I tap my finger onto the steering wheel and lean my head back on the cushion. “Someone hurt Autumn, and I had to make them pay, and I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know how I’m going to tell her what I did. How will she look at me? Her parents were murderers, and I did the exact same thing her parents did. Which was what bothered her about her parents. Who they were.”
“Wow, I wouldn’t have ever expected her family was dysfunctional because of the way she carries herself.” He pauses for a beat or two. “I think she would understand.”
I cock my eyebrow. “What if she doesn’t?”
“Then she’s not the right one for you.”
His words feel like a sledgehammer to my gut. The thought of living without Autumn tears me up inside. Maybe this is the universe teaching me a lesson. I don’t know. Honestly, after killing him, I feel no remorse. I don’t have any feelings for it. Autumn deserves so much more than I can give her. She deserves someone who can provide her a normal life and not someone who has to live in the shadows. If she leaves me, then I deserve it. I deserve whatever she throws at me.
Autumn
When I wake up, Viper is not in bed. I look at the clock on the nightstand; it’s nearly three in the morning.
I feel a lot better having gotten some sleep. My mind is still reeling at how my life has changed so drastically and how I’m going to have to find a new job. I want to wash away the guilt that I feel for what happened to me, so I’m never going to put myself in that predicament ever again.
When I’m in the bathroom, I turn on the shower, then step in and wash away the anger and bitterness and the shakiness in my soul. Once I’m finished scrubbing my body raw, I wrap a thick towel around myself and slide on my house slippers before going straight to the kitchen to find something to eat. Chef Louis went home earlier, so I grab some leftover salmon and warm it up in the microwave. I stride to the bedroom with my plate and sit on the fluffy bed to stuff my face. My phone pings with a notification, so I grab it from the blanket and see I have numerous text messages from Raven. Clicking on the envelope icon, I read.
The bastard got what he deserved. Justice was served.
What the hell is she talking about?
Then I receive a message from Shaun.
Have you heard about Arthur? He was shot multiple times and his wife found him in a pool of his blood. I feel so bad for his wife, the paramedics had to rush her to the hospital because she had a heart attack.
Mr. Arthur is dead? Who would do such a horrible thing? My stomach feels queasy, and I throw up my food onto the blanket. Placing my plate onto the nightstand, I gather my blanket and head to the laundry room, stuffing it into the washing machine. I pour detergent into it, close the lid, and tap the Start button.
As I pass the glass balcony doors, I see Viper through the window, leaning against the railing as he glances over the city. He’s wearing his killing suit. When did he get home, and how long has he been standing out here? Something is off. His shoulders sag as he holds a bottle of Jack Daniel’s by its neck.
When I slide the glass door open, our eyes meet, and his face scrunches up in pain.
“Have you heard about Mr. Arthur?”
He doesn’t respond. Why do I have a feeling that he has something to do with his death. I crinkle my nose.
“Where were you while I was asleep?”
His gaze drops to mine, and I already know where he was. I already know what happened. He’s a killer. Mr. Arthur never had enemies that would kill him. He wanted a life after his wife’s death. He wanted to start his life again. He’d told me a few times. He was going to sell the bookstore and maybe move to Maine to live with his brother and start dating. There is no coincidence about his death.
“Did you kill Mr. Arthur?” I say in a low voice.
He doesn’t say anything for a while. “I had to.”
I gasp at his words. Anger brews inside of me like a tornado, and the back of my neck becomes hot. Very hot. My hands begin to shake like leaves. “Why would you kill him?”
He takes a big gulp from the bottle. “He deserved it. No one hurts you in any way. He tried to rape you. That is enough reason for me to kill him.”
I’m the reason why he’s dead. I’m the reason… oh my God. If I hadn’t told him, then Mr. Arthur wouldn’t be dead. I don’t wish death on anyone, no matter how bad a person is. It’s up to God or a higher being to determine the outcome.
“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have ever… What have I done?” I say out loud, shaking my head. “There’s blood on my hands.”
I’m not going to be like my mom and follow in her footsteps and be blind because I’m in love. Love is a dangerous game. She helped and aided in the killings and was okay with what my dad did. I should have let him go when he told me he was a hitman.
“I’m a killer. It’s what I do. I knew you would be shaken up about it.” He laughs, but it’s humorless. “I did the very thing your father did, and now you hate me.”
“I don’t hate you, Viper. I could nev—”
“But you’re confused.”
