Page 216 of Vile Boys

“Killing isn’t so easy when it involves your heart,” I say.

“How would you know?”

“Darling, I’ve seen the way you two kiss. You need him as much as you hate the very air he breathes.” I take another step.

“Look at what he’s done to me.” She turns her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. “All I ever wanted was to see him suffer and make him pay for his crime. And I couldn’t.”

I feel for her.

“All the training in the world couldn’t prepare you for what you had to do …” I whisper as I approach her slowly. “I’m sorry.”

I go to my knees in front of her and place a hand on her shoulder, after which she slowly caves into me, crying her eyes out against my chest, and it strips me bare of everything I thought I knew. About myself, about her, about us.

All my life, I have only ever chased fleeting desires, getting drunk on sex and the hedonistic lifestyle we enjoyed. All temporary, waning … until her.

She’s made me fall in love with her by simply existing.

“You stormed into our lives, and I haven’t been able to let you go. Even if you want to push me away right now, I don’t want to leave you when I know you’re hurting,” I say, holding her tight. “I just wish I could make it all go away.”

“Why? Why are you even here when you belong withthem?” she asks, wiping away her tears as she looks up into my eyes.

“I belong to the Tartarus House because I gave my word to Aresafter he saved my life … but my heart … I’ve given that to you.”

A brief smile adorns her face.

A smile so pure it takes my breath away.

She’s taken my soul, and I can no longer call it mine.

That honor belongs to her.

“But I understand if you can no longer be with me,” I say, shattering my own heart for her.

She nods and looks away at the horizon. “I just … want to be alone for now.”

I nod too despite the fact that I feel like my heart is being ripped to shreds.

I know this is for the best.

After all … how could she be with any of us when we’ve enabled a monster?

“Will he still come after me?” she asks.

I shake my head. “He’s made his point.”

“Right. He won.”

“What will you do now? Leave Spine Ridge?” I ask.

She stares out at Crescent Vale City, admiring the twinkling lights. “No. My father always wanted me to complete my studies here. So I will. For him. But I will do it on my own.”

I swallow. “I will always wait for you.” I pull another rose from my pocket, one I plucked on my way here, and I place it down on the grass before her. “When you’re ready, I’ll be there to mend your heart.”

And I turn around, leaving The Edge without a heart to call my own.

Caleb

That night

---