The Widow Maker (Dark Vows Duet 2)

“Lie down on the grass,” Heath demands.

“W-Why?”

“Because I said so. Fucking now, Rain.”

I let out a sob as Phoenix rains the first few blows on my ass. I should have known he’d pick that spot. He was touching it the whole time we kissed in the den. Why the hell did I let him do that? Why did I encourage him?

I know why.

Because I couldn’t come to terms with my feelings for Heath.

But now, instead of those emotions dying down when I left them unattended, my desperation for the man I can’t have has blossomed into something more. It’s wrong and immoral, and yet I can’t help myself. I want him.

Hot tears slide down my cheeks as I cry for Phoenix to stop. But he doesn’t.

All five blows hit my ass with rapid succession before someone stops what’s happening, and voices cut through my desperate sobbing.

“That’s fucking enough, hermano. You’re torturing her, and she’s done nothing wrong.”

“And neither have you, I’m guessing.”

“Damn fucking right. Heath, this is madness. And she’s innocent.”

“Fuck…” I look over my shoulder to find Heath running his fingers through his dark hair. “I don’t know. I just don’t know anymore.”

I know then I have to tell him I have a problem with his addiction, too.

It might be the only way to save him.

Chapter eleven

Chapter 17

HEATH

I don’t remember how the scene in the garden ends. I took a big dose of the powder earlier and my head is spinning.

When I come back to my senses, I’m lying on my back with my wrists and ankles cuffed to the metal bed frame. I groan as a splitting headache threatens to drive me mad. My eyes embrace the shape of Rain at the end of the bed. Liberato is in the room as well, and he approaches me now. There’s an element of relief on his face, but he also looks pissed as fuck.

“Is it safe to untie you now? You won’t attack us again, will you?”

“What?” I mutter as he undoes the handcuffs holding me captive. I rub my wrists and narrow my eyes at my friend. “What do you mean, hermano?”

“I mean, you fucking jumped me when we were in the garden,” Liberato hisses. “I was just checking if you were okay and you attacked me.”

He shows me cuts and scratches on his arms that look like a feral animal attacked him. Instantly, my gaze shifts to Rain. If I hurt her, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.

“Relax,” she mutters, stepping aside so the evening light filters through the balcony doors. “You did nothing to me. But it took three of the men to restrain you. We did it for your own safety. What did you take, Heath?”

“I’ll leave you to it,” Liberato mutters and quickly makes up an excuse to leave. I don’t even register it, still staring at Rain as he leaves the room and closes the door behind him.

“What did you take?” Rain repeats, demanding to know the truth. “That wasn’t the real you. You’d never attack your friend like that, Heath.”

“I took... some of the powdered stuff.” I wave my hand as if it doesn’t matter at all. “Not a big deal. Sometimes it makes me a little aggressive.”

“Sometimes?” she laughs, but the sound is sad. Shaking her head, Rain doesn’t look at me as she adds, “You’re an addict, Heath.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, nodding. “I’m addicted to many things. You’re one of them.”

A light flush colors her cheeks but she doesn’t reply, just picks absent-mindedly at the fringe on the blanket covering the bed.

“Well, in that case, you need to choose your addiction,” she finally goes on bravely, her gaze challenging mine. “Me, or the drugs controlling you right now. Can you make that choice, Heath?”

“Why the fuck would I?” I practically snarl. “I don’t need to pick. I can keep you both.”

“No, Heath, you can’t. I’m going to have to go back to Xavier if you don’t get it under control.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m afraid,” she whispers, splitting my heart painfully. “And, Heath... Por favor, necesitas mejorar para mí.”

Her words make me swallow. My throat is scratchy. I’m overwhelmed by the headache taking over my brain. And yet my only worry is making sure Rain doesn’t leave me. She’s finally showing me a glimpse of the future—one where I don’t need to imprison her to ensure she’s with me.

And deep down, as much as I don’t want to admit it... I know my addiction has gone too far. And I know I need to quit. Rain is the first person in my life who would make that worthwhile.

“Fine,” I hiss, already dreading the coming days when I’ll have to wean myself off the drugs. “But what if I fail?”

A smile overtakes her face. It’s hard not to let it affect me. I want to mirror it with my own, but I still need an answer to my question.