Chapter 14
I hear Van chuckle from behind me, and it sends shivers down my spine and spurs me on more than it should.
I was a little worried, when I came up with this idea on the spot, that he would try to stop me.
Or at the very least, try and talk me out of going this far.
But hearing that sinister laugh, just shows me all the men I’ve dated in the past were all wrong for me.
Proving that I was just wasting my time.
I was waiting on this…on him. Because Sullivan here… he’s everything I need.
I begin pouring the liquid out in front of and all around Ethan.
The fumes of the toxic chemical sting my nostrils, making my nose scrunch up in response.
When it’s down to a few drops left, I just start sloshing it everywhere on top of him, trying not to get it on myself.
Ethan shifts in an attempt to stand up, but Van kicks him hard in his stomach, then after punching him in the head, shoves him over with his combat boots.
Tossing the empty lantern over by Vicky, I look back to Ethan with a bit of nostalgia crossing through my mind. I watch him for a few moments, taking everything in. I shake my head slightly, because I really haven't a clue what it was about him that kept me coming back. Kept me obsessed.
Sure he's good looking in that All-American Boy type of way, but he's a spineless snake who only thinks about his own needs and making himself happy. I should have seen through his lies and all the disloyalty earlier.
My tall, dark, and handsome dominant stranger fishes around in his front pocket, pulling out a plain silver zippo lighter holding it out to me. “This is your show, sweet girl. It’s time to finish this chapter once and for all.”
Closing my hand around his and giving it a little squeeze, I stare up into those gorgeous ocean blue eyes.
I have never experienced love at first sight, but this is the closest I have come to it.
My body feels like a livewire right now.
My blood is singing, my heart is erratically pumping, and I have an electric current running through it.
Leaning up on my tippy toes, I press my lips against his lips. It's more of a gentle caress than a full on kiss. “Thank you…for everything,” I whisper against them, making Van give me a crooked smile. Ethan is gasping for air from where Van kicked him.
Turning, I face my ex completely, cocking one hip out and resting the hand not holding the zippo on it. The air is thick with death, and the knowledge that I’m the one bringing it, is a heady feeling.
Powerful.
Intoxicating.
Invigorating.
“I hate that it's come to this Ethan. But you're a worthless piece of shit and were never worthy of me. I need someone in my life that knows me and understands me, unlike you. You're a selfish, disloyal dick.”
He glares at me from his side, lying on the cold cement floor. I give a little shrug. Van and I walk to the bottom of the stairs as I flip open the Zippo and strike the little wheel, making the flame come to life.
I hear Van take a few steps, continuing further up toward the main part of the house, but he doesn’t go too far. Staring at the man who has been my obsession for over five years, but now I'm just excited for a new, fresh start with someone who really does get me.
“I finally realize, you and Vicky do deserve each other.
So you can both burn in hell," I finish, as I toss the lighter directly in front of him, making flames erupt across the floor and the kerosene does the trick, immediately catching his clothes and him on fire, covering his entire body in flames.
Thank God we taped his mouth shut prior to all of this, because the muffled screams are annoying as fuck.
I stand there for a moment, watching him roll around on the ground screaming and begging for me to stop this.
The heat coming from where he and Vicky are burning is stifling but the yellow and orange flames are mesmerizing to watch.
The smell of smoke and burnt flesh hits me, making me cover my nose and mouth.
I’ve heard people talk about the smell of a burning body, but I never expected it to smell like that.
It reminds me of cooking deer meat outside over the bonfire when I was young and my parents were so drunk they forgot to take the meat from over the fire.
That is a stink you cannot get out of your clothes.
Van grabs the back of my shirt, forcibly pulling me up the stairs, as the flames begin licking the banister and spreading quickly. The way he manhandles me makes me break out into a fit of laughter.
Smoke starts billowing up from the roof of the basement out of the door, heading into the main area of the house. Once we're both out of the lower level, and Ethan's screams have dissipated, we push the door closed in an attempt to keep it contained just a bit longer.
Turning toward the kitchen area, I see Jackson sitting on top of the counter eating a bowl of cereal. “That sounded intense," he says, shoving another spoonful into his mouth, chewing loudly. He swallows that bite and drops the spoon into the bowl before speaking again. “Feel better, Toots?"
I look back at Van who casually leans against the kitchen doorframe, crossing his arms and legs, staring back at me. I give him a little smile then look back at Jackson once more, nodding. “Three down…several more to go.”
Jackson sits the bowl on the counter and jumps down, brushing his hands down the front of his pants. Looking him over, I'm just now realizing those weren’t the clothes he was originally wearing.
Smoke is starting to fill the air more now and bringing with it that rancid smell of burning flesh. “We’ll get them all. Don't worry. Let's get out of here before this entire house goes up in flames.”
“Wait…" I say pointing at his new outfit. “Where did you get those?"
He looks down at himself and grins. “I figured the douchebag downstairs wouldn't need them,” he says with a laugh.
Bending over, he lifts a black gym bag that I didn't even see next to his feet and holds it out to me.
"I grabbed some clothes for you so you don't have to walk around with all of that blood on you. "
Pinching the shirt I am currently wearing, I look down and see just how much of a mess I did make.
“Thanks, Jackson,” I say, ripping the bloody shirt over my head.
After changing into another T-shirt, this one not as big, and a pair of joggers that also fit me much better, I close up the duffle bag.
Van stands up straight, taking a few steps until he’s directly in front of me.
Cupping my cheeks softly and looking directly into my eyes, he raises a curious brow.
“We’re going to talk about that little ‘several more’ comment once we're away from here.
But he's right…” he says, leaning down kissing my forehead, letting his lips linger for a moment.
“One of the neighbors might call this in. We don’t want to be here when they do.
Let's go.” Taking my hand in his, we quietly exit through the back door, heading to the main street where we parked just a few hours prior.
What a strange night.
Plans and agendas change so quickly and then something upends your entire trajectory in the snap of a finger.
Looking over my shoulder, back at Vicky’s house, I can see smoke starting to seep out of the little window we broke on the side of the house. The front windows are illuminating from the fire that is taking over the entire first floor.
Thank god it's close to four in the morning. The house is a little older, so it will be consumed quickly, but no one can call it in right away, because everyone is sleeping right now.
“What are we doing?" Jackson turns, as we near the Mustang we stole.
“Can you drive?” Van asks him, making Jackson nod. "Good. You drive that," he says pointing at the red car. “And Kata is going to ride with me. Follow me out of here and once we are a good distance away, I have a plan.”
Jackson raises a questioning brow as he looks at me first to make sure I'm okay with this. I give him a smile and a little nod. I mean, this isn’t the craziest thing I’ve done.
Jackson agrees and takes the duffle bag from me with the clothes he packed for both of us. I love that he's always thinking a few steps ahead. I didn't even realize how much blood I had all over me. If we were to stop anywhere, that would definitely draw attention to us.
Following Van over to a gorgeous matte black Audi R8, my mouth drops open when he opens the passenger door for me. I stop and stare between him and the car dumbfounded. “Is this…yours?” I ask him with wide eyes.
“Get in, Sweetness,” he says, holding his hand out like a proper gentleman, which we know he’s anything but that.
Once we’re in the car and all buckled in, he's pulling away from the curb.
I turn in my seat to make sure Jackson follows right behind us, and I release a breath when I see the bright headlights from the Mustang following close behind.
Jackson is my only friend, and a good one at that. I don't want to lose him.