Page 72 of His

Oh shit.

The painting falls from Astor’s hands and he lunges into the living room.

Leo, dressed in jeans and black t-shirt, stops cold, startled. The blood drains from his face as he looks at Astor.

He knows.

Leo raises his hands in surrender and begins backing up. “I’m sorry?—”

“You son of a bitch.” Astor advances, chest heaving.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t mean to get her pregnant.”

Astor launches himself at Leo, slamming his body against the wall, and wrapping his hand around his throat.

Leo releases a gurgling sound and his eyes bulge with fear.

“You killed Chloe so I wouldn’t find out. You killed her?—”

Knowing that he’s fighting for his life, Leo slams his fist into Astor’s kidney and twists out his hold.

Astor pivots, delivering an uppercut that snaps Leo’s head back. Leo doesn't go down, instead, his eyes flash with rage that matches Astor’s.

Leo lunges toward Astor with a jab, which Astor blocks, one, two three in rapid succession.

Lightning flashes through the windows and the rain is so loud it sounds like a million bugs screaming in horror.

Astor answers back with a left cross into Leo’s eye socket, bursting open his skin. Blood sprays everywhere. Like a robot, Leo isn't fazed. They fight like rabid dogs, punching, jabbing, rerouting and attacking again. Blood is everywhere, on the walls, on their clothes, dripping down their faces.

This fight is different from the one Astor had with Cillian. Cillian meant to debilitate Astor so that he wouldn’t do something stupid. Leo, on the other hand, means to fight to death.

Astor swerves, missing a hook aimed at his chin and drives his shoulders into Leo’s stomach, sending him flying backward, both men tumbling to the ground. Astor gets on top of him and unleashes like an animal. Leo thrashes under his holding, jabbing him in the liver and kidneys but Astor doesn't appear to feel a thing.

“You killed her you killed you killed her.” His screams are manic as he pounds Leo’s face like a jackhammer.

“Astor!” I scream, “Stop, stop!”

Leo’s body goes limp.

I lunge forward, grabbing Astor’s shoulders, trying to pull him off but it’s no use. Desperate, I grab Astor's face and scream in his ear as loud as I can.

Astor stops, looks at me, his eyes adjusting as if coming out a trance. Then, he looks down at Leo. A full minute passes as his brain begins to process what he’s just done.

Astor doubles over Leo's body in uncontrollable sobs.

I begin crying too.

What feels like eternity passes until I am finally able to pull Astor to his feet.

We stare down at the body. We don't need to confirm he’s dead.

I put my hand on Astor’s forearm. “It’s done. Let’s clean up.”

Forty-Seven

Sabine

For the next few days, Astor and I don’t leave the beach house.

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