Page 63 of Cold

“You’re still thinking about how much you love me, aren’t you?”

Vito growled. “Shut up.”

“No, let him tell the truth. Or are you afraid that he’ll come running right back to me?” His grin grew. “Little Romare who was always loyal to me.”

“That was in the past,” I snapped.

“And in your future,” he snapped back. “You’ll always come crawling back to me. He’ll throw you to the wolves as soon as he realizes what a whore you are, Romare. No one will ever love you the way I can.”

“You’re fucking lying!” I shouted.

“Romare, come here,” Vito urged.

“Or you can come to me,” Sergei said, his icy blue eyes ensnaring mine. “Come.”

I stared at him, a wave of emotions crashing through me. Sergei smiled as I started to walk toward him. Until I held up my knife and plunged it into his neck.

“Fuck you!” I screamed. “Everything you made me do was sick. And I don’t need you anymore. Just die already. Die!”

Sergei’s eyes were the size of saucers as I watched the blood pour from his neck. “Th-they’ll kill you.”

“Let them,” I snapped. “I’d rather die with Vito than to be with you for one more second you piece of shit!”

The knife sank into his flesh so many times it was a blur. I finally yanked it free, panting. Arms wrapped around me and I whirled around, ready to stab anyone in my way when I saw Vito’s concerned face. He gripped my wrist and held it tightly until I dropped the knife and it clattered onto the floor.

“Vito.”

“Shhh, it’s okay,” he said as he pulled me close. “No one’s going to hurt you Romare. Ever again.”

I sank against his chest and the bubble I’d been in burst. Every emotion flooded me at once and the sound that left my lips sounded more like a wounded animal than a man. Vito held onto me tightly and swayed back and forth, rocking me as I released every bit of pain that had built in my chest for years.

Finally. I’m free.

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