Page 271 of Quinlan

My friends share my rage. Our sweet Quinlan shares it.

Blades slice through the air. Every unharmed piece of Rex’s skin gets cut, sliced, torn open. I do what I’ve dreamed of for too long, delve my hand into his chest. Wrap my hand around his heart.

The organ that somehow keeps Rex alive beats slowly. Weak, like the motherfucker who ruined so many lives. Useless piece of shit.

I squeeze it tighter. “This is for you, darling.”

No one’s moving a muscle as they stare at me. As they watch me bend my elbow and tug at his heart.

“Jagger.” Another squeeze. Another harsh glare at the man who’s been reduced to a human colander. “Laurel.”

Quinlan pushes her hand through Rex’s body, cupping my hand. Destroying his heart with me.

Her gray eyes have never been more beautiful than they are at this very moment. Her intensity steals my breath away. Gives me back a piece of my humanity back.

“For you,” she growls.

Liam’s palm comes on top of hers. Rome places his on top of Liam’s.

“For you,” they repeat.

Air surges into my lungs. A sense of reckoning. Of closure.

I milk the life out of what remains of Rex’s heart. My fist closes in, and I smile.

I smile because I killed him.

I smile because I got my revenge.

I smile because my life can finally start.

The worst is behind us.

I’m home.

EPILOGUE

Rome

“Can I get yousomething to drink, Ms. Palmer?” Sadie, the flight attendant, smiles at Quinlan first. “A mimosa, maybe? I squeezed the orange juice myself right before you boarded.”

Our private plane boarded fifteen minutes ago. We’re flying domestic, going to meet Liam’s parents like we should have months ago. They were busy with work.

We had other matters to attend to.

First, we waited for Jagger and his girlfriend to return from their vacation around the world. We lent them the plane for as long as they liked.

Damien’s foster brother had helped us in more ways than one. Even if he didn’t, it wouldn’t have mattered. He’s a part of the family. We have more money than we know what to do with. He could’ve asked to borrow the plane for five years and we would’ve still said yes. Gladly.

But Jagger didn’t need years. The couple had spent a month in Southeast Asia, then traveled to Paris, where he met with Anneand Nick, Laurel and her husband. They were excited to meet Quinlan. Laurel went as far as to deem Quinlan her new sister.

It’s a second sister Quinlan has now, since Anne claimed she’d licked her first.

Damien, Laurel, and Jagger had some alone time on that day we spent together. The three of them had conversations they couldn’t have over the phone, no matter how secure our lines are.

We celebrated. We had fun.

Then we came back home.

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