His eyes flare just as the teeth bite into his chest, grinding between ribs.
And then, just when I think it’s over, the pistol finally fires.
Someone screams.
The recoil jerks Papa’s body. I curse and let go of the chainsaw, whipping around as I hear Papa crashing to the floor. I have to see who got hit. Have to act fast.
My eyes cut to the one that matters most first.
Skylar.
Panic stabs through me like a hundred knives. But…
She’s alive. Standing tall even through the tears, breathing without choking on her own blood, only soaking in Grandpa’s.
Relief washes over me, filling me with light.
Even if it means my baby sister was the one who got shot, it’s okay.
As long as it’s not Skylar.
“You okay?” I fold her into my arms. I need to feel her before I take care of Reese.
“Y-Your sister.” Skylar sobs into my shirt, fingers clutching onto the fabric with blood-slick hands. “Reese. She was so young.”
I take a breath, let her go, and turn to look at my sister.
She’s sprawled on the floor, much like her dolls. A neat bullet hole pierces her forehead, blood trickling down one of her temples.
Her eyes have rolled back. Her chest isn’t moving.
There’s nothing I can do for her.
“What’s done is done,” I tell the room, the announcement final.
Yeah, I didn’t want Reese’s life to end. I could have taken her somewhere safe.
But I can live without Reese.
I’d die without Skylar.
“I’m here.” Skylar’s trying to sound and act brave. She puts a hand on my shoulder, warming me. Pulling me home. “It’s okay, Knox. I’m so sorry. It’s okay.”
“No need to be sorry.” I mean it. There’s no ache for Reese in me now.
A sense of victory warms me from the inside, a primal pride of having protected what’s mine.
When I turn to Skylar, her tears dry, her eyes wide and full of love, I become even more feral.
The threat is gone. Both of us helped eliminate it. We’re two people soaking in the blood of our enemies.
“Knox?” she whispers.
Her body is a magnet, drawing me to her. My cock is already hard, wanting her impaled on it.
No.
Not yet.
