Page 135 of Rebel Heart

He glared at me. “You wouldn’t.”

I cocked my head. “Wouldn’t I? Thing is, you don’t know me at all. You know the scared, weak woman you left on the side of the road. You assumed that’s who I really was beneath it all.” I toed the edge of the hole, sending dirt down into his helpless face. “I wasnevertruly that woman.”

He spluttered as the dirt hit his face. “You’re a weak-willed slut.”

His words washed over me like he was singing nursery rhymes. So much vile, putrid hate spewed from his mouth.

“Is that the best you’ve got? Schoolyard taunts? You know why it’s you in that hole right now and not them? Because they saw me, Caleb. They saw Bliss. They saw that we are more than some spoiled little boy who grew up with too much money and parents who didn’t love him.” I threw some more dirt down the hole callously. “We see you, Caleb. We see every damn thing you’re scared of.”

“I’m not fucking scared!” he screamed.

“Pix,” Fang said quietly.

I glanced over my shoulder at him.

“Kian says it’s ready.”

I gazed down at Caleb and wriggled my eyebrows. “Hear that?”

Reversing beeps filled the air. Kian backed the truck up to the edge so the cement slide hovered above Caleb’s head.

He stared up at the chute, and his face paled with realization. “Wait. No. Wait, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it—”

Kian guided me to the control. “Just push this button when you’re ready.”

I searched his eyes for judgment on what I was about to do. But there was none.

There was none when I checked with Fang and Vaughn either.

Lastly, I turned to Bliss.

I didn’t even need to say anything. She stood well away from the edge, her arms wrapped around herself, protecting her baby.

I’d expected some hesitation. A whispered question, asking me if we were doing the right thing.

All she did was nod, giving me the okay.

I pushed the button.

Thick, heavy cement slid from the barrel, down the chute, and into the hole.

“No!” Caleb screamed. “What are you doing? No!”

But my finger didn’t tremble. I held down the button, watching the cement fall like rain, coating Caleb’s expensive shoes and then his ankles.

In seconds, the thick, sloppy cement covered his knees, and in a minute, it was up around his waist.

“Please!” Caleb screamed. “Stop! Someone help!”

Vincent had his hands in his pockets, watching the pit fill. “Did you know, when you swallow cement, it actually burns? Swallowing cement can cause burns of the lips, mouth, throat, and stomach. Drooling. Difficulty swallowing. Agonizing pain in the intestines.” He shrugged. “Probably feels like being burned alive from the inside out. Unpleasant to say the least.”

Vaughn folded his arms across his chest, his head bobbing in agreement. “Very interesting facts, Vincent. Thanks for sharing.”

Vincent nodded like they were having a conversation about toast.

From the pit, Caleb fought desperately, clawing at the dirt walls, fighting in vain to somehow lift himself above the rising concrete.

It crept higher and higher, until it covered his chest and then his neck. He stared at me with huge eyes, the whites visible right around. “Please!” He gasped, begging me for his life.

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