Page 168 of Where Sinners Repent

Death would be a mercy.

With that, he turns and leaves. The Wraith’s wait before piling out behind him. And in seconds, it’s just us.

Some injured Devils surrounded by death and the most putrid-smelling building in existence.

Ash hasn’t moved. With his gun still pointed at the empty exit, his body is so tight it’s vibrating.

Xavier cuts Kaleb free, who tries to get to his feet but stumbles back to the ground.

“Someone call a doctor,” Roxy cries. “Please!”

With all the strength I can muster, I bring my hand to the side of her face, cupping the blood and tear-soaked skin with my rough hand.

She’s warm and real. The most perfect thing I’ve ever seen. She nuzzles my palm, crying softly into it.

“I’m so sorry,” she whimpers over and over again.

The world dips in and out, but I think I can hear motorbikes closing in. No, not hear. Feel. The ground beneath me rumbles.

My body threatens to pull consciousness out from underneath me. But I didn’t go through everything I have, just to pass out when I finally have her back. I’m not wasting a second with my eyes closed.

Kaleb falls to his knees on my other side, assessing my injuries. Ripping his shirt off, he presses down on the bullet wound in my thigh.

“Don’t shut your fucking eyes,” he murmurs, pushing roughly on my leg.

I hiss through my teeth at the pain that flares through me.

I wouldn’t dream of it.

Chapter 43

Roxy

My teeth chatter and my leg won’t stop shaking.

Perched on a stool in the club, watching everything happen, it’s like I’m not really here. Just an outsider.

Kai held on to me and refused to let go, even when his consciousness waned. He held me like I might run again.

I wasn’t going to. Not this time. Never again.

It’s time to face the consequences of my actions. Actions that got the men I love hurt. The more injured men were taken away somewhere, most likely to the hospital. Kai refused to go with them, and so did Griff. They made the doctor see them in the club.

With no pain medication, the doctor stitches Kai up, marvelling at the fact that no arteries were punctured and both bullets went straight through.

I nearly collapsed with relief.

Griff is more serious, yet he lounges on a booth with a drink in his hand like nothing happened. Leon is next to him, waking on the way over. For once, it doesn’t look like Griff is going to murder him.

Scanning my eyes, I see Maddy clinging onto Ash, refusing to let go for even a second.

It’s all too much.

My eyes drop to my hands in my lap, distracting myself from all the pain and hurt I caused.

Kai hisses through his teeth, and I flinch. My eyes find him, and sweat soaks his bare chest. Scars and burns glint under the dim light, stained red from the wounds.

Finally, I dare to look at Kaleb. He’s already staring at me. My vision of him blurs as I see him shirtless, burns reddening his ribs and his arm wrapped in a sling.