Page 90 of Beneath the Thorned Crown

The bullet slams into his stomach, tearing through him, sending him crashing against the shattered window.

Two.

Blood paints the stone floor, a deep crimson spreading beneath him. His breath comes in shallow, ragged gasps, his mouth opening and closing, but no words come.

Dominic reaches him in three steps.

Samuel's back hits the glass, his head lolling slightly, his body convulsing from the pain. His chest heaves, his face going pale, sweat dripping down his temples.

He tries to lift his gun.

Dominic kicks it away.

And then—he presses the muzzle of his gun directly against Samuel’s forehead.

Samuel stares up at him, dazed, his lips trembling. His breathing is a wet, shuddering mess. Blood drips from his lips.

Dominic tilts his head.

"This is for my family."

He pulls the trigger.

Three.

The final shot tears through Samuel’s skull, his body jerking violently before it collapses into a crumpled heap.

Samuel Delgado is dead.

I suck in a sharp breath, my pulse still racing, my body frozen on the cold stone floor.

Blood seeps into the cracks of the ancient castle, staining it, claiming it.

I force myself to breathe. To believe it’s over.

Then—Dominic turns to me.

His expression softens. He moves fast, dropping to one knee, his hands gripping my face, his thumbs stroking my cheeks. His eyes drink me in, frantic, searching.

"Are you hurt?" His voice is rough, thick with emotion.

I shake my head, unable to speak.

His hands tighten. "Are you sure?"

I nod, my breathing still uneven. "I—I’m okay."

Dominic closes his eyes for half a second, exhaling sharply, his shoulders sagging.

Then—his eyes snap back open, pure, unrelenting fury flashing in them.

"I thought—" He swallows, his jaw clenched so tightly it trembles. "I thought I was going to lose you."

My own breath is shaky. "You shouldn’t have come."

Dominic’s eyes blaze. "I will always come for you."

And then, he kisses me.

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