Page 96 of Angels In The Dark

Ambulances begin to pull in then. The responders all move quickly to check on everyone. Two approach our trio, and Sage releases him to them. One remains, insistent that he see to me. I wave him off, my gaze following Jay. I’m in shock, and I can’t even process his words, but when he touches me on the shoulder, I wince. Evidently, the flames dealt me some damage too.

I’m mesmerized by the sickening image of a burning Bliss.

My heart is breaking.

Sage is before me, and she looks at me with the same concern in her eyes from when we first met. She runs the back of her fingers down my cheek, and I lean into the comforting touch.

“I don’t know how, but he did this,” I choke out.

“Arrick.” The name is soft, but it’s a confirmation of what I already know.

Rage builds in me, and I focus on the feeling. For months I’ve barely existed, and it feels good to grasp on to the anger.

I want him to suffer.

I look around and take in everything around me. Ambulances are everywhere. Some have already left with Gus and a few of the girls with more severe injuries. Jay is loaded into the final ambulance with an oxygen mask over his face.

“He doesn’t get to do this. He doesn’t get to hurt the people I love.” I’m talking to myself at this point, barely aware of Sage in front of me, but I don’t care.

That bastard has taken enough.

For the first time in a long time, I feel alive. Not surviving, but truly alive.

I feel like I have a purpose.

Never underestimate a woman. We only need one reason to burn the world to the ground. He’s given me more than enough. My broken body was the beginning. Now he’s taken Kieran, part of my new family. He burned down the one place my existing family felt safe.

He shot Jay.

If he thinks he can take anything more from me, he’s made a grave mistake.

I’m done playing the victim.

He doesn’t get to hurt me anymore. I won’t let him.

The carnage around me grounds my fervor. But it’s the final glimpse of blood on Jay’s shirt as they close the ambulance doors that decides for me.

“He pays for his empire with the blood of others. I’ll pay for mine in his.”

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