An hour later I pull into the lot, finding Kingston Heart exactly where I told him to be. He rests on the hood of a Mercedes, a cigarette between his lips. He stiffens when he sees the car, hand going to the gun he has tucked into his jeans.
I’d been researching the Heart family since I figured out Isobel was the missing sister. I’d heard about the kidnapping years ago, I didn’t care but I’d heard, everyone in the business did. Turns out it was her own uncle who had sold her to the Syndicate and had been lying to her brother for six years. Well, it was time for a little change to the Heart hierarchy.
I stop the car just as Isobel stirs in the back seat. I look back, turning in my seat to see her eyes fluttering open, bloodshot and drowsy.
“This isn’t goodbye, Snow, it’s just a for now.”
She frowns, confused.
I pull the black mask over my face and climb from the car, ignoring the brother in favor of gathering up my Isobel from the back seat. She slumps against me, legs weak, “I need you to follow behind me, Snow, stay behind me.”
She’s so dazed and lethargic she just nods. I push a piece of paper into her hand.
Kingston steps forward, pulling his gun out.
“Ah, ah, ah,” I say, my voice muffled from the mask, “I wouldn’t do that.”
“Who are you!?”
“You want answers?” I say, my arm reaching back to brush against Isobel. My final touch, “Look to your uncle and find the Syndicate.”
Turning, I grip Isobel, her wide blue eyes meet mine and my heart shatters, my whole fucking being shatters as I push her towards Kingston and walk away.
And I feel it, with every step I take away from her, I feel that dark pit inside me open up more and more, feel myself dying the further I get.
I was nothing but vengeance and pain without her. I glance only once in the rearview mirror, just one last look before I drive away and leave her.