Page 31 of Darkness Falls

"Take this moment for yourself, Callie. He killed Maxton. He hurt you. This is your opportunity to get the revenge you deserve."

I hate how much I'm hesitating.Even after everything this man put me through, the loss of Maxton, being forced to marry and endure Damien, and torturing my mother, it's not enough. He still holds power over me. My emotions still hold power over me. My hand begins to shake, and I look down at the knife. I take a deep breath, trying to convince myself this is what he deserves. I just need to inflict the one final blow to end it all. I can't do it.

"I can't," I whisper, letting the weakness win.

Sebastian steps into me and puts a finger under my chin, lifting my gaze to his. "You can do this, trouble."

I shake my head. "I can't, Sebastian. He's my father. He raised me. Regardless of what he's put me through or what he's done, I'm not like him. I can’t hurt my family."

Sebastian’s eyes fill with sympathy, and he reaches down to take the knife from me. He gently strokes my cheek with his other hand, and I lean into his touch. He's never been this forward with me, and right now, he knows this is what I need without me even having to say it. This one simple act speaks volumes. The fact that he’s willing to do this without me even needing to ask says a lot about him.

He steps over to my father. "Your daughter is one of the strongest people I've ever met. What you see as weakness, I see as bravery and perseverance. She endured you and all your bullshit. You killed Maxton. You abused her. She doesn't need the strength to kill you because I'll be her strength. I will be the final piece she needs to rid the world of you forever." He looks over at me,waiting for my nod of approval, and I give it to him. "Do you want to know what true weakness is, Gabriel?"

Despite his current predicament, my father chuckles. Blood coats most of his body now. "Why don't you enlighten me, boy."

"You have nobody who truly cares for you or what happens to you. When you die, your society will grieve your loss briefly, and then you'll be forgotten. Nobody will speak of you, and this so-called perfect legacy you worked so hard to attain will come crumbling down to nothing. I will ensure it."

He holds the knife up in front of my father, moving it from side to side as my father’s eyes stay locked on the metal blade.

"You're lucky we're pressed for time. What you truly deserve is to be tortured for days on end with no reprieve." I harden my face and step forward to stand at Sebastian’s side. He glances down at me, and I intertwine my fingers in his free hand, showing my solidarity.

"The dead can't speak, Gabriel. How’s that for weakness? You are nothing."

I watch Seb slide the knife across my father's throat. Blood runs from the cut, and my father chokes out one final "fuck you" before his head flops down to his chest. He lets out a few bubbly breaths before the room falls silent, and I know he's gone. It's over, and I should feel bad, but all I feel is relief.

Sebastian looks at me and drops the knife. "Callie, I'm sorry for spending so long blaming you for Maxton's death. It wasn't fair. You lost him too, and the fact that I even put one ounce of blameon you makes me sick. I thought you were exaggerating about how things were for you here. I'm so sorry."

Seb doesn't seem like the kind of person to admit he's wrong often, much less apologize for it, so this surprises me. I gaze up, unable to speak. My body is running on a kind of high with my father not being able to control my life anymore. I'm so fucking grateful to Seb for doing what I couldn't do myself.

"Don't listen to anything he said to you today. He's wrong. There's a reason Barrett and Kyler are both in love with you. You are so stubborn, Callie, but no matter what situation you're placed in, you find a way to push through. You never give up. You don't—"

I don't give him the opportunity to finish whatever he's saying. I cut him off by reaching up to wrap my fingers around the back of his neck and pull him down to me. My lips crash to his, making him groan. He reaches down to grab my legs, pulling me up so I can wrap them around his waist.

"Are you sure you want this?”

Adrenaline rushes through me, and there’s no going back from this. "Sebastian," I breathe out.

I hear a light mumbling sound coming from Sebastian's ear and realize he still has the earpiece in. Before I can tell him yes or no, he responds to the voice in his ear.

"Fuck you, Barrett. You're more than welcome to watch."

My eyes land on the camera in the corner for the briefest moment, and I smile. Sebastian’s hands run up and down mybody. My fingers tangle in his hair. It’s longer than it used to be and I like it. I pull back, and he hisses in my ear.

He carries me across the room and places me down on the metal table in the corner. His hands grip either side of my face as his mouth devours mine. I can feel the hard outline of his cock when his body presses against mine. I let him control every piece of the moment, but he pulls back.

I eye him with concern, and he shakes his head. "We aren't doing it like this."

My brow furrows, and confusion overtakes me. Is he turning me down? What the fuck? Of course, in true Sebastian fashion, he has to build things up and then disappoint me.

"I don't want you to regret this. We can revisit it once we get home if you still feel like you want this with me." His eyes burrow into mine, and I can't help but feel disappointed, even though I should be thankful for his clear mind.

"We should get out of here before someone catches us." I rub the back of my neck and avert my eyes from his. Looking at him feels too intense right now.

He grabs my chin and forces me to look at him. "I'm so fucking sorry for leaving you here so long, Callie. Once we get back, we will find a way to make sure you get your revenge on Damien. Let's get you out of here. Barrett won't stop screaming in my ear."

My heart tightens. Barrett. I can't wait to see him and tell him I love him. I should have said it when he confessed his feelings to me months ago, but he wanted me to think aboutit. Well, I've had months to think about how every piece of me is in love with both him and Kyler.

I grab my father’s notebook, and Seb leads me up the stairs and out of the front door. We slip around the back of the house where the backyard meets the woods and use the trees for cover to avoid being seen. I'm surprised to find the guards that are usually positioned out here either missing or sitting in front of their tree with their heads slumped back, not paying any mind to the world around them.

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