She searches my face with glassy eyes. “You made me happier than any Christmas Eve ever could. I love you.”
She loves me.
I love her.
I hold the gun to my temple.
And I pull the trigger.
Chapter 22
Lina
Click.
I let out a breath, holding back a sob, and press my forehead into Guy’s bicep. I breathe heavily, my heart racing and maybe even skipping beats. Ella is crying, and so is Silence. I slide my blood-and-sweat-slicked hand into Guy’s. He squeezes and places the gun back on the table.
This is a living nightmare, and it’s all my fault. Whoever dies at this table, their blood is on my hands, and I never cared before. Years ago, I could have walked away from this night with a clear conscience. I’m not the one pulling the trigger, so how could anyone blame me?
But this is on me.
I went after someone more powerful than me.
I started a battle I couldn’t win.
“This is getting dull.” Sawyer snatches the gun off the table and slips two more bullets into the chamber. He points at Silence. “You’re next.”
Y shakes his head. “No.” A simple word, but the meaning behind it is clear, and authoritative, but I recognizethe flicker of desperation in his eyes. Defending his brother’s wife. Someone he cares about.
Tucking away my seething hatred for Sawyer, I keep my voice level. Calm. “You can’t keep doing this.” He locks eyes with me, clearly surprised at my tone. “You’re guaranteed a death either way.”
“Not now I’ve spun the chamber,” Sawyer says. “If anything, I’ve given you an advantage! You.” He nods at Silence again. “Pick up the gun.”
Silence looks at Y, trembling.
“Now!” Sawyer booms, and she reaches out her shaking hand and picks up the revolver. Sweat dots her hairline, and she keeps her eyes on Y. He’s finally showing a reaction, his breathing fast, and my heart lurches at the love in his eyes. At the frustration at not being able to do anything.
And I did this to them both.
Y holds Silence’s other hand. “I’m right here.”
She nods and presses the muzzle to her temple. “I love you, okay? Xavier, too,” she whispers, and Y looks close to tearing himself in half. “Tell Zayden the best day of my life was the day I met him.”
Ella presses her face into Gable’s arm, crying. Gable stares at the scene as if he’s unable to look away. Guy’s hand is crushing mine.
Time stretches. The wind seems to still. The patio lights blur and glimmer.
Y suddenly reaches out, pulling Silence to him and kissing her. She closes her eyes, leaning into his passion, and takes in a breath when he pulls back. With their faces close, he whispers, “Tell them yourself, love.”
He snatches the gun, points it at his own temple—and fires.
Bang.
Silence screams. Blood sprays.
My eyes widen as Y’s body slumps backward and out of his chair, hitting the patio.
“No, no, no!” Silence leaps out of her seat and kneels at Y’s side, cupping his face and sobbing. “Yale, please, no, no!”
