Page 36 of Crimson Flames

I have this desire, no, this craving, to bend her to my will. I want her submission. I want her to wait for permission to speak.To sit quietly like my little puppet until I need her to help cut down my enemies.

“I’m coming for you,” I say into the camera, “my perfect little doll. All of you.”

Stepping back, I click a button. Knowing I only have ten seconds or so, I look at Donovan.

“Everyone needs to see what happens when you cross Ronan O’Brien. I am only partially sorry that you are going to be the example for all of them.”

He attempts to stay still, only the flex of his jaw giving away his anger. I am not one to prolong torture. It has a purpose after all, and Donovan has already fulfilled his.

By the time I make it past the steel door, the ticking down begins. I let it shut behind me so that I don’t harm my ears in the adventure as Donovan O’Neil falls.

His daughter is next. Except with her, I won’t send her falling into the pits of hell like her father. Instead, she will fall to her knees, just for me. Just like the perfect doll she is.

Nessa is mine, till death do us part.

Chapter 14

I confided in Laney and Evie that I wanted to bury Aiden in our garden. There’s this beautiful area with wildflowers that feels right for her. When I was pregnant, I would stare out of the window in my room at it, admiring the way all of the colors floated around in the wind.

I’ll be able to see her from inside or outside anytime I wish, and there’s a small gazebo that will keep her headstone safe from the elements.

Evie asked to organize it, and I gave her my blessing, still too emotionally raw to deal with the planning. Doc let me comehome with strict orders to stay in bed. He said he’ll be coming by once a day to check the wound and ensure my pain is well managed.

It’s not the physical pain I worry about though. Dr. K said she will talk with me after the burial, and I agreed that I needed the time to think and get settled.

But now, the sun is beginning to set, and it’s time to say goodbye to our girl. Seeing the picture of her in my arms hurt in ways I didn’t even know was possible, but it also gave me some relief. She felt my skin under hers, and my body had a chance to say goodbye. Now, so does my heart.

Cillian walks into the room with a wheelchair, Doc’s orders, and Boris helps me into it. We’re all quiet, the mood in the atmosphere somber and gray.

When he pushes me to the garden, fairy lights twinkle all around. They light the way to a small but beautiful headstone and surround a tiny spot in the ground where fresh dirt lays. A knot forms in my throat the closer we get.

With each second that passes, I’m tempted to tell Cillian to stop and turn around. But Boris holds my hand tightly, grounding me. I know I can do this so long as they are by my side.

Alexi, Evie, Lev, Damien, Laney, Havoc, and Arrow all stand to one side while Dr. K, Doc, Akio, and Adrian stand on the other. I expected Kai to be here, but maybe this is too much for him, which I fully understand.

Cillian wheels me so that I’m right in front of them all, looking at the headstone we chose together.

Here lies our little flame. May her embers burn forever in our hearts.

Tears fall down my cheeks as I read it over and over and over.

Aiden Kelly-Mikhaus.

I cover my mouth as a sob breaks free, and my family, all of them, instantly surround me. Hands are on my shoulders, my legs, stroking my hair and holding my free hand in theirs.

It’s overwhelming, yet comforting. They stay with me until my tears slow and my breathing evens out, which seems like it lasts a lifetime. Evie reaches out, handing me a candle.

“It felt fitting to say goodbye to her like this. She will never be forgotten.”

I take the candle, unable to say anything as I nod through blurred vision.

Alexi approaches with a lighter.

“We wanted to show you something,” he says as he holds out his hand. Just under his ring finger, there is a small tattoo. A black outline of a flame.

My lips tremble as I look up at him, a small smile forming on my face. He kneels in front of me, rare emotion brimming in his eyes.

“She will live with us forever.”

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