AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thank you, Sia. I thought I’d be lost for a long time once I ended Joey’s life so effortlessly. You gave me purpose again, even if for a short while,” Leandro says his goodbye.
My jaw is so tense I feel it might snap in half. “Arnold, don’t.”
He takes another slow step forward despite my warning. “I’m not risking us dying here, Lesi. He could have a sniper on us any minute.”
Leandro just sits there. He’s said his piece, which terrifies me more. All that’s left is action.
I think of how close I came to pulling the trigger on him back in his car. Even though he terrorized me in my home, I just couldn’t do it. Why? I didn’t know then. But I do now.
“No sudden movements!” Arnold warns as he takes one hand off his gun to pull out a set of cuffs.
You freed me. Not physically, but mentally.
Now, I will do the same.
Chapter 25
Leandro
My body is calm as the reaper approaches. He doesn’t know it yet, but one of us is going to die.
I sit with my back to him and Alessia, letting their actions decide my fate. Of course Arnold isn’t going to walk away after revealing himself, so his action is decided.
But Alessia…
Another misty-breath exhale escapes me.
I’m comfortable with the outcome. If Alessia wants me to stay, I will, for her. But if it was all an act, so be it. If she can’t muster the courage, so be it.
I take one last long inhale, knowing Arnold is only a foot away.
The price of spending this life with me, is taking another’s, Alessia. I understand if you cannot do it. I won’t judge your reasons. But either way, it’s time.
“I told you, Arnold. I won’t be coming quietly.” I flex hard, cuing those behind me that it’s time to act.
Bang!
My ears ring as I turn.
Blood streaks across my face, burning my eyes.
His blood.
My hands automatically go into motion. I grab Arnold’s wrist and headbutt him for good measure. His mouth is open, eyes dazed in disbelief.
“Lesi.” Arnold doesn’t even fight me as he falls into my grasp.
I chuck the agent to the floor, holding only his gun. And Alessia drops hers, clasping both her hands over her mouth. Her belly concaves inward as a terrible soundless cry escapes her.
Chaos is beautiful, in a dark sort of way.
I step over Arnold as he looks around, lost in his dying moments. Blood pools over his belly. I now see clearly that the bullet went right through him. Surprised it didn’t hit me, if I’m being honest. But I’ll chalk that up to fate as well. Marissa wants me to stay. Alessia wants me to stay. So that’s what I’ll do.
The agent’s pistol is warm in my hand. He was nervous, down to the very end.
“It could’ve gone either way.” I lock eyes with him, aiming the gun straight at his forehead. “This will be the first life I take selfishly,” I tell him. “Alessia made her decision. Now I choose to stay, for her.”
Bang!
