She starts the engine and pulls out. Her eyes stay on the road. She doesn’t look at me once.
“Why?” she asks. “What’s this war between you two?”
I push the gun harder against her temple.
“Your lover is locked a few feet underground, being tortured by therealZeke Cermer while he wears his face.”
“No,” she says, a weak chuckle escaping her. “You’re lying.”
“Why would I lie,you dumb bitch?“ I say. “I have nothing to hide.”
“Why risk everything?” she asks. “No one even knows you left the hospital.”
She starts laughing, and a tear slips down her cheek.
“I was bluffing.”
I say nothing, I just stare out the window.
“Emily,” she whispers. She stops herself. “He took her.”
I nod.
“Did she know?” she asks quickly. “Was she helping you?”
I pull the gun back slightly.
“And get that gun off my face.”
“No,” I say, lowering it. “She had no idea.”
“And the bodies?” she asks. “That was all Zeke Cermer?”
I laugh.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.” I turn and look at her. “I’m still a cold-blooded killer.”
“Why her?” she asks. “Why risk everything for her?”
I clench my jaw and keep my eyes on the road.
“All these years, I was alone. I had no one.” I inhale slowly. “And when you finally find someone, you make sure no one takes what’s yours.”
She clears her throat and looks at me, then back at the road.
“If what you’re saying is true, how far are you willing to go for her?”
I click the safety off and raise the gun toward her again.
“To hell and back.” A smile pulls at my mouth. “Even if I have to kill the devil himself.”
She blinks twice and says nothing.
“Drive,” I say. “And make sure you’re heading to Rourke’s address.”
She nods. Sweat beads along her forehead. I see it catch the light.
She’s afraid.
