Page 204 of Teacher's Pet

Ana.

Barely moving.

The grip on my gun tightens so hard my knuckles go white, my pulse roaring in my ears. Jake’s gun is still pointed at her head, his finger resting on the trigger like it’s nothing.

Like her life means nothing.

"What are we waiting for?" I whisper, voice raw with restraint.

Roman doesn’t look at me. "You know where to shoot him?"

I glare, saying nothing.

He sighs. "His spine."

I blink.

Roman’s voice is as cold as the night air. "Paralyze the bastard. Make him pay for life in another way."

A slow exhale slips past my lips as I lower my aim, my gun now aligned with the base of Jake’s spine.

A lifetime of suffering. A life spent helpless.

It’s almost poetic.

I hold my breath, my finger tightening on the trigger.

"Breathe," Roman warns. "That’s the only way you’ll make a clean shot."

"I’ll make sure your obituary is beautiful."

Jake sneers, his finger hovering over the trigger, seconds away from doing something he can never undo.

Something I can never undo.

I stare at her—Anastasia.

Bruised. Bleeding. Barely holding on.

Her swollen eyes close, and in a voice so faint, so heartbreakingly final, she whispers the words that break me.

"I love you, Noah."

That’s all it takes.

All it takes for the world to go red.

All it takes to pull the trigger.

The gunshot rips through the air, then another and another.

Three rounds slam into my brother’s back.

Jake staggers, his body convulsing as the impact shreds through him. A choked gasp escapes his lips as he crumples to the ground.

But I’m not done.

I lunge before Roman can give the order, before anyone can stop me.

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