Ruthless Games

But as I’m standing there, wondering what to do, I notice that Vance is ambling away from the pair, back towards the car.

Shit. Has he spotted me? I shrink back in the shadows, out of sight, as Vance glances around.

Then he pulls something from his jacket. He quickly crouches beside the car and fixes it beneath the driver’s side, before straightening up, like nothing’s happened. Then, just as subtly, he melts away in the darkness, like he was never there.

What the hell?

I’m still trying to process what I’ve just seen when Nero finishes up the conversation. The other guy leaves, and Nero heads back towards the car, checking his phone.

He has no idea what Vance just did.

I open my mouth to yell a warning. Then I hesitate.

An eye for an eye.

That’s what Nero told me, wasn’t it? He was responsible for my mother’s death. For all my heartache and pain. I could turn around right now and walk away, letting whatever happens just… Happen.

I could be free of Nero forever.

So why does that thought break my fucking heart?

Something snaps inside me. I have to stop him. I can’t lose him like this. Not now.

“Nero!” I scream, running out of my hiding spot. But the noise from the river and passing traffic is too loud. He doesn’t even look up. “Nero!”

I lunge towards him, desperate, when—

BOOM!

There’s a blinding flash of light, and then a shockwave sends me flying, knocking me to the ground and stealing the breath from my lungs.

Oh God.

I roll over, clawing my way to my knees. There’s smoke everywhere, flames billowing. I can’t see him anywhere, there’s no sign of life.

“NERO!” I scream, desperate.

But there’s no reply.

I watch the fireball blaze, an inferno in the dark, and feel my heart rip in two.

Is the man I love dead?