I don’t bother with the shooters because my focus is on Emery.
As Havoc warned, she’s on the other end of the room, and when our eyes connect, I swear my soul leaves my body. Tears paint a sheen over her beautiful blue eyes. They’re red and puffy from crying. I want to resurrect these men just so I can murder them all over again.
Emery is standing behind Eli, holding a bloody blade to his throat. The skin around her wrists is torn andbleeding, where she must have ripped her hands free. I’m angry but also so damn proud of her.
Legacy, Havoc, and Venom keep their guns trained on Eli as I lower mine, taking a step forward.
“Hayes.” My name on Emery’s lips releases all the tension in my chest.
Her shoulders relax, even as the blade continues to dig into Eli’s neck.
“You’re here.” A soft smile curls in the corner of her mouth, but it’s sad.
“Of course I’m here.” I take a step forward. “I promised I’d always protect you. Although it seems you’re doing just fine on your own.”
Pride swells as her smile widens. She spent her entire life being controlled, and all I’ve wanted to do is set her free from that. To make her feel like she can embrace that wild side I met on New Year’s. She’s the strongest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
A beacon of light in this bloodbath.
I take another step, and Emery glances down at Eli. Her expression shifts like she realizes what she’s doing.
“I—” She shakes her head, not pulling back. “I killed someone. I killed—”
Her gaze moves to a door at the other side of the room as her voice shakes, and she starts to come down from the adrenaline.
“Look at me,” I tell her. “Just me.”
Her gaze snaps to mine, and she loosens the blade against Eli’s throat ever so slightly.
“You did what needed to be done. You protected yourself. I’m so fucking proud of you right now, freckles. Don’t doubt yourself for a second.” I glance from her to Eli. “This is yours to finish if you want it. But I’m here for you either way. Tell me what you need.”
Emery sighs, hesitating for a moment as she takes in the scene.
Bodies at our feet.
A knife in her hands.
She shivers, lowering the blade and taking a step back.
“I don’t want to kill anyone else.” Her gaze fixes on mine.
Eli sighs, like he thinks this might be done. As if there’s any chance. He’s not walking out of here; it’s just a matter of how this will get done.
Emery holds out the knife, making that decision. “Please do it for me.”
Without so much as hesitating, I close the distance between us and take the knife from her hand. I’d like to spend hours shaving Eli’s skin off his body inch by inch. Instead, I do exactly as my wife asked. I grab his hair and tilt his head back, bringing the knife to his neck and meeting his eyes as I drag the blade across his throat.
He gurgles, his eyes going hazy, bleeding out in a matter of seconds.
When I turn back to Emery, she’s staring at Eli’s lifeless body. But it isn’t fear in her eyes. It’s relief.
Emery throws herself against me. Her arms wrap my neck as I pick her up. She hugs me with her entire body—her whole being.
“You found me.” She shakes, sobbing and laughing all at once.
“Of course I did.”
“Charlie—”
