Despite the fact there is no body and no evidence of what I did.
I clutch the doorjamb, staring at the remains of my life. I have nothing left. Nothing to hold. Nothing … except that man who haunts even my very own dreams. Who showed me the truth I thought I wanted to know until I stared it right in the face and saw how vicious I truly was. Who, out of all people, I now miss the most.
I snort out loud, which quickly turns into a cynical laugh as I sink to the floor. Things can’t get much worse than this. But the worst part of it all is that I know I deserve it … because Chris is gone, thanks to me.
At least, that’s what I remember. I killed him … but there’s no trace of him left, which makes me wonder if my memories can even be trusted at this point, especially with everything that’s happened.
Suddenly, someone sauntering into the hallway catches my eye. It’s a guy with a bottle of whiskey in his hand. The same drunk who followed me from that alley … now followed me home.
Panic floods my veins as I scramble up from the floor as fast as possible, but not fast enough to stop the guy from chasing after me and blocking my door with his foot so I can’t close it.
I squeal as he barges inside, slamming the door open wide.
“You thought you could run from me?” the guy yells, slurring every other word. “I like a bit of a challenge.”
“Get away from me!” I scream, crawling across the floor.
He laughs. “You think a tiny mouse like you could scare me off?” He steps closer, taking a big gulp of his bottle before chucking it aside on the floor. “I think I’m going to have a bit of fun with you.”
I shake my head as I turn around on my knees and try to get up. But his body lands on top of mine, squashing me instantly, almost making it impossible for me to breathe.
“No!” I shriek when he tugs at my pants.
His disgusting breath smells of alcohol as he whispers into my ear. “C’mon, show me what you’ve got to offer.”
Tears well up in my eyes as I gasp for air.
Suddenly, the guy is torn away from me, and I can breathe again.
I turn around on my back and look up, only to lose my breath entirely at the sight of the man pounding away on the drunk.
Eli.
Chapter 9
Eli
Indescribable anguish fills my bones when I spot someone else trying to take what’s mine. I lash out in fury, roaring out loud while tearing him off her with almost inhumane strength. I grasp him by the collar and lift him, only to punch him right in the jaw.
“What the fuck?!” the guy squeaks. His breath stinks of alcohol.
“STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER!”
I kick him in the gut so hard I lose grip, and he falls to the floor.
An oompf sound leaves his mouth. “Fuck …”
I kick him again and again until he cries out in pain. “I’m sorry!”
“Should have thought of that before. You. Tried. To. Use. Her.” Each syllable uttered is another kick to the stomach until he coughs up blood.
Then I pull the gun from my holster and hold it over his head.
“Now say a prayer,” I growl.
“No, wait!”
Amelia’s high but dangerously loud voice makes me stop in my tracks and focus on her as she gets up from the floor. Salty tears stain her round, pink cheeks, and I wish more than anything that she wouldn’t have to cry them. Tears he put there. And I wish that she wouldn’t have to pout with those sweet, red lips so desperately that it tugs at my heartstrings. And I’m torn between wanting to wrap her in my arms and murdering this son of a—
“Don’t do it,” Amelia says, upending my train of thought.
“He has to be punished for his sins,” I respond, my voice shaky, unruly, as though it’s coming unhinged at the seams, just like I am when I look at her in all her misery and sorrow that I wish I could erase.
And the only way to do that is to erase him from this planet.
I redirect my attention back to the drunk and pull the safety off the gun. The guy pisses his pants. “Please. Please. Please, don’t kill me.” His eyes are closed, and his entire body is shivering. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I promise I won’t ever do it again. Please, let me go.”
“No … you won’t,” I say through gritted teeth, pointing my gun straight at his forehead.
Suddenly, Amelia grabs my arm, and I’m torn between this drunk who dared to touch her and the woman I want to hold in my arms and never let go. Even with tears staining her eyes, she still clings on to a life that doesn’t belong to her.