Page 153 of The Kiss Of Death
“Checkmate, that’s a pretty badass hacker name,” Miguel said.
“I’m proud of you, man,” Kay chimed in, giving me an awkward shoulder squeeze that made my skin crawl. He always had to push it. Then he hurried over to Sylas, planting a kiss on his mouth. “And I’m proud of you too. You’re a leader who got us all in the same room without murdering each other.”
Oblivious to what had happened, Frederic offered me his hand to shake. “Thank you.”
I shook it, then watched as Archambault shook Kay’s hand next. Everyone was winning today.
With a deep exhale, I sauntered out of the room, away from that sickening happiness.
I finally did something right.
I wasn’t fucking powerless.
I slammed my head against the wall, and I stilled the trembling of my right fingers with my left hand. A twisted chuckle escaped my lips. I could feel the rush of true power coursing through my veins, and I had no intention of letting it slip away.
I knew exactly what to do with my life.
The blackness that obscured my future had been removed.
I’d become the biggest bully of them all.
I’d dismantle the monsters piece by piece because only a monster could truly defeat another.
“The group of mercenaries known as Los Calaveras was apprehended on the Strait of Gibraltar by the French army, in possession of a combat drone from Mercier’s enterprise, who has today faced questioning on the case. One of, if notthemost wanted mercenary group in the world was finally stopped, thanks to a silent hacker named Checkmate who collaborated with the French army. Defense Minister Frederic Archambault will provide further details about this covert operation,” the female news presenter announced.
As the images flickered across the screen of my phone, the knot in my heart tightened. My father’s confession unfurled on the news, revealing the faces of the murderers, finally unmasked and exposed to the world. I could put a face to the shadows that had haunted my life. They were no longer monsters lurking in the dark. They were just men.
“Mom, it’s over,” I murmured, crouching beside the plaque bearing her name in front of the opera house. My fingers traced the engraved letters on the cold stone. “They’ll never hurt anyone again.”
The wind stirred, tousling my ribbons. My grip tightened on the hard stone, my arm trembling and my knuckles turning white as if I could crush the plaque or more likely my bones.
“Los Calaveras,” I breathed out their name for the first time in ten years, the syllables heavy with the weight of years of fear. “They’re just a memory now.” I shut my eyes, the horde of skullmasks watching me play morphing in the darkness behind my eyelids. “A memory I’ll have to face if I want to accomplish our dream, Mom. I’ll be strong too, you’ll see. I—”
“Dalia?” Sylas’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I slammed my eyes back open. “Are you okay?”
I wiped away my tears, straightening my posture as I rose to my feet. Chin lifted and shoulders squared, I asked the question we both knew the answer to. “Checkmate… it’s him, right?”
I knew in my heart Levi was the one catching them.
It could only be him.
He’d avenged my mother’s death. I had healed him from the ghost of his mother, and in return, he had vanquished the monsters of my nightmares. How could my heart not beat for him after that?
“I couldn’t tell you,” he said, his blue eyes landing on me with pity. “Your security depended on it.”
I swore to myself I wouldn’t be the sad little girl anymore. I’d be as strong ashe, Checkmate, was. “So you’re like what, friends, now?”
“No way.” He grimaced, taking a hesitant step closer. “I’m sorry about your father. He risks some serious jail time for what he did, but we’re here for you. Whatever you need.”
The legal process would take a couple of months, maybe years. In the meantime, since we had a good lawyer, he was placed under home detention. My heart contracted even more. I still wasn’t ready to face him.
“He got what he deserved.” I gulped. “How are things with your father?”
“Better, surprisingly. Turns out being useful to him has its perks. He even forgot I was gay for a solid hour and actually congratulated me.” He chortled and passed a hand over his golden hair. “He offered Levi a job as a cybersecurity engineer. Needless to say, Levi turned him down.”
I offered him a smile, though my mind was preoccupied with my phone buzzing in my pocket. I took it out; Grandma had messaged me.
Grandma: I am okay, dear. I’m stronger than any scandals thrown at me. I’m so mad at your father for keeping the truth from us. Did you know he and Levi collaborated? But you didn’t hear that from me. Since he’s at home, I promised I’ll cook him meals worse than the ones in jail, but he’s moping right now. How is your heart, my flower?
