Page 92 of Sweet Lies

Elijah, Logan, and Alex circle us while Andre stays in his position, not breaking eye contact.

“Release her and let’s finish this on our own,” Elijah says, his eyes locked on his prey. His gaze promises death.

Sebastian laughs. “No. This started with us all; why not let it finish that way?”

Logan speaks next. “What I don’t understand is why you didn’t stay hidden. You could have disappeared; instead, you came after us. You had to know this was the only way it was going to end.”

“I knew you would come. I knew I would always be looking over my shoulder.” Sebastian’s voice is laced with paranoia.

“You could have come to me with the money problems,” Logan responds, stepping closer.

“Not another step or the bitch gets it,” he hisses.

“You won’t hurt her,” Andre answers, taking a slight step forward. “She’s your only leverage. You shoot her, and you lose that.”

“I have nothing to lose,” he mutters.

“You have lots to lose. I’ll make sure of that if you don’t take your hands off my sister and lower that gun,” Elijah orders in a tone that would have most men pissing themselves. If he wasn’t my brother, I might have had an accident myself.

Sebastian seems to be speaking to Logan now. “You would never have helped me.”

“I would have. You told me you had everything under control.”

They’re trying to get him distracted and second-guessing himself. It’s a good tactic, but I have a feeling it won’t work. Glancing at Andre, I see he’s thinking the same.

“You lie. You gave up on me the moment Dad died. You started working with Alex, and that was the end.”

“I gave you multiple chances to make improvements. I tried to get you involved, and each time you fucked up. Take responsibility for your life. Let her go and face your choices,” Logan urges.

Elijah gives me a look, and I know soon it will all be over.

I close my eyes and let everything slip away. I ignore the feeling of the gun against my side and think about my life and everything that led to this moment. This started with the Regio line becoming bloodthirsty and power hungry; it’s fitting it will end in a similar way.

We all take a collective breath. The silence has a life of its own—till the sound of gunshots fills the room. Sebastian yells in my ear and I feel his gun lowering slightly.

Taking the opportunity, I leap forward out of his arms—not out of danger, but at least I’m facing it on my terms.

Glancing back, I see that he’s been shot. Elijah has him in a headlock, and Andre has taken the gun from him. He’s been shot in the leg, as well as in his shoulder and back. Logan is bleeding from a side wound, but it doesn’t appear to be fatal.

Sebastian wriggles in Elijah’s strong grip, but I know he won’t let him go.

Sebastian’s eyes are that of a caged animal. I know that feeling. But Elijah’s eyes are hard, as are Andre’s and Alex’s. Logan’s, on the other hand, have taken on an edge of sadness. This is his brother, after all, but he knew the moment Sebastian touched Claire and me, it was over.

All eyes turn my way, and they all have the same question within them.

“He’s mine.” I’m amazed at the calmness in my voice. It’s fitting he’s the last person on my list. I’d let the list go when I decided to put everything behind me, but I’ll return to it just for him. He was the start of my hell, and he’d brought me back into this life. Yes, very fitting.

Sebastian’s eyes are full of hatred. “I won’t beg,” he spits.

I reach out toward Andre, and he hands me his gun.

My grin is cold. “Good.” Lifting the gun toward his head, I add, “This is better than you deserve, but I’ll take satisfaction knowing you won’t draw another breath.”

The metal trigger feels familiar as I pull it, and the bullet bursts free with a bang. In a single second, he’s dead and gone, no longer the monster under anyone’s bed.

I hand the gun back to Andre, turn on my heels, and leave the room without a shred of regret. Bodies litter the hall and the stairway. Blood is staining my shoes, and I feel the sudden urge to clean them and make them look perfect again.

“Hey.” Andre’s voice invades my thoughts as his arms slide around my front, pulling me in close. “It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.”

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