Page 30 of Remy

But she’s not anyone else.

She’s Olivia Pelosi. A valuable asset. And the woman I’ve failed at trying to forget for half a goddamn year.

I lean close, daring to rest my forehead to her temple, hating the tremor that vibrates through her. “We have some heavy shit to discuss.”

She shudders with a shaky breath.

“Let go of the gun, pyro.”

She winces. Concedes.

“Good girl.” I remain close, returning the weapon to the gurney in a gesture of good faith, although my palm rests on top of it because I’m not a fucking idiot. “Now before we talk, I’m going to need you to help me dispose of evidence.”

8

OLIVIA

I turn to him, taking in the seriousness of his expression.

“You’re going to follow me down the hall with this gurney of yours,” he states simply. “That’s how you got me in the cremator, right?”

I shake my head, the slow movement denying his request, not his question.

Because he’s right. After he crumpled into a pile of muscled limbs on the floor, I rushed through the building to retrieve the gurney so I could transport his heavy weight. I’d flipped him onto it like a sack of potatoes, the adrenaline in my veins potent enough to give me superpowers. But now all that energy is gone.

I’m exhausted. Defeated. On the brink of collapse.

“I’m not going to help you.” I hold my chin high through the fear.

He gives a sympathetic smile. “Yeah, you are.” He pivots the gun on the gurney, the barrel pointing in my direction.

My pulse stutters. “You said you were no threat to me.”

“I said you wouldn’t die as long as you followed instructions, my pretty little pyro.”

Stop calling me that.

Please stop calling me that.

I shake my head. “I won’t do it.”

“You sure?” He raises the gun, the barrel creeping toward my face until the cold metal brushes my cheek, gently directing my loose hair behind my ear.

I stand frozen. “You can’t make me.”

Am I willing to die for my morals? No. Will I put up a heroic fight until I’m forced to concede? God, I hope so.

He drags the gun along my jaw. Under my chin. He adds pressure until I raise my face flush with his. “We both know you’ll do exactly as I ask.”

Anger builds inside me. Disgust, rage, and ferocity, too. “I trusted you.”

We both know what I’m talking about.

The trust I gave him with my body. With my vulnerability.

“I know.” His dark eyes hold my gaze. “But we all make mistakes. Don’t make another one by defying me.” He juts his chin toward the hall. “Lead the way.”

“No.” I step back. Square my shoulders. “How did you get a key? Did you bribe Hugo? Do you know I fired him today because the retort was warm when staff arrived this morning?”

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