“Don’t think you have what it takes to kill a man,” Sylvester drawls. He’s sweating profusely, the edges of his ball cap stained.
He’s wrong. I’d be happy to show him he’s not the only one who knows how to take a life. He can have everything he’s ever wanted. To forever stay on Raven Isle, even in the afterlife.
As badly as I’m itching to kill him, I care more about what happens to us after than satisfying the need to feel his blood on my hands.
“Get in,” I say, motioning toward the cellar with the gun.
“My leg—”
“Is useless, I know. Not my problem. Make me ask again, and I’ll shoot off the other, so you have a matching set.”
He scowls, aiming another glare my way as he hobbles toward the cellar. Once he’s in front of it, I decide to make it easy on him. Lifting my leg, I power it straight into his back, sending him flying down the hole.
He shouts, and whatever way he must have landed isn’t too pretty, considering his yelling turns into an outright roar.
Again. Not my problem.
When I look down into it, I find him only about twenty feet down, rolling to lay flat on his back, curses and spittle flying from his lips.
I have no sympathy. Shooting him one last look, I grab the door and slam it shut. There’s a simple sliding mechanism to lock it, and while I’d prefer a deadbolt, it’s the best I can do for now.
Sylvester never said if Sawyer was hurt, and every molecule in my body is now centered on her.
As I’m making my way to the door, I notice a blanket lying haphazardly on the couch. I snatch it, just in case I need to staunch a wound, or fuck, even for if she’s a little cold.
It takes me only a few minutes to get to the cave, every second feeling too long.
“Sawyer!” I yell, stomping through the tunnel.
“Enzo?” she answers, eagerness saturating my name. Just as I reach the opening beneath the glowworms, I see her rushing toward me, her skin awash in blue.
Her face is slack with relief, and her teeth are chattering.
It’s freezing in here. With the constant storms, the temperature has dropped significantly.
“You hurt?” I ask, my gaze sweeping across her body while I set down the shotgun. She’s still in her shorts and a t-shirt, her arms and legs covered in goosebumps.
But I already have the answer to my question.
I zero in on her swollen eye and bleeding lip. My blood turns glacial.
The muscle in my jaw thrums, and my fists curl as I stalk toward her. She goes to step back, but as quick as a viper, one hand snaps out, grabs the back of her neck, and jerks her face into mine. She stumbles, catching herself on my chest.
Instantly, her hands curl into my shirt, but I can’t distinguish if she’s trying to push me away or hold on.
My chest pumps heavily, the fury wreaking havoc on my control.
Morirà lentamente. I will claim self-defense when the authorities get here. He put his hands on my girl, and I sure as fuck will no longer allow him the gift of breath.
I lean in close, her body trembling and eyes wide. They’re dilated, but it’s not with fear this time. There’s no mistaking the heat in them.
A small gasp slips free when my lips softly caress the side of her reddened eye.
“Enzo…” she whispers, her words trailing off as I softly press a kiss there.
“Don’t worry, baby,” I breathe, the ice in my body chilling my words. “I’m going to end him. And I will let you watch.”
She shudders, her hands tightening in my shirt. “I hope you do,” she rasps, sounding on the verge of coming without me even touching her. However, she gathers herself enough to ask, “Where is he?”
“He had a cellar hiding beneath the dining room table. He’s in there now,” I explain, remembering to wrap the blanket around her shoulders. She’s looking up at me with glimmering eyes, staring at me as if I was the one who saved her.
She’s so fucking beautiful.
“That’s… interesting. Wasn’t expecting that.”
“Worked out for us,” I mutter, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the pool.
“We can go back whenever you’re ready,” I tell her, tugging her until she sits beside me.
“Can we stay here tonight? I know it’s not very comfortable, but I just want a night outside of that lighthouse. It’s fucking suffocating.”
“Whatever you want, bella.”
Her face twists into a pained expression. “Tomorrow morning, we'll start looking for the beacon again. We have to find it. I don’t want to stay here for any longer than we have to.”