I release the safety on the gun.
Theclickechoes in the quiet, a rookie move.
He jerks his head in my direction as I slip out from behind the cover of the wall.
“Cat.” He’s upright in a flash, his fingers curling around the cell bars. “Cat, wait?—”
I raise the gun, my hand steadier than it’s ever been. “How could you?”
“I’m sorry. Declan…but I’m done listening to him. I’ve had hours to consider this, and you’re all that?—”
“Declan?” I bark a laugh. Is he serious? “You might hate your own father, but I loved mine, Connor. He was everything to me.” Tears burn my eyes again. Since they’re my new norm, I don’t bother wiping them away.
He frowns. “I know. I envy how much you love your dad. I promise you?—”
“So, you killed him because you were jealous?”
I’m trying so hard to keep it together, but my voice trembles anyway, and tears stream down my cheeks. I just want to shoot him between the eyes.
Images of Tony, of my father, keep flashing through my mind, splicing with Connor’s face.
His eyebrows shoot up into the curls framing his cheeks. “Killed him? Killed who? Cat, what are you?—”
“Shut up! I know you did it!” I suck in a breath.Calm down, or you’ll never do this.
Connor shakes his head furiously, his eyes darting everywhere. Is he…deliberating? Searching for an excuse? A guilty man who can’t meet my eyes?
“Cat, no.” He either reaches for me or the gun, but the bars block him at his biceps. “Cat, listen to me.”
Unfortunately for him, I’m out of range and the one holding the deadly weapon. “No, you listen to me. I’m sick of you messing with me, Connor. I’m sick of your shit.”
“I’m not messing with you. I promise. Hey, maybe no one killed your dad. Did you consider that? Maybe the antitoxin stopped working or had the reverse effect. Did you call 911? Did anyone try and revive him?”
How dare he even suggest that. I lower the gun, surging forward to grab the front of his shirt. “Fuck you, Connor! His throat’s been slit with that knife of yours!”
Connor releases a giant breath but doesn’t try to touch me again. “Listen to me. I’m dressed like this because I was going to steal the Bonasera diamond for Declan. I don’t know who murdered your father or why. Look.” Carefully, he hikes up his pant leg. “My knife’s been right here since Tony. You can check it.”
“I don’t want to touch your damn knife.” I really don’t. I do notice that he’s dressed like a jewel thief, though I don’t understand why. I release his shirt and retreat, raising the gun again. “You’re going to die for this, Connor Gallagher.”
“I’m so sorry?—”
“I said shut up! You’re a liar and a thief, and I’m sorry I ever met you.” I inch closer, pointing the gun right between his eyes. “You’re not going to be as lucky as Verone. I’m going to blow your pretty face off for what you’ve done to me.” I’m sobbing openly now, just as I did at my father’s bedside two hours ago. I don’t care. I hope my heartbreak is the last thing Connor Gallagher sees before I end his life. I hope he understands just how much he’s torn me apart.
Connor slips his hand through the bars and snatches the barrel of the gun.
“No!” I jerk back, trying to pry the weapon from his grip, but he’s too strong.
He presses it to his forehead. “Do it, Cat. Shoot me if you believe I did this.” He pushes his face between the bars. “I did not kill your father. Why would I after we negotiated an alliance? Plus, I liked the guy.”
The gun trembles in my hand, so shaky that I’d probably drop it if he weren’t holding it up. “Connor, I can’t… I don’t…” I cough, struggling for air as the grief and anger eat me alive. “He’s dead, Connor!”
He tilts his head so the muzzle is flush with his temple. “If you really believe I killed Eduardo, then shoot me right now. I want you to.”
“I’ll do it.” Thanks to my tears, his face blurs. Lucky for me, at this range, I could kill him blindfolded.
“I’m guilty of attempting to steal the diamond, but I would never kill your father. I’d never do that to you. Why would I want Eduardo dead?” His voice cracks. “Why would I want to see you like this?”
That’s my line. Why would he do this?
