“I will never abide that.”
I don’t even blink as Achilles’ arm jerks, slicing the blade cleanly through Kyle’s jugular as a torrent of blood pours from the wound.
He’s dead even before Achilles carries me off the boat.
“Stay here a second, baby.”
Achilles steps back onto the boat and disappears into the main cabin. On the dock, my nose wrinkles when I sniff the air.
“What's that smell?” I ask when he re-appears a minute later.
Achilles just looks at me, wrapping one arm around me as he lifts a lighter with his free hand. He flicks it open, the flame dancing as he glances at Kyle’s boat.
“Gasoline.”
My eyes are riveted on the glowing flame as he holds the lighter out to me. Achilles doesn’t say anything. But he nods quietly when I gently take the zippo from his hand.
“I’m right here, baby,” he murmurs quietly.
I run my thumb over the smooth metal of the lighter before my gaze slides to the boat where the monster thatmy monsterjust vanquished lies dead.
With one flick of my wrist, the lighter lands on the deck. Instantly, the whole boat goes up in a roaring pillar of flame that takes my breath away.
I turn, looking into Achilles’ eyes as the fire roars beside us, casting dancing firelight and twisting dark shadows across our faces.
“There’s still so much I have to say,” he growls, cupping my face with a gentleness I don't think I’ve ever felt from him before. “But first, I have to tell you that I love you.”
“And I love?—”
My words fade to a moan as he crushes his mouth to mine, kissing me fiercely as the fire roars, then sputters, and finallygoes out as the boat sinks beneath the water, taking my vanquished demons with it.
43
ACHILLES
“It’s going to befine.”
Yelena giggles as she takes my hand, standing with me at the front door to her parents' Manhattan mansion.
“Funny, I remember saying something like that toyou,” I grunt, eying her as I hear footsteps approach from inside.
She grins at me. “Which is why I’m saying it now.”
I roll my eyes. “Ya-ya is afar cryfrom your father.”
“No argument here.” She sighs dramatically and winks. “He might kill you.”
I know she’s joking, but I still tense as the front door clicks unlocked.
All jokes aside, Nero might.
Kill me, that is.
I mean, I’m at his house, with his daughter, whom I’m sleeping with, and I’ve been dumb enough to let him know ahead of time that I’m coming.
There is a non-zero chance that this door will open, and a gun, blade, or fuckingbazookashoved in my face will be the last thing I ever see.
But if I can make itpastthat part, I do have an ace up my sleeve…or rather, in my left pocket.
