Page 164 of Where Sinners Repent

“Don’t leave them here because of me!”

She’s frantic, throwing herself around and forcing the knife to slice deeper into her skin. She bucks against him, and my heart leaps into my throat.

“Stop moving!” I roar, my sanity slipping through my fingers.

This can’t be real. This can’t be fucking happening.

She ignores me. Fighting and pleading for the Devils to come back. Her voice shreds from her, tears sliding down her cheeks.

“You can’t do this!” she sobs at their retreat. “Please! Fuck, please! Don’t do this!”

The final scream that rips from her chest is laced with devastation. Her sobs slash through me.

“I’m sorry,” she wails. “I’m so fucking sorry!”

Kai’s eyes search her frantically, and he moves towards her. Isaac snarls, stepping back with Roxy in his arms.

She’s lost to her guilt. Her grief.

“Over there,” Isaac jerks his chin to where we are.

Kai listens, walking backward and lowering to his knees next to me, his palms up. Surrendering completely.

“I’m here,” he grits out. “Now let her go.”

Isaac laughs an unhinged cackle that carries through the loading bay. It’s on the hysterical side, breathless and high; the man is losing his mind in front of us.

“You don’t give the orders anymore.”

Kai’s jaw flexes. Now that the Devils are gone, I can see the full extent of what remains. Bodies everywhere. Mostly Wraiths, but Devils too. Blood already tickles towards the drains, all of it mixing together until I can’t tell Devil from Wraith.

The space feels empty. Rumbling motorbikes start outside before they begin disappearing. The sound I've grown to love, fading away in the distance.

They are leaving. And we are staying.

I look around once more.

Ash. Xavier. Griff barely upright with blood soaking the leg of his jeans and Leon cradled against him.

Kai and me.

And her.

All of us either on our knees or with a weapon pressed against skin.

The dozens of Wraiths remaining seem to be looking around. Men who were just about to run minutes ago, stepping back into the light with their guns raised.

One of them fucking smiles.

My stomach sinks. We had them.

“Let her go,” I growl, repeating my brother’s words. “You won. She can leave now.”

“No,” Roxy cries, gritting her teeth. “Kaleb, I’m begging you, stop this! This is crazy!”

Her eyes move desperately between me and Kai.

“Roxy,” Kai heaves. “Please.”