Where her parents were killed.
And just like that, the damned timer wired to my chest shuts up.
No more ticking. No more waiting.
My time’s up.
Like a pest, my phone continues to vibrate beside me. And for the first time, I hear it.
“Why the fuck haven’t you been answering your phone?” Kane barks as soon as pick up the phone. “Do not go back to The Barrel. You hear me?She knows!Dante saw her take a photo?—”
“I know,” I cut him off, my own voice unrecognizable. “She has a gun to my face.”
“I’m on my way.” I hear his Jeep’s engine growl in protest.
“What’s the point?” I chuckle. “I lost her already.”
34
EVA
What did I just do?
Whatthe fuckwas I thinking?
I should have stuck to my plan and waited for Jack to return. But when he lay next to me, claiming me, like he still had a right on me, after he broke every shred of my trust, darkness clawed its way out of me. I decided to use him, just like he does, so effortlessly, socruelly.
Mason rises like an injured lion, the crease on his face, another lie.
“That was quite a stunt you pulled, princess.” A dark smirk lifts his lips as he tucks himself into his pants and fastens his belt. “Got to say, I feel used.”
“Shocking, I know,” I mutter. “Nothing like lying your way into someone’s life after burning it to ashes.”
His grin fades. “You don’t understand, little dove.”
“Let me guess,” I grit out, my chin trembling with uncontrollable fury. “You didn’t know. Then you found out. But decided to lie to me anyway, becauseI’m yours?” I spit the last words.
He stares at me for a moment, then shrugs, lips pursed. AndI almost throw the pistol in his face.Almost. But then I’d be left with nothing.
I went against my every instinct and opened every door to him—mind, body, and soul. And he crushed my faith under the weight of his lies, like I meantnothing.
“So, what’s happening now?” I demand. “Are you going to take me somewhere?”
“Well, I had a coastal holiday planned, but I’m guessing that’s off the table now?” He raises an eyebrow.
“You think?” I snap. “What then? I know your cavalry is coming to take me away. What happens next? Lock me up, torture me to keep me quiet? How exactly do you monsters work?”
Flames flicker in his eyes, his face turning feral. “No one touches what’s mine,” he growls.
“I’m not yours,” I scream the words loud enough to echo in my own head, seep through the very marrow of my bones where he’s engraved himself.
The door flies open, the light flicks on, making me jump. Kane, Hugo, and James storm in.How did I not hear them?They see the gun in my hand, pointed at Mason, their pace slowing as they join him. I circle them, keeping my back to the door. The one thing Jack always told me to do. Keep a clear line to the exit.
“What do we have here?” Hugo grins, chewing gum. “Etheridge finally showing her colors.”
“Shut up, Pike.” Kane looks directly at me.
“Relax!” Hugo laughs and waves toward me. “The gun isn’t even loaded.”
