Page 175 of Innocent Intentions

“Please! I swear I don’t know anything else!”

I circle around to face him.

“Is that everything?”

“Yes,” he sobs. “Please. Let me go.”

“Good.”

I raise the torch and begin writing.

M

A

R

G

O

T

Burned into his chest.

His howls echo, but I don’t stop.

“Now that you’ve punished me, you’ll let me go?” He begs.

Roman steps forward.

“No, you piece of shit. You hurt Margot. You fuckingsoldher.”

He punches the center of the burn. I hear ribs snap.

Roman walks behind him and returns with a tub of gasoline. Ronald sees it and starts begging again. Sobbing. Roman pours it over him like a baptism.

“I figured this is your new M.O. Do the honors.” He nods.

I step forward, inches from Ronald’s face.

And inhale the pungent smell of gasoline.

A scent I’ve come to love when it’s turning to ash those who stand between me and Margot.

“Enjoy hell.”

I bring the torch to his face and squeeze the trigger.

Flames engulf him.

His screams fill the warehouse.

But they don’t soothe me.

Not yet.

Not until Margot is back in my arms.

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