My brain spins to comprehend her words. Justice?Shewants justice? For what? Me shooting her? Escaping?Shewas the monster. Justice is not for the guilty.
"I knew you were going to be a difficult little bitch," Simone continues, glowering at me. "I underestimated you, Emery. I did not think you had it in you to trick her. To…" Her jaw clenches.
“Where is she?” I ask, immediately regretting the question.
Simone’s expression darken. “I was hoping you’d know.” She cocks her head. “She left me.” Her voice strains with contempt. “I set her free, and she left me bleeding on the side of a fucking road!” Simone takes a step closer, pointing the gun directly at me. “You ruined my life, Emery Jones. You took away everything! She was… She was everything to me.”
"I did what I had to do," I whisper, my voice barely audible. “You were going to kill me. You?—”
Simone laughs. Such a hollow sound. "Yes, and that isstillmy plan.”
She sighs, waving the silencer. She’s only a few feet away. I have nowhere to run. Not this time. She clicks her tongue, her gaze flitting to my chest, and I stagger backward until I’m up against the wall.
“I know about you, Emery. You have not had an easy life. It is sad, really.”
She takes another three steps toward me, the gun now pressed directly against my skin. She uses the barrel to open my robe, the cold, hard metal scraping against my faded scar. She taps the center of my chest. Hard.
“You didn’t deserve this.” Her lip twitches. “This heart could have helped someone live for dozens of years, and yet it will only beat for a few more minutes.” Her gaze snaps up at me, and I swallow, my hands shaking, tears welling in my eyes. “If only her parents were still alive. I’d send them an apology note on your pathetic behalf.” She scowls at me. “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Perry. I’m sorry that Alison's gift was wasted. I’m sorry that?—”
My heart clenches, my vision blurring as Simone's words ring in my ears.
Alison Perry.
Alison. Alison. Alison.
No…
The name pounds through my head like a thunderclap, each syllable carrying the strength of a thousand burning suns.That’swho died in the car accident?That’swho Damon killed?
It can’t be…
It…
"What did you say?" I mutter, the room spinning around me. "Her name..."
Simone smirks, reveling in my distress. "Alison Perry. The woman whose heart beats inside you."
Alison. Alison. Alison…
The woman Damon and Quin loved. The woman who tore them apart. Who broke them. Who saved me.
Panic flares within me, and my hands shake with disbelief, confusion, and pain. It can't be true. It's impossible.
"No," I mumble, shaking my head. "No..."
Simone presses on, undeterred. "Any last words, Emery Jones? A prayer, perhaps?"
“Please."
A gunshot echoes through the room.
I brace for the searing pain, closing my eyes, hoping and praying that this life is not my last. I scream, whimpering, but once again the pain never comes. Once again, I am spared.
Trembling, I open my eyes to find Quinton and Damon standing in the distance, a smoking gun in Quin's hand.
My pulse quickens, and my heart…herheart…it hurts.
"I had to," Quin mutters, staring down at Simone. "She was going to…”
