Nodding, even though he can’t see me, I climb into my car and start the engine. Rhett is sitting in the car already, staring at the workshop I just came out of. Looking out at the snow-covered road, I check with him about how things are going.
“Noah’s good. Eating dinner right now with Emma and Kash.”
“Good. I’ll be in touch.” I disconnect the call. Pulling onto the road, I pray I can make it to Cora in time.
“You good?” I ask, driving as fast as I can in the current conditions.
“Dude. You fucking killed him.” He says it softly, like he doesn’t believe his own words.
“He threatened and hurt Cora. I’d do it again and again and again. You don’t get it.”
“I think I’m starting to,” he admits, looking out the window. “I called the police and gave them the address.”
Quiet falls over the car as we head toward the address Aidan gave us. I don’t know if the cops will make it there before me, but I’m going to ensure Bea doesn’t get away with this. She will pay just like Aidan did. Hell has plenty of room for one more.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Cora
Bea’s been gone for a little while, and it’s getting harder to stay awake. I know I shouldn’t fall asleep, but my head still aches, and I just want to sleep a bit. I’m not completely sure, but this doesn’t look like Bea’s original house. Of course, I don’t exactly keep tabs on her.
Fighting to stay awake, I jolt when I hear the door opening. Shit.Scrambling to lie down, I move like I’m asleep. Maybe if she thinks I’m sleeping, I can get her to come close enough to me to reach her.
