Page 226 of Irreversible

The gun goes off, whizzing harmlessly into the air.

I make a move that whips us around, so his back is to the rail. Locking an iron grip around his wrist, I shove the gun into his chest. With his other hand still locked around my throat, cutting off my air, I squeeze his fingers and fire.

Shock registers on his face, quickly draining into something else.

His hand loosens, the weight of his body tipping him overboard. But the gun?—

Shit.

I grab at his clothes. Try to pull him back.

Not fast enough. The gun goes with him.

Goddammit.

Panting, I stare at the spot where the body sank beneath the waves, taking with it the weapon I need. Then?—

A sound behind me. Movement.

Another scream.

“Isaac!”

A door swings open.

Then another voice registers. Chillingly calm.

“Hello, Mr. Porter.”

It’s the voice that’s haunted every moment of my life for over a year. The man who ripped my sister from this earth.

The rain comes down harder.

It’s time to end this motherfucking bastard.

Slowly, I turn.

There he is, a multicolored nightmare in a soaking wet suit. Despite my soaring blood pressure, I take a slow breath, assessing the situation.

One of his hands is latched tight to Everly’s upper arm, the other holding the folded end of a broken umbrella. Its splintered handle jabs into her throat.

The real danger is the low railing he’s got her shoved up against. One wrong move, and she’ll end up as dead as the man who just went overboard.

“We thought you’dneverarrive.” Vincent’s voice drips with the same malice as his fake smile. “Right, gorgeous? Your boyfriend is impressive.”

Kill him, kill him, kill him.The mantra sings through my blood.

“Sorry I’m late.” I address the man who’s signed his death warrant a hundred times over. “Your guys did their best, but they kinda suck at their jobs. You should fire them.”

His lips flatten into a line, eyes narrowing.

I bare my teeth in a vicious smile as I gesture at the ocean behind me. “Oh, wait… I already took care of that.”

“Indeed, you have.” Barely controlled rage simmers beneath his casual façade. “Unfortunately for you, I still have the upper hand.”

Everly winces when he yanks her to him, the umbrella jabbing into her skin.

I allow myself a split second to evaluate her. Makeup runs down her face, matted hair plastered against her skin like the sheer dress she’s wearing. Water drips off the hem onto her high heels.

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