Chapter 40 #2
“Covering it up will be hard,” Barrett points out. “You might have to torch this place to cover your arse.”
Alex ponders that for a moment, looking around the house that has been in his family for years.
“You can’t be serious!” Tamara stomps her foot again, obviously realising she’s pushed him too far one too many times.
“This house hasn’t felt the same since Mummy died,” Alex chokes out, and I roll my eyes, flicking my gaze to Barrett who looks like he wants to kill Alexander for being such a prissy fuck.
“Why don’t you just let the Crimson Angel kill her?” I step forward, unsheathing my blade, and his eyes widen at the sight. “It will be less suspicious and look like I’ve come to silence the bitch that gave me up.”
“The police will catch you!” Tamara screams.
“Just this once, I want to shut this bitch up!” Alex sneers, and Tamara flinches like she’s just been slapped.
“I thought you loved her?” I point out, and he shakes his head.
“I’ve endured her manipulation for far too long. And now she stands here, basically admitting that she’s only interested in my bank account. She used Melanie against you, Lily. Telling you she was dying, for Christ’s sake. Let me be the one to end her life.”
Shit… I think he’s actually serious.
Tamara takes that moment to run.
She makes it through the closest door, and I bolt after her as I re-sheath my knife, running on her heels until I’m close enough to reach out and fist her hair, ripping her backwards. As soon as she hits the floor, I slam my fist into her nose, breaking it on impact, and blood starts spewing free.
Her screech is loud, and she kicks and flails as I drag her by her hair back into the room to find Barrett still pointing his gun at my ex-husband.
“Please let me do it,” Alex begs. “I’ve never wanted anything more than this.”
Barrett steps closer to Alex, pressing the barrel of his gun to Alexander’s head. “If you make a move to harm Lily, you’ll be dead before you even fucking blink.”
Alexander nods, lifting his hand in my direction, and I look down at my gun as I drop my hold on Tamara.
He could try to shoot me… but for some reason, I don’t think he will. But shooting isn’t the Crimson Angel’s style, and even though Alexander doesn’t deserve my help, for my sons and Melanie, I’ll do this.
Ignoring my gun, I pull out my blade again and gesture to Barrett.
“Hold her still.”
Tamara screams and tries to scramble away, but Barrett is fast and strong and pins her wrists to the floor easily as she kicks.
Holding out my favourite killing blade, I offer the handle to my ex-husband.
“Go for the throat. A clean slice from one side of her neck to the other.” I bob my head down to Tamara, who is still screaming through her sobs. “That’ll shut her up and kill her quickly.”
I expect Alex to hesitate, but he doesn’t, reaching out to take my knife.
As he turns to face his wife, I pull my gun, ready to shoot him dead if he tries anything on me or Barrett, and watch as he kneels next to his wife as she tries to flail.
“No! Alexander, please! I love you!” she begs. “I don’t care about the money, I swear!”
Kneeling next to Alexander, I use my free hand to wrap around his and guide it to her throat.
“That’s it,” I say next to his ear. “Nice and slow.” Together, we press the blade to her skin and hold it there. “Last chance to back out,” I say, but he shakes his head.
“This is the easiest decision I’ve ever had to make,” he admits before directing his next words to his wife. “No more using Melanie against me. No more brainwashing her and making her think her brothers don’t want to meet her. No more of your manipulations.”
It’s then that I feel him press the blade into her skin, and I keep mine there over his, guiding him through the slice as blood gushes out, Tamara’s cries turning to gurgles.
Their precious white carpet is now red, as too are Alex’s clothes.
When I know the job is done, I tug Alex’s hand back, drawing the knife away, and Barrett releases his hold on Tamara’s arms as they go lax against the carpet.
“Be right back,” Barrett mutters, leaving the room as I slowly pry Alexander’s trembling fingers from around the hilt.
Still kneeling, Alex just stares at his wife, her life source gushing out like a river into their carpet.
“It’s really been you…” he whispers. “All this time?”
When his gaze flicks to me, I nod, waiting for him to lose it, but it never comes.
When he goes to stand, I stop him.
“Stay right there.” I point to the pool of blood. “If you track the blood around the house, the detectives will know it was you.”
Barrett returns then, plastic coveralls in one hand, and a large clear bag in the other. He passes me the clear bag, and I slip my knife into it before sealing it shut.
“Why are you doing that?” Alex asks, and I shrug, like it’s no big deal.
“If you try to fuck me over, then I have the evidence right here.” I hold up the bag, which is when he must realise how he fucked up.
I’m wearing gloves and he isn’t. Hell, even Barrett has gloves on.
“So you are going to turn me in for this?” he chokes out, and I shake my head.
“Not unless you fuck me and my family over. You need to say you came in and found her this way.”
His brows hitch, looking down at the blood coating his hands.
“But I’m covered in her blood.”
“Slowly stand and step back,” Barrett mutters, and Alex looks behind him to see a plastic sheet Barrett has laid out behind him. “Take your clothes off on this.”
In a dazed state, Alex does as he’s told, and I watch as Barrett helps him out of every bit of clothing, wiping as much blood off his skin as possible.
As Barrett helps him dress into the coveralls, I swipe up some of Tamara’s blood on my gloved finger and get started on my artwork, painting the wings with the halo above it.
“I never deserved you.” Alexander’s words have me turning from my masterpiece to find his eyes trained on me. “I don’t even deserve my sons and Melanie. But I want them, and I’ll fight for them no matter what.”
Well, shit. I guess he does love someone other than himself. For that, I feel a slither of respect for him. Just a slither.
“Good. You can start by letting the twins know that. And for fuck’s sake, take me out of your will. I don’t want anything from you, Alex. The day you die, the only thing I’ll be doing is celebrating.”
He nods as if he’s accepted that fact already.
“We have to go in case the cops randomly show up,” I remind my cousin, and he nods.
“I’ll take Alexander to the warehouse to wash properly and make sure he has his story straight before he comes back here to find his wife has been killed by the Crimson Angel.”
“Thanks,” I offer Barrett a slight smile as my mind flicks back to all of my other worries. Asher being one of them. “We also need to find Asher. I haven’t heard from him since last night and… and I need to tell him I’m sorry in person. Perhaps beg him to take me back.”
“What?” Alex frowns. “Asher? You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m still pointing a gun at you, Alex. Watch how you speak to my cousin,” Barrett remarks, and I grin.
I fucking love my cousin.
And I fucking love Asher Scott. I really need to tell him. And after that, I really need to find the person who put a hit out on me and finish them once and for all.