Page 104 of Carnival
A low chuckle comes from me. Of course it’s the motherfucker. Unfortunately, he won’t be the first man I’ve killed since getting out of prison, but he will be the one I’ll get great pleasure in killing.
My feet are light on the snow, and I try to mask my presence as much as possible, moving in the shadows. I come to a stop a couple of feet away from the dead spot Arlo told me about, taking the earpiece out, and tossing it far away.
The butcher knife feels familiar in my hand. I don’t know how many lives I’ve taken using it. I don’t remember who my first victim was, but I do know who the last one will be. The motherfucker who dared to kiss the woman that belongs to me.
“Gabe,’’ Rose’s whispered words reach my ears, and for the first time in years, I’m caught off guard.
Of-fucking-course.
I didn’t keep track of Gabe much after I aged out of the system, mainly because he took the law enforcement route, and he was never someone I ever wanted to bother myself with. Just like his bitch of a sister, he’s an irrelevant pest.
But the fact that it’s him who kissed my hellion is enough for me to raise hell.
“Yes, Gabe,’’ he responds, his voice low. “You probably don’t remember this, but on the day you were taken out of my house, I promised I’d get revenge on you, sweetheart. And I will. By forcing you to be mine, then making sure the rest of your life is miserable, until I decide it’s time for you to die.’’
I’ve heard enough.
I’m quick on my feet, moving to stand behind him. I don’t hesitate to push my arm outward, then to place the very sharp blade of my butcher knife against his throat. The grip on the handle is tight, and I already sliced through his flesh, just enough for small droplets of blood to trickle.
“Now, now, those are brave words for someone of your irrelevance.’’
He freezes when he feels the blade against his flesh, his back pressed against my front. It’s only now that I realize he’s holding Rose’s chin tightly between his fingers, and if my other hand were healthy, I would’ve broken his fingers, one by one.
“James,’’ he swallows thickly, his Adam's apple bobbing. A low smirk tugs on my lips at the state of distress, his body language telling me everything I need to know. He definitely didn’t expect to see me.
“Gabe,’’ I draw out, my eyes flicking to the right. A loud laugh comes from me, molding with the loud music. Right next to his feet is a mask identical to mine, tossed aside. “My, my, what do we have here? Did you really think a mask would turn you into me?”
“As if I’d ever want to be you.’’
I push the blade deeper into his skin. “Evidently, you do. Getting the same mask as me was no easy feat. I applaud the effort. However, it takes a lot more than a mask to turn you into me. You wanted the woman that I have, too. And you know what?”
“What?” He grits out, desperately looking for a way out.
I inch closer to him, just to taunt him, my face right next to his. “You’re a fucking coward. I saw Rose, wanted her, andtook her. She belongs to me. The likes of you could never have the balls to do such a thing. To claim someone so easily, so powerfully. Because men like you are good at one thing and one thing only — being all bark, no bite.’’
His words fade into the background when my eyes lock on Rose’s. Relief is evident on her face, her shoulders rolling off the tension. A small, almost unnoticeable smile tugs on the corner of her lips, and it’s enough to have my heart go into a fucking overdrive. I’m surprised I haven’t gotten a heart attack.
“You might want to look away, hellion.’’
“What? Why?”
“I told you, didn’t I?” I chuckle. “I promised I’d kill this bastard when I got out. You have three seconds.’’
Rosalie’s eyes remain on mine, a flicker of understanding behind those pretty blues. She takes a small step forward, hands clenched tightly beside her. She doesn’t even acknowledge Gabe’s desperate begging attempts, her attention solely focused on me. Just like it should be.
“Two seconds.’’
My hellion doesn’t falter. Her resolve strengthens, her eyes glimmering under the moonlight. Snow falls on her hair, and she looks like the prettiest doll I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
“One second, hellion.’’
I half-expected her to back down at the last moment, but she doesn’t. She lifts her chin up, ever so slightly, as if to defy me. It sends blood right down to my cock, and it jumps to life, creating a tent in my pants.
I keep my eyes locked on hers, and without waiting for another moment to pass, I pull the knife to the left, watching inpure ecstasy as the blood from Gabe’s throat splashes her face, neck, and chest.
Fuck, she’s beautiful covered in blood.
The bastard writhes for a couple of moments, but I push his body aside, stepping closer to Rosalie. The stench of blood creates a vivid image of my cock deep into her cunt while she’s all red, and I can’t help the way my cock responds.
