Stolen by Truths (Truth or Lies 4)

Milo’s eyes are closed as he rocks.

Slowly, I reach out and grab the knife.

And then I do what I must—what has to happen for this to end. Even though I know the consequences of what I’m about to do. Milo may be bad, but his successor will be worse.

I grip the knife with both hands and use all of my force to stab into his chest, aiming for his heart.

I pull back, watching the blood squirt. And then I stab again, again, again, again, again, again, again…

So much pain, anger, and anguish go into each stab.

Die, die, die, die.

I hate you.

I hate your truths.

I hate it all.

I pant heavily, tears falling freely, blinding my vision as I stab. Over and over.

And over and over.

And over and over.

Everything consumes me in that moment.

“Stingray...”

The single word brings me out of the fog.

And I weep.

26

Enzo

Milo is dead, and Kai is alive.

I repeat the words over and over in my head, trying to erase everything else I see from my brain.

But I can’t.

I’m so tortured.

And this moment will change me. I’m not sure how yet. But it will. Just like it changed Kai.

I walk slowly to her even though I want to run. I need to keep her calm and get her out of here without her seeing anything else.

Langston is standing behind me, and I hold up a hand for him to wait. I don’t want to overwhelm her, and I don’t know what her current state is.

“Stingray,” I say softly again.

Her watered eyes stare at me, but thank god, the bluish-green color is still there. There is still life behind her eyes, even if she doesn’t feel it yet.

“Can I have the knife?” I ask. I’m afraid if I touch her, she will start stabbing at me. And while I could easily block her, I don’t want her to have any guilt later for attempting to hurt me.

She drops the knife, and I toss it away.