Page 86 of Selfish Desires

Zachary's eyes flickered to mine and then to Vincent, his lips curled in an unapologetic grin. He looked like the devil standing a few feet from us, clad in an all-black suit and blinding white shirt. “That's right, Stephen.”

This had to be one big sick fucking joke. There was no way my best friend could have betrayed us and handed our lives on some platter to this lunatic. And yet, here was Zachary, smiling next to Stephen, confirming my twisted hypothesis.

How?

My mind screamed the questions, but my lips refused to form them.

“Ah, speechless, I see.” Stephen’s smirk grew, basking in our evident shock. He slung his arm around Zachary's shoulder like they were old pals. “Don’t be so surprised. From what I heard, you were becoming a real problem in Zachary’s marriage.”

“Why are you doing this?” I asked Zachary, who looked to Stephen for permission to answer. This wasn’t the friend I knew. The person I nearly grew up with. He never looked to anyone for the green light to do anything. The only person I ever saw Zachary bend for was Blair, who captured his heart, which was understandable. What loyalty did he owe to this psycho, Stephen?

When Stephen nodded, Zachary began, “I met Stephen the night Blair and I went to dinner in Newport when we visited you. You guys offered to watch Sadie. On our way back, we passed Stephen’s store, and he was there. He knew who I was and made introductions, and one thing fell into the next, and here we are today.”

“Come on, Zach. You’re skipping over the best part!” Stephen shouted. “You offered up Vincent to me. Isn’t that right?”

Zachary’s eyes shifted from Stephen to mine. He swallowed and said, “Yes. That’s right. I did.”

Zachary's words echoed through the room like a chilling wind, cutting through us all. No denials, no explanations. Just the stark, bitter truth. I felt my heart shrivel, my breath hitching as I stared at him. He held my gaze for a drawn-out second before looking away.

“Zach,” I began, my voice dangerously quiet. “Why?” I glanced toward Wendy, whose face was riddled with sweat because she knew the harsh truth about our situation. This probably was not going to end well.

Stephen was still grinning, an ugly smirk that made me want to wipe it off his face. But Zachary looked like he was about to be sick. The man I knew was not this scared little boy trying to grow into his too-big shoes.

“He threatened my family,” Zachary said finally, avoiding our eyes. “And protecting the two of you wasn’t worth it.”

“You see?” Stephen snapped. “That’s fucking loyalty. And I knew that about Zach before I even had to make the threat. But by doing so, it laid the nail right into the coffin.” Stephen’s cackle cracked the thick air in the room as he nodded toward my best friend. “Isn’t that right, Zach?”

Cringed. I cringed.

“That’s right, Stephen,” said Zachary, clearing his throat and staring at me.

The silence that followed was deafening. The room closed in on me, and my mind raced with the enormity of Zachary's confession.

“So this is it?” I finally managed, shooting a last glance at Stephen, “You're just going to hand me over?” I desperately wanted to look at Wendy but feared Stephen’s reaction.

Stephen laughed, shaking his head. “No, Vincent. We're not just going to hand you over. That would be far too fucking easy and boring. You know? I thought sending you threats all this time and knowing it was driving you crazy was fun. But I was so wrong. Stopping the threats for a few weeks here, a few years there? That was fun. Watching you believe you were in the clear or watching you be tortured when I would stop sending little love notes or photos? Now, that was fun. Anyway, now the fun has to come to an end.”

Suddenly, he pulled out a gun from beneath his coat and pointed it at Wendy.

“No!” I screamed, drowning out Wendy’s gasps.

Infused with a sudden rush of adrenaline, I lunged toward him, forgetting I was tied down, and fell sideways onto the dusty floor.

“Please, just stop!” Wendy's cry echoed in the room, her fingers reaching out to me, her eyes wide and terrified.

I turned my head, trying to look back at Stephen even as I struggled to right myself, my bonds chafing against my wrists. Zachary stood frozen, his face a pale mask of regret or fear. I couldn't tell which. Then Stephen's laughter rang out again, cruel and high-pitched.

“You didn't think I'd shoot her, did you, Vincent?” He lowered his gun and ran a hand through his hair. “No, no. That wouldn't be fun at all. See, the thing is,” he glanced over at Zachary, “the both of you are going to die tonight, but I’m not going to be the one to kill you.” Stephen handed Zachary the gun. “Your best friend is. And he’s going to do it in this order. Wendy and then you.” Stephen pointed to the center of my chest.

Zachary reached out and took the gun, his hand shaking. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and he refused to meet my gaze. But he didn't say no. He didn't protest. He just stood there, gripping the weapon like a lifeline, his knuckles turning white.

“Wendy…” My voice cracked, and I had to swallow hard before trying again. “Wendy,” I said louder this time, meeting her wide eyes with desperation. She was shaking her head frantically, pleading with me not to give up.

Stephen moved to stand behind Zachary, his fingers firmly planted on his shoulders, guiding him closer to us. “Come on, Zach,” Stephen taunted. “Are you going to let them get away with their little reunion? After everything Vincent’s done? Look at all the trouble he’s put you through. He doesn’t deserve happiness, love, friends. And poor Wendy. She never stood a chance.”

Zachary’s face was ashen as he raised the gun shakily, aimed at Wendy. His finger trembled over the trigger as he swallowed hard.

“Zach.” My voice was hoarse, my wrists raw from the ropes biting into them as I tried to break free. “Zach, don’t do this.”

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