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Seeing him was painful. But also, some traitorous part of me was so happy to. Warmth bloomed in my chest, meeting with the rush of heat crawling up my neck.

Evelyn…focus. Layne’s voice cut through the noise warring in my skull.

Right…

Prying my gaze away, I made my way toward the bar, Preston’s disgusting hand practically pushing me forward. As I looked around, taking everything in, the memories crashed over me. How the floor groaned beneath me, the cold press of the railing against my back. It was dizzying to be back here.

I shook my head and found a spot at the end of the bar. My jaw tightened as I leaned against the bartop, pressing my eyes shut and letting out a long sigh, my lips a tight line.

“What can I get you, ma’am?” the bartender asked.

Preston’s darkness was absolutely overwhelming, in a way I’d never sensed before. It was difficult focusing with how overloaded my senses were.

“Ma’am?” he asked again.

Preston waved a dismissive hand at him. “Get this beautiful woman a glass of champagne. What the hell are you doing, man?” he sneered, sliding his hand lower on my back.

I fought back a snarl as I bit down hard on my teeth, my pulse hammering in my ears. For a moment, I thought I might lose control of my glamour.

Forcing a smile, I hid one of my hands behind my back, nails digging into my palms. “Why, thank you, Mr. Willows.” My voice was gentle and kind, masking the fury that was clawing at my throat to come out.

Preston’s eyes drank me in, lingering on the low cut of my dress.

Massive tendrils of darkness coiled around him, thicker than anything I’d seen before, outside of Layne’s shadows. They undulated across his body, the oily sheen suffocating the air around us. He was absolutely drowning in rot.

The bartender placed two glasses in front of us, and Preston snatched both before handing me one.

The yacht's engine rumbled to life beneath my feet. Finally, I thought, unsure how much of this I could bear.

We pulled away from the marina, starting our trek toward Preston’s mansion on Mercer Island. And I was headed right toward the revenge I’d been owed since the night he killed me.

This time, I gave a real smile as I raised my glass in the air, cocking my head to the side. “Here’s to getting what we both deserve.”

Preston didn't even raise a brow. Too stupid or drunk to realize how close to death he truly was. “Mmm, I like the sound of that,” he growled.

Our glasses clinked together, and Preston downed his in one foul gulp.

I could drown you right now with that champagne, I thought.

I sensed Layne’s voice, Now, now, darling. It’s almost time…

He was right. I’d have my chance. For now, I’d play the game until I could get him away and off the yacht.

I needed him alone and afraid. I wanted his darkness to taste as sweet as possible when it drained from his heart.

By the time I was done with him, I wanted him to feel completely hopeless—just like he’d done to me.

“Shall we?” I asked, gesturing towards the front of the yacht. A wicked smile spread across my face, and my eyes gleamed in the setting sun.

“Hell yeah,” Preston slurred, looping his arm under mine.

I’d spent months hunting the darkness that festered across Seattle’s streets, feeding on every man’s depraved rot I could find.

Tonight was different, though.

Because this time, I was going to devour the darkness of the very man who had taken everything and everyone away from me, including my own life.

You have no fucking idea the tidal wave of pain I’m going to drown you in.