Page 100 of Hell Breaks Loose

Something uplifting.

“Would you like to say something, Mister Vice?”

I catch the question at the end of the ramble.

“I would.” He turns out to face the gathering, to face me. “This day marks the dawn of an empire. The joining of power. Of fate. Today, I take this vow. I swear on every drop of blood spilled along my journey, in exchange for what you give me now, symbolized in your hand, in your heart, I promise to give you more than you can ever imagine, a legacy that will echo your name for generations to come. What love we lack will come in time.”

I smile, on cue, the direction given by a whisper from Sing.

“You will join me. You will be my queen. And together, we will change the world.”

A drop of rain taps the stage next to me.

Then another.

“Quickly. Now,” Marco clips, frowning at the darkening spots on the wood.

“Do you, Marco Alejandro Vice, take this woman to be your wife?” The man’s voice trembles.

“I do,” Marco shouts, smiling in triumph.

“And do you, Hellena Michaels, take this man to be your husband…?”

Time stands still. Like it has so many times before.

When I walked into Rachelle’s house, my home, to find a drug dealer holding a gun to her head. When Gavin wiped out those same drug dealers before they could kill us.

When the Sinful sold me off to the highest bidder.

When a bullet tore through my side.

When a bomb destroyed my town.

So many times.

“Hellena Michaels. You take this man,” he repeats, no longer asking, but commanding.

My entire being recoils.

The deepest fear I’ve ever known bubbles up in my gut. Along with rage, defiance.

Desperation. Despair.

I won't stand for this. I can't stand for this.

Marco is ignoring my lack of response, reaching for my hand to slide that shackle onto my finger.

Fuck waiting. So what if I’m all alone.

My hand slips into Sing’s coat, snatching his gun.

Whipping it around at that bastard's face.

“I do not!”

19

TELL

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