Page 262 of Quinlan

A kiss to her forehead and Quinlan’s off. She twists to Aria, doing what she’s been yearning to do over the last couple of weeks.

Flick. Quinlan Spins the Zippo’s wheel. Snaps it close.

“What’s wrong?” I wrap a hand around her nape.

The flames will swallow Aria alive, whether Quinlan adds to them or not. I don’t care about that. I care about what’s going on in her head.

Chin up, smile wide. She looks around at the three of us, returning to meet my eyes. “Together.”

“Together.” Easiest answer I’ve ever had to give.

Four Zippos flick over Aria’s burning head. Four sets of eyes meeting.

This isn’t what I imagined it to be. Me and three other people—mypeople—setting flames to Aria’s skin. I imagined Rome and Damien watching over me. I imagined hatred followed by detachment.

This, how we stand here as one, far surpasses anything I had in mind.

Words likehome,family,peace of mindandrevengeare all inadequate.

I’m whole.

Or more like I will be.

Once we’re finished with Rex.

Once I make sure Aria is well and truly gone. I have to make sure she’s dead.

Have to.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Damien

Acrid stench of scorchedflesh.

Blistering skin turning black under bright orange flames.

Screams so loud they pierce my ears.

For long minutes, I stare at Aria as she’s burning on the chair.

Was that what Liam saw when the flames ate at his skin in that closet? Was this what he smelled? While he was there, burning alive? All by himself?

With that cunt ignoring his screams.

With no one to save him.

A smirk curved my lips when we put the Zippos to Aria’s face. It’s gone now.

The more I watch her face incinerate, the less I feel anything remotely close to satisfaction. To amusement.

Hearing Liam’s story and actually experiencing it are two different things.

Aria’s screams are silenced, eventually. She dies, the motherfucking cunt.

If she were still alive, this would be the moment I killed her. Personally. I’d lock my hands around her burning throat and choke the life out of her.

Identical homicidal energies vibrate from Rome at my side. From Quinlan in front of me. Anger is a living thing between us.

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