Page 136 of Killer Kiss

Scythe scoffed, kneeling at Riddick’s side and cocking his head. “Why are you hoping she’ll help you? She’s the one who called me to let me know about this little party I wasn’t even invited to.” He glared over at our mom, who was still recording everything with a frighteningly exuberant expression on her face. “I’m real fucking hurt, Ma. Real hurt.”

Riddick’s father made a move toward Scythe, but Scythe just laughed in his face.

“Sit down, old man. We both know I could take you out in an instant. Don’t piss me off. I’m not in the fucking mood. I already lost one sister. I’m not losing another.” He glared at Riddick, leaning down and tracing the bullet hole in his jacket with the nose of his gun. “There’s only one alpha dog around here, Riddick, and it’s never been you. I might be out of the game, but I’m not out of the family. You’ll stay away from my sister, or I will make your life a living hell.” He dug the nose of the gun into the wound while Riddick howled.

Scythe shook his head, stood back, and added three new bullet holes to Riddick’s body. One in his gut. One through his heart. The last one through his brain. “Oops,” he laughed. “Changed my mind. You’re dead.”

Covered in blood, he glanced at the officiant, who was cowering by the fence with her hands above her head. “By the way, I object.”

Everyone stared at Scythe. No one moved. Not to scream and run away. Not to try to help Riddick, though he was clearly past that point.

Scythe had made his mark.

And with my mother’s video still rolling, it was one nobody would forget anytime soon.

Scythe stared at me, eyes wide, face smeared with Riddick’s blood. He held out his hand, his expression gentling. “Come on. There’s someone who wants to see you. Jez wasn’t the only one who called me.” He jerked his head toward the end of the aisle where Augie stood, deathly still.

Shit.

He’d seen every inch of my dirty laundry. It was all right here in front of him.

The real truth of who my family was. Who I was.

I walked slowly, on wobbly legs, back down the aisle to stand in front of him.

I could only imagine what he saw when he looked at me.

A killer. Danger. The woman who’d put his whole family at risk.

And yet his gaze searched my body urgently, flicking over every inch of my skin. “You’re okay?”

I swallowed hard. “Physically, yes.” But I shook my head, my eyes filling with tears. “In every other way, no.” I couldn’t help it. I reached for his hand, taking it and rubbing his cold fingers through mine. “I’m so sorry I lied. I don’t want to make excuses, so I won’t, but, Augie…” I spread my hand out, indicating the carnage behind me. “This is who I am. I don’t want it to be, but this is my truth. You know it all now.”

My heart thundered behind my chest as I drank in the sight of him. It had been barely twenty-four hours since I’d left his home, and yet I felt like I had to memorize every plane and angle of his too-handsome face. Commit it all to memory so when he walked away, I would still have it burned there. “I love you. I know I don’t have much to offer other than that. I come with baggage. So much fucking baggage, and a family who is batshit crazy…”

“I hope you’re talking about Vincent,” Scythe said grumpily. “I’m just fine. No need for medication here!” He toed Riddick’s dead body absentmindedly.

We both ignored him, and I gave Augie a sad smile.

“I know apologies and I love yous aren’t enough to change what I did. But I’m glad you know. I can walk away now, knowing that at least I gave you that.”

We stared at each other, but there was nothing left for me to say.

“Excuse me.” I moved around him, unable to stand there any longer for fear I’d do something stupid. Like throw myself at his feet and beg.

I wouldn’t do that. I had to be able to stand on my own two feet and look myself in the mirror at night. Riddick had already tried to take so much from me. I couldn’t give it away to another man.

Augie caught my wrist. “Lia,” he whispered.

A tremble raced down my spine at the nickname I loved hearing on his lips. A ball of emotion rose up my throat at how bad I wanted him. At how bad I needed his touch. His words. His heart.

I turned around, sure all of that was written on my face.

He cupped both my cheeks, drawing me in, our breaths mingling while we breathed together. He brought his forehead to mine, and a tear slipped down my cheek.

I couldn’t stand it. Being this close to him but not being his. “If this is goodbye,” I whispered. “Please. Just do it fast. I can’t take it.”

He shook his head, lifting my face so I had to look him in the eye.

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