I tower over Smoker by a good few inches, my six-four frame making him look small, yet he laughs as if he has a chance. He pushes up on his knees as if he’s about to get up from the couch, and I bring the knife up, aim, and let it fly. The metal pierces into his shoulder, and he screams. Blood begins pouring down his torso, and he falls back onto the couch.
“What the fuck!” Smoker yells, and I can’t help but smile.
God, his screams are like music.
Carson pushes off the wall and takes a few steps toward the hallway, and the second he’s out of view, Smoker yells,
“Run, Susie!” He holds his hand to the bleeding wound on his shoulder, trying to get up again but only falls back down.
“Stay with him, Emris,” Carson shouts, running down the hall as the sound of glass shattering hits my ears. I put my faith in Carson to get Susie while I deal with Smoker.
“It’s fine, he’ll get her.” I give my full attention back to Smoker. “Now back to you.” I step closer, and the little bitch scoots back on the couch. “I heard from a little birdy you’re in the market for a teenager, am I right?” I pull my gun from my waistband, making sure the safety is off.
“It’s not like that, man! I swear!” he screams, his face getting paler by the second. “I promise!”
“You promise?” I ask him, and he nods. “Oh, shit. Okay, as long as you swear.” I shrug and go to put my gun away, wanting him to think I believe him. He relaxes a tad when he thinks he’s safe—that is, until he opens his mouth.
“I swear it’s not what it looks like. I just wanted to help Su—” He stops mid-sentence, knowing he’s said too much.
I raise my gun and aim at his head, and he does the one thing I love the most—he begs.
“No. No. No! Please! I’ll get the help I need! I swear!” He tries to plead, but I’m past listening. Nothing he says will change my mind, anyway.
“No one can help monsters like you, Austin. The only thing that helps men like you is the permanent kind—six feet under.” I close the distance between us and raise my gun. “Luckily for you, I have somewhere else I need to be right now, or I’d make this a lot more painful.” Without waiting for a response, I pull the trigger. The bullet pierces him between the eyes. His body slumps down, yet his eyes remain wide open.
Bending down, I grip the handle of my knife embedded in his shoulder and wipe the blood off on his shirt before pocketing it.
A cigarette dangles from his fingers, and I grab the bottle of vodka on the coffee table before dousing him in it. Grabbing the lighter that fell to the floor, I strike it and drop it on top of his lap. Within a matter of seconds, his body and the couch are covered in flames.
I whistle as I make my way to the door, ready to get this questioning shit with Susie over and move on. But the second I step outside, Carson’s standing there, defeat mixed with anger written all over his face. My jaw clenches as he says the one thing I didn’t want to hear.
“She’s gone.”
15
BRIELLE
I wakewith a jolt as a door slams from somewhere in the house, followed by yelling. My heart pounds in my chest as I toss the blanket off and let it drop to the ground.
I thought I’d go crazy being locked up in this room, but I’ll admit it’s been nice. No hurrying to work, no having to deal with my shitty car not starting, and definitely no dealing with Chase and Morgan.
Okay, and having a nice bed to sleep on has been doing wonders for my back, but I also want to go outside. I want coffee, and I want my freedom back. I also want to talk to Bexley, to let her know I’m okay.
I walk over to the window and look down. Emris’s car is parked where it was missing from earlier, and from the way he and Carson are in a yelling match, he’s evidently mad about something.
Good.
I’m glad someone was able to get under his skin. I only wish it had been me. I would do anything to get under his skin and make him regret taking me and not letting me go. I still have zero idea why the fuck I’m even here, and I’m done sitting herewith my thoughts, letting them tear me apart from the inside out. Mad or not, I need some answers.
I cross the room and pound my fists against the door, ready to add to his soured mood.
“Hello?! Let me the fuck out of this room!” I pound again and again, but still, no one fucking comes. The next time my fist comes down, the door opens so quickly I almost fall forward.
I pull myself together and glance up—Emris fills the doorway. His breathing is deep and hard, like he just came out of a fight, which judging by the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, he did.
Did Carson hit him?
I take a step back without thinking, trying to create some distance between us. The confidence I had been clinging to seconds ago drains away quickly now that he’s standing in front of me.
