Fifty-One
Charlie
Jo stood beside me, her arm wrapped tightly around me as we stared at her uncle.
“I can’t believe he’s dead,” she whispered.“I can’t believe you killed him.”
My lip trembled as the realization hit me.
I had killed him.
I took a life.
I committed murder and enjoyed every second of it as I tortured the man who threatened to take everything away from me.
“Jo, I’m so sor—” I started, but stopped when she pulled me into a full hug and wouldn’t let go.
“Don’t you dare apologize,” she said.“Charlie, you don’t ever apologize for what you did.You did the world a favor by getting rid of that evil sack of shit.I will forever be grateful for what you did.”
I nodded, and when we finally pulled away, I brushed the tears from my face.
Ashley and Lainy came and joined us, both putting their guns away as a calm silence washed over us.It felt like things were finally okay, and I didn’t have to worry about anyone hurting Molly or me.
“We should get going,” Jo said, finally breaking the silence.“It won’t be long until others from the organization get here.We don’t want to be here when they do.”
As we were headed outside, this time through the front doors instead of a side door, a man entered, forcing all of us to stop.I reached for the gun I had taken from Axel at the same time everyone except Jo pulled theirs.
“Easy,” she said, lowering her hands as she glanced at us before walking over to where he stood.“It took you long enough to get here, you asshole.”
She shoved him, but he just pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
“I was busy,” he said, neither of them bothering to fill any of us in on what was happening.
I looked at Axel, but he just shrugged and shook his head.
“Busy with what?What could have been more important than dealing with this?”
