Page 97 of Ruthless Salvation

The flame leaped from one dot of gasoline to the next, slowly expanding across him one inch at a time until it found a rivulet that had trickled down from his head. With a whoosh, the greedy flames engulfed him.

In the end, none of us are all that different.

Damyon screamed and flailed like anyone would in his position. His wide eyes pled for mercy in the only way he could, but there was none to be had.

I watched him writhe with zero remorse as the consequences of his actions consumed him.

Present

“I can’t believeyou did that for me.” My words came out sluggish, but I couldn’t seem to break free of the quicksand slowing me down. Everything felt sticky and clumsy.

Shae leaned a hip on my hospital bed and grinned. She was so beautiful with her blue eyes and sharp features that contrasted my own. When the guys told me the plan to dress her up as me, I couldn’t imagine anyone ever confusing us. But with the wig, sunglasses, and makeup to match the bruising on my face, she’d made an eerily good body double.

“Are you kidding? I was thrilled the guys let me participate. Usually, I get stuck on the sidelines. That was the most fun I’ve had in ages.”

“I like you, but you’re a little crazy.” Crap, I wasn’t supposed to say that out loud.

Shae threw her head back and laughed. “I think you’re pretty great, too. Anyone who can get through Torin’s barriers is someone special, that’s for sure.”

“He’s special. Like super special.” My eyes drooped shut, and I had to fight to get them open. “I mean … not like that kind of special. He’s special special.” I wasn’t making sense. I could hear my words and recognize that I sounded drunk, but I couldn’t do anything about it.

“All right, sis. I think you need to get some rest.”

With one last burst of effort, I clasped her hand in mine. “Thank you, Shae. And tell the others. Thank you so much.”

She patted my hand, her eyes softening. “We were happy to help. You’re one of us now, gorgeous. Welcome to the family.”

No energy left, my eyes drifted shut with a long-forgotten sense of peace wrapping me snug in its arms. When I woke again, Shae was gone, and Tor sat in the visitor’s chair beside me.

“Hey, you,” I said with a smile, relieved that my stupor had begun to wear off. “How long was I out?”

Torin was on his feet and at my bed in a heartbeat. “A few hours. How’re you feeling?” He swept his fingers across my forehead, tidying stray strands of hair down behind my ear.

“Better, I think.”

“Any pain?”

“Not really. I’m sure it’ll come. But for now, I feel pretty good.”

The tension in his shoulders visibly relaxed. “I’m glad. I hate seeing you in here.”

“They say how long until I can go home?”

“A couple of days, if there’s no sign of infection.”

“That’s good. Blue Bell will be so worried. We’ve never been apart like this.” My eyes shot open, a burst of adrenaline snapping me wide-awake. “The gas! Is he okay? I completely forgot about it.”

“He’s fine,” Torin assured me calmly. “The authorities have cleared the building to be re-occupied and said that the initial leak was short lived.”

My left hand came to rest over my chest as I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.”

“You don’t need to worry about anything but recovering. I have everything under control.” He took my hand and set it palm up before placing a platinum ring in the center. Damyon’s wedding band. “It’s all done,” he said softly.

A wall of emotions pressed against my chest, making my lungs tingle with the urge to cry, but I refused to give way. I refused to cry any more tears for that monster.

“Thank you,” I breathed. A tear broke free when I looked at Torin, but it was the good kind. A tear of gratitude to be surrounded by people who would risk their lives for me. Joy to know I had my whole life ahead of me and a man who would do anything to ensure that life was everything I wanted.

The beautiful, grumpy bastard muttered, “He shoulda had it worse.”

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