Page 98 of Hell Hath No Fury

They grapple briefly, each getting the upper hand only to have it reversed almost immediately. Finally, after a struggle, Antoinette manages to secure her legs around his waist, her arms twisting around his neck until he’s immobilized. She squeezes, obviously intent on choking him out, but at the last second, he manages to force his hands between them, pushing back as he swings around, slamming her onto her back.

She holds on tighter as he attempts to push off, hanging onto his neck like a monkey. He struggles harder, but she twists and wriggles relentlessly until he finally changes tactics, falling forward with her pushing him away.

He presses closer and closer, her arms weakening slowly. His eyes light up with excitement as he gets a hand beneath her, his arm sliding under her neck.

But then, her legs shift higher on his torso, her arms giving way completely so he falls on her. Twisting his arm down, she pins it between them, then grips him around his shoulders, her other hand fisting in his hair as she jerks his head to the side.

He attempts to rear back, but it’s too late, the positioning of their bodies and gravity working in Antoinette’s favor as she rips into his carotid with her incisors. His eyes widen, and he struggles even harder, but it’s no use. His thrashing only assists Antoinette on her mission to end his miserable life.

“That is so gross,” Agatha says loudly, her arms crossed over her chest. “I am never doing that.”

Lilith shrugs, not even remotely bothered, which isn’t a surprise, given how I previously met her, back in the day. “Don’t knock it, honey. Doesn’t get more personal than that.”

“I hope she’s got all her shots,” Agatha replies, obviously not convinced.

Lilith snickers, and then we all fall silent, watching as Antoinette pushes Dmitri off her, then rolls to her hands and knees, choking and retching.

Tony goes to her, pulls a flask out of his jacket pocket, and hands it to her. “Here. This will help.” She looks up at him questioningly, and he replies a bit sheepishly, “Grain alcohol. Just in case.”

Antoinette laughs humorlessly but takes the flask from him, pouring some into her mouth and swishing it around for a few seconds before spitting it out, then doing it again.

Matt joins them and hands her a handkerchief, which she also takes, then pours some of the liquid onto it and wipes her face and chest. Once she’s satisfied with her cleanup, she stands,hands Tony his flask back, and drops the ruined handkerchief on the floor.

Then she moves to where Dmitri is still lying on his back, not moving other than the occasional gasping breath. She stands over him, expression blank, hands balled into fists at her sides as she says, “You forgot that I am a weapon.”

A choked laugh falls from his bloody lips. “I didn’t forget. I was counting on it.”

Antoinette stares down at him blankly, but he doesn’t move; he just lies on the concrete, bleeding, his eyes focused on her face as he adds, “I’m glad it was you.”

Antoinette remains there for a few moments, watching the life drain from his eyes, and then she frowns, anger and disgust emanating from her features. But she says nothing further, just turning from him and walking away.

Coming to a stop in front of Tony, she says, “Make sure he stays dead.”

Tony nods, looking at Matt, who replies, “Clean-up crew incoming.”

Lilith puts her hand on Antoinette’s arm, and the long look they share speaks more than any words ever could. But then Lilith scowls, pinching her sharply as she says, “For fuck’s sake, Antoinette Hughes, what was that all about? Giving me a fucking heart attack with all your conflicted mumbo jumbo.”

Antoinette smiles brightly. “That was good, right? Y’all totally bought it, didn’t you?”

Now, I scowl and shake my head. “That was entirely unnecessary.”

“You’re entirely wrong on that one, Darius.” Antoinette turns her smile on me, winking as she adds, “He’d already decided today would be his last. I needed him to think there was a chance I’d choose him; otherwise, he likely would’ve taken you with him just out of spite.”

Pressing my lips together, I nod, knowing she’s likely correct in the assumption that he would have ended my life knowing his time was up. A whole new spin on the whole ‘if I can’t have you, neither can my competition.’ Who better to join him in hell than the man loved by the woman he wanted and couldn’t have?

Lilith turns to Matt, her expression suddenly turning sad. “We lost Mickey.”

My stomach sinks, and everyone gasps at once. Lilith puts a hand up, stopping the inevitable onslaught of words and hugs. “We can discuss it later. I just need to know you’ll bring him home.”

Matt nods emphatically, his expression pained. “Of course. He’ll get the burial he deserves.”

Lilith wipes her eyes, saying nothing else before Antonio and Agatha lead her toward the exit.

“You guys good?” I ask Tony and Matt, not wanting to stick them with all the dirty work. Matt nods in confirmation, and Tony waves me off. “Go take care of her. We got this.”

Nodding my thanks, I turn toward where Antoinette was following her mother out, only to find her standing there, waiting for me. I walk toward her, stopping a few feet from her, my hands shoved into my pockets awkwardly.

She searches my gaze for a moment, then sighs, extending her hand to me. “Let’s go home.”

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