Page 53 of Wicked Angel

“Though I have to admit, this really is just too perfect.Waybetter than I even planned.” Her angry ranting melted into a sickly-sweet tone. Jackie’s signature smirk appeared, and my adrenaline began pumping harder at the sight of the cunning glint in her deep brown gaze.

Fight or flight. The reflex poured through me, a warning. Did I run, or did I stay? I had no idea how to fight, which looking back, was clearly a mistake. The realization only lent credence to her hate-filled words.

“Better how?” I bit out through clenched teeth. The cold numbness and the fear that had taken hold, transformed into sickening anger. Tears pricked my eyes, but I didn’t swipe at the wet tracks as they started to fall, not wanting to smear my father’s blood all over my cheek. The thought made the red-hot poker in my chest twist and turn, intensifying the pain.

Jackie strode forward, and in response, I shuffled back. There was nowhere to go, though, not with where I was crouched on the office floor. Kneeling, she chuckled slightly and before I could move, she grabbed hold of my hand and lifted it forcefully. Her nails dug into my skin, holding it open as she shoved the handle of the knife into my waiting palm. No matter how hard I tried to yank my hand back, her grip never loosened, her now free hand forcing my fingers closed over the still-warm handle.

“Father’s precious angel, covered in his blood,” she murmured. “And now holding the murder weapon.” I attempted to shove her back, but she only moved a mere centimeter. “What are you going to do,Angel?Stab me? Just like you did our poor father?” she taunted. “You don’t have the guts to kill. Hell, I don’t think you even have it in you to maim. Pathetic, really.”

Enraged, I swiped the blade towards her, slicing it through the air as soon as she let go of my hand, except she was faster. Jumping up swiftly, she missed getting cut by the serrated edge but only just.

“Hmmm, maybe little Evangeline does have it in her,” she mocked. “Too little, too late however.”

“What the hell does that even mean?” I seethed, shoving off the floor so I could face her fully. The weight of the knife in my hand felt odd but slightly comforting in that moment.

“The family business? It belongs tome, not some hitman, and certainly not my insipid, weak little sister,” she spat.

“Gaven will make sure—”

“Will make sure what?” she cut me off, scoffing. “I didn’t do anything. You’re the one who held the weapon, dear sister. All I did was find my father’s poor body, not to mention I stopped you from trying to hurt me too.”

Anger and betrayal swirled in my stomach, twisting my chest and heart into knots. I stood, trembling in both my rage and fear. She was going to pin this on me, force me out of her way by getting rid of our father and me all in one night. I knew Jackie never liked me, but I’d never noticed the pure vitriol in her eyes the way I did now.

“Gaven won’t believe you,” I hissed. My nails dug into my palms as I curled my fingers into tight fists, the urge to punch my sister in the face growing with each passing second. To make her pay for what she did to my father. To me.

She snorted. “Do you have any idea of the connections that I have? Forget the evidence. One whisper from me and it’ll be spread far and wide through the criminal underground whatyoudid to our father. I guess now you’ll finally get what you always wanted—a way out. Now that you’ll be taking the fall for murdering the head of the Price Family, you cannevercome back.”

Yes, I’d wanted an out, but not like this. Notthis way. Not with blood coating my palms and my father’s body at my feet.

“Besides,” she started again when I remained silent, “if you don’t take the fall, then I’ll ensure that Gaven does. I mean, that knifeisactually Gaven’s.” She smiled as she let that little tidbit of information sink in. “He’s gotten so comfortable here at the manor, but now that the big wedding is over, I’m sure he’ll notice it’s missing soon. Although I must admit, I had a hell of a time snatching it from him, but thankfully he was quite distracted by you.” Her narrowed gaze roved over me, making her meaning clear. He’d been distracted by me.

Her words sank into my mind. She’d been smart when she planned this. Of course, with Gaven now married into the Price Family, if our father was gone, he would be the head that much faster—with or without an heir. People would believe her. They would fall for this whole charade. She’d set it up well and she knew it. That was why she’d been so calm earlier when arguing with our father. She knew it’d all be over soon. The thought made my stomach churn.

Gaven was a hitman; killing was what he was good at. It was what he was known for. No doubt, people had tried to persuade my father to choose someone else. It was likely why they’d attempted to stop the wedding in the first place. It didn’t matter that my father had planned to step aside; the moment Gaven Belmonte had become Gaven Price, the only thing standing between him and the entire Price Family Empire was my father. All the pieces fell into place, every well-played move from my sister. Even if I hadn’t meant to be here, I’d fallen right into her trap.

“You saved me the work of sneaking into your room and placing your fingerprints all over the blade,” Jackie said, drawing me out of my thoughts. “I do have to thank you for that.” She tapped her finger to her lips in an exaggerated movement. “Do you think Father’s loyal men would torture Gaven or you first? You are his wife, after all.” A sparkle of triumph filled her gaze, and my face crumbled at the thought.

“Aww, don’t be sad,” she scoffed. “Now we both get what we want. I get the family business, and you get to be free of it. And your newfound husband and all the horrid things I’m sure he would have done over the years are no longer your problem.”

“Because you’re going to kill me,” I snapped, “just like you killed Dad!”

Yes, Gaven could be cruel, but at the very least he was honest about it. Jackie was a fucking snake and I hadn’t seen her until it was too late.

“Don’t worry,” she said. Her pleasant, satisfied tone only fueled my rage. Her features were a mask of pleasure. Her eyes glittered with amusement as she looked back at me. Smug—she was so fucking smug because she’d finally found a way to get what she wanted. “I’ll give you a head start to get away. We aresisters,after all.” She flicked her fingers towards the door and began counting. “Ten … nine … eight…”

Biting down the urge to throw up, I turned and ran. I didn’t stop, didn’t detour, sprinting out the door to make my final move as a Price Heir.To run.

I knew the moment she reached the end of her countdown because a shrill, blood-curdling scream echoed throughout the house. She was a good actress, I had to give her that. Anyone who heard it would no doubt go running towards who they assumed was a victim. I bit down harder, blood filling my mouth as I sprinted.

Weak, my mind hissed. My sister could have the family business. I didn’t give a shit about that. But Gaven … he was mine. He told me as much. If I ran now, then they would all assume I was the culprit. He would be safe. I couldn’t even think of coming back, of proving my innocence. All I could do was flee. It was all I was good at, apparently.

I heard doors opening on the upper floors, but I slowed to a stop next to the front door as I spotted something on the hallway table. It was one of the notepads that had been included in the wedding gifts. A pen lay next to it. It was like kismet. Before I could stop myself, I paused, realizing the knife was in my hand. I dropped it onto the table next to the pad and with shaking fingers, I wrote four words.

Four words I hoped would make things better.

Tears raced down my face. I was an idiot for considering I could find happiness in this life. Those last moments of hope with him had been nothing more than a fairytale. Happily ever after was never meant to be for me.

Despite everything—my feelings, hopes, dreams, and desires—I was nothing more than a mafia princess who’d sold her soul to the devil. A devil I was now prepared to do anything to protect. What a fool I’d been.

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