Page 133 of Riordan's Revenge

He dropped to the floor.

I spat on his prone form.

We got out the way we came in, with Shade having kicked through the lower panels of the fence Riordan and I once climbed. The cameras that watched over the garden had likewise been smashed and left hanging. In the car, we wasted no time getting out of the fancy neighbourhood and exiting the city.

Shade had already explained that we’d finish Piers off at the boathouse, and my fingers shook in anticipation.

They also shook at the words I’d just read.

Riordan loved me.

A rush of mixed emotions threatened me, part of fear, part elation, falling into turmoil with the bloodlust.

I found my phone. Read it again. And again. And again.

Goddamn it, Rio.

To distract myself, I clicked on the number that Tyler had sent me and wrote a very short text to my uncle. Just a brief statement that I was Cassandra’s daughter. He’d probably be a terrible person, but the contact was made.

The fact it was off the back of desperation was undoubtedly a bad idea.

I set my head back on the seat, trying to get myself under control. I couldn’t settle. Couldn’t think straight. My mind lurched to Riordan again and again.

I tried to force it elsewhere. To Lottie going to hospital but being okay, to Genevieve’s engagement and Everly’s pregnancy. Those were happy-ever-afters in action, and I loved it for them. I thought about Bronson, caught, the killer removed from the streets. I worried over the problem Dixie had promised to share and her obvious fear. She’d been so sweet and kind to me. I wished I’d had longer to talk more with her, but later, I’d find the time for certain.

Yet again and again, I came back to my boyfriend and imagined the words falling from his perfect mouth.

I love you.

God. I tapped over to my message thread with him. Started a reply. Deleted it. Started again.

Cassie: I’m sorry.

What was I sorry about? My carrying a burden of fear? Doubting myself? For being right? I didn’t know.

I couldn’t finish the text.

Killing Piers was going to be my salvation. At least in that, I knew exactly what I was doing. I’d get lost in removing him from the planet.

“What’s your method?” I blurted.

Shade snuck a look at me. “For the end? I read him his rights then kill him. How fast or slow depends on my mood and the time available. Though now I come to think of it, I like them to see their dick disappear into the river before they’re too far gone. Arran’s the same. Ye can pick your own ritual.”

He drove us on into the dark night, coming down off the hillside to follow the curve of Deadwater River. “I had a message from Struan. He and Riot want us to ask a few questions of our friend in the boot. They think the mayor is up to some shady shit but need details.”

I exhaled, some of my mental capacity returning. Riordan had messaged me the same. I could do that. Torturing Piers would be worthy. He deserved nothing less than a healthy dose of pain, and Riordan deserved answers about his father.

Ahead, a car cruised into an exit off the road. Skeleton crew acting as our support. We entered the car park and climbed from our vehicles. The two crew members set a fire going in a canister then took positions of watch. Shade retrieved Piers from the car and carried him to the dilapidated wooden structure, griping about how much he weighed.

My breathing quickened again.

This was it. It felt auspicious. It felt ominous. I’d do this again and again to rapists and abusers, but I wanted my first to be marked somehow. Important.

I opened the door and let us inside.

Water rushed further on down the dark interior, and the tangy scent of the river tickled my nose. I took a deep sniff then blinked, the odour not right.

There was something else in it.

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