Page 100 of In The Dark
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I’m sorry. If I could take it all back—” he coughs, gasping for air. “She didn’t deserve it.”
“No, she didn’t. But you know what the good news is? She’ll never have to see you ever again. You’ll be burning in hell.”
I stab his stomach, twisting my knife. Hitting his aortic artery is easy after years of practice, and his body goes limp. I wait, watching his chest, and when it rises for the last time with his final breath, I stare up at the ceiling.
Finally.
The knife hits the ground and I almost sprint upstairs. I stop to wash my hands, scrubbing under my fingernails and up my arms until I feel clean. When I do, I make my way down the hall, reaching my bedroom. The second I see Max on my bed, fast asleep with Leo reading a book next to her, I feel like I can breathe for the first time in days.
He locks eyes with me and scoots off the mattress. He collects her mug and moves toward me, knocking my shoulder with his.
“She fell asleep ten minutes ago,” he whispers.
“How is she doing?”
“Better, I think. Still skittish, so I left the light on.”
“Thank you. I’ll take it from here.”
“Anything I can do?”
“Yeah. Don’t go in the basement.” I grin and take off my shoes, heading for the bed. “That’s tomorrow’s project, and I don’t need you and your squeamish stomach making more of a mess.”
“The fucker’s dead?”
“The fucker is dead.”
“Good.” Leo nods and slides out of my room. “You know where I’ll be.”
He closes the door behind him, and I’m careful when I sit on the edge of the mattress. Max jolts awake, her eyes scanning the room before they settle on me.
“Hunter.” She blows out a breath and draws the sheets to her chin. “It’s you.”
“Sorry it took me so long to get here, angel.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is great. Did Leo keep you company while I was gone?”
“Yeah. He showed me your senior year photos. Your haircut was terrible.” She smiles. “You know I like him very much, but you’re my favorite.”
“Good news: you’re my favorite too, and I’m not planning to go anywhere anytime soon. Did Skyler ever text you back?” I ask.
“Yeah. She’s going to stop by in the morning, if that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay.” I’m gentle when I peel back the covers and take my side of the mattress. “Do you want to sleep alone tonight? I can take the spare?—”
“No.” Max is quick to wrap her arms around my waist, her cheek resting on my chest. “I need you here. Please.”
“Then this is where I’ll be.” I kiss the top of her head and turn off the light, relaxing when she snuggles into my hold. “I’ve got you, angel.”
Tonight. Tomorrow. For as long as you’ll have me, I think, forcing myself to stay awake all night, just in case she needs me.
THIRTY-FIVE
MAX
I wakeup to sunlight and warmth surrounding me. I open one eye and find Hunter’s arm draped across my body, his tattooed hand resting on my stomach. I smile and spin in his hold, not surprised to find him awake.
