Page 67 of A Touch of Heaven

I step back out of their way, hitting the cold wall behind me as they run into Nate’s room, and a sinking feeling takes hold of me as I slide to the floor. Darkness is infecting every inch of me.

I watch Chase run into the room, pushing past a doctor, and I hear him scream Nate’s name before an agonizing howl. I’ve never heard him make a sound like that before. “No, Nate, please, baby brother, please no.”

I sit there for a few seconds, listening to Chase beg for Nate to respond as I hear them say they should call it, time of death 4:47 a.m.. I get up off the floor. He’s gone, I know it. That long, shrilling sound shows there’s no heartbeat. The cold sinks into every part of my body and mind, and I know it’s here to stay.

I walk back toward the waiting room slowly, like I’m in a dream-like state. They all stand up, looking at me, concerned. Asher speaks first, “Brooke…I thought you and Chase were…” I interrupt him.

“He’s gone.” Asher goes to grab me, but I push him away.I hear Harper gasp as she slowly sinks into the chair.

“Don’t fucking touch me, Asher.” The venom in my voice doesn’t even register before Jax walks toward me.

“Brooke, don’t.” I glare at him with a look I didn’t think I was capable of.

“Don’t what Jax? Come on, you’re the smart one, right? The one who’s always got something genius to say?” He looks hurt, but I don’t care. My best friend is dead, and I’m done with all of them. “So, say something smart, I fucking dare you.”

He doesn’t because what can he say. I don’t acknowledge any of them after that; instead, I walk out, none of them following me. They know better. I get into a taxi parked outside, telling them to take me to the beach house.The drive seems to take forever, yet no time at all.

They did this, all of them. They lied to me, they went after someone else, and now Nate is dead. I was naïve to think any of us could be happy. He promised me they never left anything behind and they wouldn’t get caught. Rage is filling my veins, anger directed at the man who let his brother die.

I walk up the path to the beach house as the sun is coming up, yet it gives me no warmth as I stare at Nate’s blood staining the sand. I look at it for ages, wondering if it will disappear over time before walking straight into the house. I head to my room, packing my suitcase as my thoughts start forming, and I come out of this haze. I throw everything I find in it before heading downstairs.

As I swipe Nate’s keys, I see Jax’s phone and grab it off the table without thinking before looking at the chaos we left behind us.

This house was cursed for us.

This summer was cursed.

Nate told me this summer was going to change things for us.

Well, he was right, but none of us could have predicted the hell this summer brought us.

I walk back out and into the sun, taking a deep breath and making the decision I need to make before getting into Nate’s truck. I see his hoodie on the dash, his football helmet on the passenger seat beside me. A sob catches in my throat as I pull his hoodie into my lap.

He’s really gone.

Nate isn’t coming back. And our last conversation was me telling him I didn’t want him.

How can I fix that?

I open Jax’s phone, knowing his code, and go into his notes. I find a list of names and addresses.

I knew it.

I turn the ignition, and the truck growls to life before entering the first address into the navigation system.The roar of the engine sparks something in me. I didn’t think I was capable of this type of vengeance.

I’m done being a princess.

I’m done being helpless.

It’s time for me to be a fucking queen, and I swear I’m going to make everyone pay with their blood.

For me and for Nate.

SNEAK PEEK

A Touch of Sin – Coming early 2024 – This is a first draft and may be subject to change upon publishing

I walk into the dimly lit bar, smoke wavering in the air, looking for the guy I’m meant to meet. He’s sitting at the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand, his phone in the other. A smirk dancing over his lips as he taps away on his phone. To look at him, he looks harmless enough. In actual fact, he’s a pretty good looking guy. Dark eyes, dark hair that sits messily on top of his head. Well dressed in jeans, a polo shirt, and a blazer. He looks up and spots me, smiling waving me over. I smile back flirtily before walking over to him, making sure I sway my hips in a sexual way.

---