Page 50 of One Love

“I suppose I should thank you for the information on Ronan, but it’s about as useful as tits on a fish.” I believe that he doesn’t know anything else. It’s pitiful, but it’ssomethingfor Glitch and Dmitry to work with.

Since when did Dmitry working on shit become normal? I shake the thought away, something to deal with at a later date. Although I would never admit it to him, I’m beginning to kinda like this new normal.

“It’s all I’ve got and all you’re getting.” His confidence is astounding and I almost laugh.

The door creaks open behind me and there’s suddenly a new look in Cook’s eyes. The cockiness has gone, replaced by fear.

He knows he’s fucked. This time, I let myself smile.

“I’m going to keep my promise, but that doesn’t mean that you get to live. Your life is now in her hands.” I step back as he begins to struggle against his restraints, like he actually thought he’d get out of here alive before he laid eyes on Fizz.

“What…you’re…you.” His voice is trembling, full of anger and fear, and the sense of karma that fills me is warming. He’s now experiencing what he made her feel all those years ago.

Fizz tentatively moves into the room with Crank behind her and I see the moment she steels her spine now that she’s face to face with her abuser. She doesn’t say a word, just stands there in silence and lets Cook stew in it. Her nose twitches up and her face contorts into one of disgust and I’m guessing the smell of his urine, sweat, and tears has hit her.

Slowly, I walk toward my oldest Reaper, vowing to learn more about what troubles each of them, because if running from my past has taught me anything, it’s that revenge is fucking tasty.

Fizz, the woman who was never meant for this life but was forced into it anyway; the woman who is loyal to her core, but has been running from her demons her whole life, just like me; Fizz, who is now standing in front of me, about to do something she will never come back from.

I couldn’t be prouder.

Life begins on the other side of fear, and facing it head on is something I wish I’d done years ago. I’ll get my chance when I kill Ronan and get my girl back. For now, this is Fizz’s moment.

“Just nod if you want out. Okay?” I know she won’t take the option, the determination in her face is solid, zero cracks, but the offer’s there. I know Crank will too happily kill this motherfucker if given the chance.

She nods, letting me know she understands, gently touching my shoulder before she begins to walk toward him.

His features scrunch in disgust, but the fear is still oh-so-clear and I fold my arms across my chest, leaning back against the wall next to Crank as we watch.

“So, this is who you’ve been running with, little sis. I did wonder. Shame I—”

It’s over so fast I barely had time to blink. Fizz has pulled out a gun from her waistband and shot him between the eyes. The loud shot is quickly followed by four more, one to each of his kneecaps, one to his dick, and one through his heart.

He’s dead in seconds, parts of his insides now on the ground with the growing puddle of his blood.

It’s a little anticlimactic for my taste. I was hoping she was going to draw it out a little, but considering this isn’t usually her thing, I get it. Over and done.

Fizz places the gun back into her waistband and sighs before turning to face us. There’s a small smile tipping the corners of her lips as she walks in our direction, stopping in front of Crank and looking to me.

“Better?” I ask.

“Thank you.” She tilts her head in respect and wraps her arms around Crank. The tears in her eyes linger at her waterline and he takes a deep breath. “I know you wanted to make him hurt, but he didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as me any longer. And he definitely didn’t deserve my words. I’ll make hoagies for us all on Saturday.” Her smile is still a little wobbly, but I don’t call her on it as she lets Crank lead her from the room.

Relief floods my veins that she’s okay. I care about my Reapers far more than I’ll ever let on. That doesn’t mean they don’t know it, though.

“I guess Fizz isn’t driving the van tonight?” Shoo chuckles, dumping the tools we’ve used today into the box we store them inside before they get cleaned.

“Dick. Binx is on his way in with the chemicals and Tab is about five minutes away with pizza. Get started on the clean up. I need to call our nerds with the Georgia info.”

I lift up my phone and open the door to step out.

“Ournerds, Boss? He sticking around then?” Shoo emphasizes the our and the plural part of nerds, wagging his brows and overstepping his boundaries, as usual, but instead of telling him to fuck off, I surprise myself with my answer before disappearing from the room.

“Maybe.”

Chapter Seventeen

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