48. A Sliver of Revenge
48
A Sliver of Revenge
Jessica
When I first saw that ginger-looking dude, I did a double-take. It was my own immature idiocy that had me cursing out loud when I realized who it was. And then, of course, they spotted me, and it was too late for me to make a break for it.
So, I did the only thing I could think of.
I played nice and friendly.
Which, given my current reputation, was a mistake because, if nothing else, the likes of Finn McDonald knows who I am, the type of industry I now work in, and the reputation I have at this point in my life.
And that would be someone not to be trifled with.
Unfortunately, I was correct in the assumption he would have an inkling who I am now, and he immediately called me out on my bullshit.
Now, I can’t say that I was totally surprised by his big revelation about that one time we fucked.
The fact that I didn’t remember it was a good indication that something was amiss, but by then, it was too late to do anything about it, and if nothing else, it gave me options I wouldn’t have had otherwise, given he connected me with my first Hollywood manager. Without his connections, I still would’ve been at the mercy of my father until I eventually managed to make a life of my own. Taking the Hollywood route set me on a fast track, even if some methods were less than above board.
But still, for him to so callously want to give me a detailed explanation of his obviously premeditated assault of me.
Fuck that.
I had spotted Carolina lurking in the shadows while he was running his mouth. Knowing her opinion of his type of people, I figured it was safe to give her an opening to get a jab in.
I was mildly surprised that she so joyfully stabbed his friend in the throat, but I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked by anything at this point.
Camilla screeching in when she did was a nice bonus.
Since she knows most of the people in this building, she has been most gleefully making her way through it. I never thought I’d meet anyone who could out-crazy Antoinette and Lilith, but Camilla just may do that.
I’m a little disgruntled having to follow this shitbag rather than stab him in the throat, but knowing there’s a method to the madness, I follow along as necessary.
I’m sure I’ll be given the chance just as soon as we have everything secure, but the urge to say fuck this entire mission and end his miserable life right now is strong.
“You better not be leading us in a fucking circle,” I sputter.
Camilla pulls him up by yanking on his arms with a touch more force than is probably necessary, then he turns toward us, glowering as he says, “And what fucking good would that do me?”
I step into him, incapable of keeping my mouth shut as I ask, “So, how did you do it anyway?”
He squints and asks, “Do what?”
“Manage to coerce me into you fucking me?”
He snorts, smirks at me, and retorts, “Drugs, sugar. How else?”
A scream forms in my chest, and I grit my teeth as rage surges inside me. I yank a knife out of Camilla’s belt, burying it into his shoulder without hesitation. “Don’t fucking call me sugar.”
He shouts in pain, fighting to get away from me as I twist the blade. Carolina grabs me from behind, yanking me back as I attempt to pull the knife out of him, wanting nothing more than to stick it somewhere fatal.
Carolina holds me tighter, and after a brief fight, I settle, raising my hands in surrender. “I’m alright. It’s fine.”
Carolina slowly releases me, stepping back but keeping her hands on my arms as she looks me over. “I’m alright. Seriously.”
Carolina nods, and then Camilla laughs behind me. “You got a little fire in you. I like it.”
I frown, shoving my shaking hands in my pockets as I shrug. “He pissed me off.”
Camilla throws her head back and laughs. “For some reason, I don’t think it’ll be the last time.”
I sigh, motioning for them to continue on. Finn takes a step down the hallway, muttering to himself, and Camilla retorts, “Keep running your mouth, and I’ll finish it for her.”
He stops muttering, but his gait is slightly slower now that he’s injured. We walk down a flight of stairs. Then another. And another. Trepidation runs over me as we sink further and further underground.
We continue walking, and then he stops aside a large metal doorway. Finn throws the huge deadbolt back and shoves the heavy door open, wincing at the pain in his shoulder. He walks into the room, and we follow, and then he flips on a dim light, and I blink at what appears to be a row of large concrete boxes. Or in their current shape, caskets.
“What the fuck is this?” Camilla asks.
“Prisoner storage.”
He grabs a box hanging from the wall and pushes buttons. A motor whirs, the chains creaking as they tighten, and the heavy lid starts to rise.
Carolina stoops over, peering into the box, and then she straightens, glaring at him. “Is this a fucking joke?”
He raises his brows and asks, “What do you mean a joke?”
“That’s not him,” she replies as she points at the box. “I don’t fucking know who that is, but it’s not Darius.”
The cover continues to rise as Camilla looks closer and then adds, “And also, this man is dead.”
He drops the controls, walks over to the edge of the box, and looks down as he whispers, “Oh, fuck.”
I stare at him with raised brows. “What do you mean ‘oh, fuck’?”
“This is the one he was in.”
“What do you mean ‘this is the one he was in’?”
“This is the fucking box he was in, so if he’s not in it, that can only mean one thing.”
Camilla, Carolina, and I all glance at each other and then look back at him as he mutters, “That must mean he got out. That means The Beast is free.”
I frown, then laugh. Then Carolina and Camilla laugh with me.
“That sounds like a fucking you problem, then.”
Carolina nods, then walks over to me, pulling a knife out of her belt and handing it to me handle first. “You wanna do the honors?”
Finn’s eyes widen, and he puts both his hands up in front of him. “Wait, wait. What are you doing?”
Camilla laughs. “If The Beast is free, we have no more use for you.”
He gapes at her and stands there shaking his head, looking scared.
I take the knife from Carolina, feeling the weight of it in my hand as I look between it and him, contemplating what I want to do.
I want to. I’d like nothing more than to stab him repeatedly until I appease the fury that swirls inside me.
I look down at the knife again, gripping the handle tightly, imagining how satisfied I’d feel bringing an end to someone who so obviously has no conscience or decency.
A hand on my arm startles me from my thoughts. I look up, meeting Camilla's eyes as she smiles at me. “It’s okay if you don’t want to.”
I press my lips together, a short, pained sob escaping as I nod and hand her the blade. She takes it from me easily, understanding in her eyes as she leans in close. “Don’t worry. I got you.”
I return her smile, nodding as I blink back tears. She looks to Carolina, nodding toward the door. “You two go on. I’ll tend to this and meet you outside.”
Then Carolina is beside me, her hand extended.
I look back at that fucking asshole, my lip curling in disgust before I turn away, taking Carolina’s hand and allowing her to lead me away.
Camilla’s laughter echoes behind us, and I smile to myself as the first plea falls from his lips.
But I keep walking, and I don’t look back.