Page 130 of Fire for Effect

Heath started laughing. It was long, psychotic, and shiver-inducing. Like Hannibal Lecter, but weirder. I’d almost laugh, if it wasn’t for the look in Kai’s eyes. A look that didn’t spread to the rest of his closed off face. Fear. He was afraid of losing me.

“Kai!” His mother said through clenched teeth, fear etched in every letter of his name.

“I’ll kill everyone on this stupid boat!” Heath said.

“Then who's gonna drive it back to the dock, smart guy?” I asked, annoyed that he wasn’t a better villain.

How had I married this guy? Was he always insane? Or did it happen later in life? I wasn’t sure.

Or was I so blinded and young, that I clung to the first man who paid attention to me like he was some kind of life raft?

“Let her go,” Griff said calmly, his expression distant from the situation.

But I knew him. I knew what tempest was brewing inside his body, and he was ready to snap, and the consequences would be deadly.

“Kai, get back here,” his mother said again, more insistent this time.

I had to handle this. I had to. Before my fiancé lost his cool.

But then something happened - something snapped in his head, and he calmed.

“I remember you,” Kai said, his eyes narrowing.

Heath looked at him with a sudden sense of recognition.

The two assessed each other, and I had my opening. I flipped my leg up, like a calf stretch, grabbed my high heel and slammed the stiletto over my head into Heath’s temple.

True to her word, Daria’s special shoes broke apart, leaving a needle-sharp blade that sliced through his temple like butter, embedding behind his eye socket.

Heath’s arms loosened, as I felt the squirt of blood on my hair, and the side of my face. I collapsed to the ground, completely going limp, as three shots rang. Secret service men in their black suits, guns out, robotically spoke into their headsets as they closed in.

Heath crumpled beside me. His face was inches from mine, his mouth open, but his eyes… Bloodshot and still.

His face was paralyzed in an expression of shock - a look he’d take to the grave, forever.

“I’ve almost watched you die for the fourth time now.” Kai came to his knees beside me, hauling me up and onto his lap.

His hands wiped the warm blood from my face.

“I’d be pissed, but you…” he shook his head. “I’m just so fucking relieved.”

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to his chest.

“Marry me.”

“I already said yes.” I murmured against his throat, putting a kiss there.

“Tomorrow.”

“Why the rush?” I asked almost laughing.

“I want to do it now.”

“Are you pregnant?” I asked, slapping him on the chest.

“Tomorrow?” Daria said, shoving at Griff and snapping her fingers in front of his face. “Are you crazy?”

“Yes,” Kai said, coming to his feet, and taking me up with him, carrying me bridal style.

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