Page 70 of House of Soot

My breath comes in short gasps as he advances. The weight of every mistake, every naive decision, crashes down on me. I trusted the wrong people, believed the wrong lies, and now I'm going to pay for it with my life.

"Please. I won't tell anyone. I'll leave Boston. You'll never see me again."

"We both know that's not true." Ronan keeps the gun trained on me as he moves closer. "You can't leave. Your mother's here. And even if you could, you're not smart enough to stay hidden."

My legs wobble, but I fight to stay strong so I can run if I get the chance. "I'll do anything. Please, Ronan. We've known each other since we were kids. I used to bring you flowers from the garden, remember? Fresh arrangements for your office every Monday."

His face remains cold, unmoved. "Always hoping I’d notice you.” His gaze rakes over my body. “Shame I never took you up on it. It might have been fun."

God. How had I ever liked him, wished for him to notice me?

He clicks off the gun's safety. "This will be quick, Jenna. Try to be grateful for that much."

The barrel of Ronan's gun fills my vision. My heart pounds. Time slows. Ronan levels the weapon at my head.

My hand instinctively moves to protect my stomach. My baby. Blaise's baby. Even now, facing death, I can't help but mourn all the possibilities that will die with us. A future I'd barely had time to imagine.

"Any last words?" Ronan asks, his tone casual, as if he's asking what I'd like for dinner.

I try to speak but my throat closes up. Tears blur my vision as memories flash through my mind. Mom's smile, Debbie's laughter in the kitchen, the warmth in Blaise's eyes when he kissed me. All the people I failed. All the trust I misplaced.

Ronan's finger tightens on the trigger. I squeeze my eyes shut, unable to watch death coming for me.

"Time to die, Jenna."

28

BLAISE

Ihesitate at the tunnel entrance, my escape route beckoning. The passage stretches dark and narrow before me, promising safety and freedom. But something holds me back. The image of Ronan's cruel face, the way he struck Jenna, keeps flashing through my mind.

I close my eyes, exhausted by the war between my heart and head. Part of me still wants to hate her. It would be easier than facing these new, protective feelings. Easier than admitting I've fallen for the girl who helped destroy my world.

My fingers tighten around my gun. Jenna may have betrayed my family, but she was just a kid manipulated by a monster. And now that same monster will kill her. I can't leave her to face him alone. Not when I'm the reason she's in danger. I may have failed to kill Ronan, but I won't fail to protect her.

"Fuck," I mutter, turning back toward the wine cellar. The smart move is to run. My brothers are waiting. But a protective rage burns inside me, different from the cold vengeance I've nursed for the last ten years. This isn't about revenge anymore. It’s about protecting what’s mine.

The irony isn’t lost on me that I so effectively broke Jenna’s heart, and yet, I still feel she’s mine. The look of utter horror and hurt from my deception is seared on my brain.

"I didn’t know…" she'd sobbed. And I believe her. That's what burns the most. All this time plotting my revenge against a calculated betrayer, when really, she was just another of Ronan's victims.

But the betrayal in her eyes wasn't just about my deception. It was the shattering of her entire worldview. Learning Ronan’s true nature, realizing how they'd manipulated her as a child. She's spent her whole life serving the family that murdered mine, thinking they were good people. It’s that knowledge that I hope will help her see that I’m her best bet for survival. But first, I need to find her.

I move silently through the darkness, hearing the sounds of shouting and running filter down from above. Ronan's men are spreading through the estate.

I press against a cold stone wall, concealing myself in shadows. Where would she go? Is she in the kitchen? Does Ronan have her already? I can’t risk going up to find out without ensuring my own death.

A door slams somewhere above, followed by urgent voices. They're getting closer. Every second I stay puts me at greater risk, but I move deeper into the basement. I take refuge in a dark corner near the storage area. I pull out my phone when I realize I need to let my brothers know what I’m doing.

Fucked up. Ronan got away. Cover blown. Jenna in danger.

Phoenix responds instantly.

GET OUT NOW

I grit my teeth, shame burning in my gut. Years of careful planning, destroyed in seconds because I lost focus. The moment Ronan struck Jenna, rage took over. Now the Keans know an Ifrinn survived, know we're coming for them.

Can't leave.They'll kill her.

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