Page 26 of Say It's Forever

“You think you have a choice?” He steps out from behind the kitchen island to come toward me.

I’m about to tell him that I know I have a choice, but the next thing I know, Garrett is behind Joseph. It happened so fast I’m not even sure where he came from. He grabs him by the hair and yanks him hard. Joseph’s neck snaps back only to be met with Garrett’s gun to the back of his head.

“Drop it,” he orders.

Joseph releases both the gun and the walkie-talkie. They hit the ground with a loud thud. “You really have gifted yourself to me by coming into our home. I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better gift than this.”

I don’t miss the wordour.

“She doesn’t belong here,” Joseph tries to insist.

To my shock, Garrett releases his hold on Joseph with a shove. He tumbles forward, barely managing to stay on his feet. He spins around to face Garrett. I can see the rage in Garrett’s eyes, but the rest of him is utterly calm.

That’s when I see the blood on his white thermal shirt. I know it isn’t his. Joseph sees it too.

“Where are Ethan and Micah?”

“Micah had an accident.”

The blood drains from Joseph’s face. “What did you do to him?”

Garrett gives a lazy shrug of his shoulder. “He’s not a very good or quick shot. I, however, am rather good with my ax.” He smirks.

“Oh my God,” I whisper, putting my hand to my mouth, knowing that Joseph won't make it out of here alive either.

17

GARRETT

It’s not often that your prey comes to you. He has made my job so much easier. They came onto my land with guns. Cleaning up is going to be a whole lot easier than I’d anticipated.

I try to keep my focus on Joseph. You never take your eyes off the target, but Snow is difficult to resist. I flick a glance her way. Her eyes are wide, her hand covering her mouth. I can’t help but wonder how she sees me right now. Is she scared? Will she see me in a whole other light after this?

Because I did kill Micah. The little shit thought he'd sneak up on me. I knew the second they’d stepped onto my land, setting off one of my sensors. I’d been out getting more wood for the fire. So I set a trap. I grabbed my ax and began chopping away, deliberately being loud. The dumb ass came right to me. I hadn’t even given him a chance to speak. I merely spun around and chucked the ax at him. He went down easily.

Then there was Ethan. None of them appeared to have received any training. I was about to head back to the house to secureSnow, but Ethan came right toward me. Yes, I knew who they all were.

Zero, who I’d reached out to, got me information on Heaven’s Temple. The FBI already had a thick file on them with all the top-ranking members. Lucky me, they all decided to show up on my property.

While Ethan panicked over finding Micah with an ax in his face, I came up behind him. I’m a bit sad that both of them got such an easy death. They should have suffered some. They should have experienced the fear and misery they frequently inflicted on others.

I am, however, enjoying watching the fear and panic wash over Joseph. He thought he could come into my home and take what was mine. Men like Joseph always let their power go to their heads. Their egos get out of control, and they think they can do anything they want without any consequences. It usually works for them because they prey on innocent people, but I’m far from that. Honestly, I can’t blame Joseph. I’d enter anywhere to get my Snow back.

“What, ah—” he stumbles over his words. “Ethan.”

“No dice.” I give another shrug.

“You killed them.” Why he sounds shocked I have no fucking clue. Maybe they believe that bullshit they spout over at Heaven’s Temple that they are untouchable. He is about to experience a startling awakening.

“I did,” I clip out. My tone makes it clear that it means nothing to me.

Joseph's gaze drops to the gun I still hold at my side. “You’re going to shoot me?”

“Nah.” I step forward, and Joseph retreats a few steps. Snow shifts around, so he’s not close to her. I do, however, go over to her. “Hold this for me, baby.” I hold out the gun to her.

I double-check that I clicked the safety into place before she tentatively takes it from me. “You can go to the bedroom with Bear if you want.”

Snow shakes her head no.

---