Page 134 of Hate Me

He shoved his head back and smacked me in the face, forcing me back.

As I stumbled, he lunged and me and drove me out of the bathroom, right onto the main apartment floor on my stomach.

I twisted my legs and managed to kick him off me before he could obtain a stronger hold.

As I staggered to my feet, he bolted forward, coming for me again.

I darted out of his reach just in time.

Hearing him cursing me out and roaring, his footsteps drawing closer, I dove for the blade in the arm of the couch, ripped it out, and spun to face him just as he was right upon me.

I snagged his shoulder, jerked him into me, then drove the blade through his chest.

He choked and froze, eyes shooting wide.

The door flew open in the next second and Caleb rushed in, his gun at the ready, rapidly taking in the scene.

I kicked Jett off me and watched him collapse onto the apartment floor.

“You all right?” Caleb asked, noticing my mild injuries.

“Fine,” I breathed, fighting to catch my breath. “I’m fine.”

He was there in the next second, tucking me into his side, not saying anything else and knowing that I needed to see this for myself, to make damn sure Jett was really gone.

I couldn’t do anything but stand there and watch, unable to take my eyes off him as the light in his eyes faded and his life slipped away moment by moment, my knife buried deep in his chest.

It was done.

He was done.

The torment was finally over.

As I stared down at the corpse of the man who had caused me so much pain and loss, made me feel powerlessness, tried to make me into his victim, a voice carried toward me, diverting my attention.

I looked out to see the team leader, Caleb’s second, walking up to him as he smoked out over the balcony of the apartment.

Sven Nielsen.

He pulled his balaclava off and for the first time I saw his face.

Caramel-brown eyes shrewdly focused, his jawline obscured by a thick dark beard which contrasted sharply with his shaved head. He was a big guy, a whole lot of bulk, like Caleb. He looked to be in his thirties.

As he reached Caleb, they slap-shook.

“Thanks for doing this. I know it’s outside your normal purview and not facilities-related.”

“You called, I came. Simple as that, Cal.”

Caleb regarded him intently. “But?”

“Just a reminder. I know you’ve got your personal shit you’re dealing with, but we can’t wait forever. We need to move on this thing.”

Caleb nodded. “Gather the necessary intel. Recon the target, then prepare a tactical plan.”

Sven smiled. “Will do.”

Another slap-shake and he took off back down the stairs.

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