Page 43 of Undo Me

The closer they got to their destination, the clearer the memories grew in his mind. Blue eyes like the deepest ocean. An unusual upside-down mouth that he longed to kiss. Blood staining her flowered dress as she lay with her throat sliced open beside her sobbing brother.

“Can’t this thing go any faster?”

“Almost there, BD.” Ben revved the vibrating motorcycle, weaving through the pedestrian traffic with a skill he would have admired if he could think.

Bethany needed him. Not the same way Isabel had. She was stronger and far more independent than the girl he’d loved in secret. But in every time and every iteration, she’d always been his.

He had to get to her in time.

The decorative iron gates of the cemetery loomed and he tapped Ben’s shoulder to slow down enough for him to jump off.

BD hit the ground running, threading his way through the aboveground tombs, his feet knowing exactly where to take him.

One journey begins where the last met its end.

Save her. Save Isabel. Save Bethany.

“You haven’t changed a bit,” the oddly unfamiliar voice rang out. “How is that, big brother? I always said your mama made a deal with the devil, but I didn’t realize you had, as well.”

BD stopped in front of the nondescript man who held Bethany against him, a dirty knife to her throat.

His brow wrinkled. He didn’t recognize him, and yet it had to be—

“Antoine?”

“Enough of me to matter. They tried to kill me because of you, you know. Your mother and her friends. Gave me some wasting disease so I would suffer. And I did suffer. But it only made me more determined to hang on to life.” He looked down at himself with a chuckle. “After a fashion. Still, I’ve outlasted them. Beat them. Or thought I had until this morning.”

“Antoine, let her go.”

“I actually felt you. It’s hard to feel anything anymore, and I’ve burned through more bodies than I can count while trying. But I felt your presence. Followed it. I’ve been waiting for you. When I learned that your body had disappeared, I knew I’d see you again. I’ve given up so much to stay here, to wait for this moment, but it’s more satisfying than I imagined. Isabel remembered our anniversary. She’s here.”

“If you waited so long, you must have a lot to say. Put down the knife and we’ll talk.”

“I’m fine where I am.” His grip on her tightened. “You were a big believer in fate, Marcel. A romantic. Are you still? I never put that much stock in it, but as soon as I realized I would get a second chance to revisit my greatest achievement, I decided to rethink my position.” He looked down at Bethany and licked his lips. “I killed you, on a night just like this. The original Isabel. I tasted your blood when I slit your throat. I thought I killed him as well, but he’s like a cockroach, this one. Maybe we should end him first this time, stick around to make sure it takes. Would you like that? To be the finale instead of the opening act?”

Instead of cowering, Bethany sneered. “Go to hell.”

BD was afraid to take his eyes from his woman as she insulted the man who held her life in his hands. “Please, Ant.” He heard his voice crack, but he was beyond caring. “You never wanted to hurt Isabel. She was an innocent. It was me you were after. You’re confused.”

Antoine laughed and the sound was familiar. His brother’s cruel laughter as he watched them die.

“He thinks me feebleminded, Isabel. Thinks he’s better than I am. He says I don’t want to hurt you, yet he sees the knife in my hand. Knows I’ve done it before. Two and two is still four in this century, is it not?”

“A psychopath looks the same in this century, too, apparently. Tell him the truth, Ant.”

“What?” He pretended innocence. “I should confess my sins? That I would have killed you, regardless? That I’d always planned to, even before I knew you were lovers? But he’s so pretty when he suffers, Isabel. I enjoy watching him blame himself.”

Bethany was looking straight at BD as his brother—or whatever that was—spoke, and he wanted to cry. She was trying to ease his guilt? Now? She was his world. He could not fail her again. He refused.

“I remember all the animal remains you were so fond of. Your obsession with death. I never thought you were feebleminded. I thought you were jealous and petty. Arrogant and cruel. And now I know you were also insane. Be a man, for once, and come and fight me like you’re dying to.”

“Dying to.” Antoine cackled. “I’m afraid I’ll have to decline and welcome our new arrivals instead. Come to watch the show, have you?”

From the worried expression on Bethany’s face, Ben and the others must have found them.

Antoine narrowed his gaze as he studied them. “The wedding party? This is your cavalry? And is that... no, it can’t be. I truly do believe I’m dreaming.” He pinched Bethany’s breast and sent them a vulgar leer. “The maid of honor can’t be here to help you, Marcel. She’s the girl who gave me my Isabel on a silver platter. Yes, I think I do believe in fate at last. Ms. Toussaint has been reborn to offer you both up to me again.”

BD heard Michelle’s shocked gasp as he remembered who she’d been.

---