Page 141 of Dead Pretty

And he’s also smart.

What I need to do right now is get that gun off him.

And there’s only one way to do it. Distraction.

Lifting a hand, I press it to his chest.

His breathing stutters.

So fucking easy.

I press my lips to his and kiss him.

Not exactly what I want to do right now—or anytime ever, to be perfectly honest—but needs must.

And I will do whatever is necessary.

Jack kisses me back. I can feel him losing himself in the kiss.

Good. I need him distracted for just long enough.

Reaching a hand back, I locate my knife with my fingers. Curling them around it, I pick it up, holding it in my right hand, while I move my left hand, slipping it down the skin of his back.

When I locate his gun, I wrap my fingers around the handle, and then in one swift movement, I pull it from his waistband and bring my arm holding the knife from behind my back. I turn it upward and plunge the blade into his neck.

The look of shock and confusion and anguish on his face is one that I will remember for a little while at least.

I do almost feel sorry for the bastard.

Almost.

But he was only fucking Audrey to get close to her, so he could free his stupid brother from prison.

He hurt Audrey. So, I don’t feel too bad about killing him.

And it’s not like I had any other choice.

Neither he nor Audrey left me another option.

Audrey will be upset though when she finds out that he’s dead.

But I’ll deal with that when the time comes.

Jack staggers back from me. His hands clutching his throat. His back hits the wall, and he slides down it until he’s sitting, slumped on the floor.

And I watch him.

The way the blood seeps out from between his fingers. Running down his chest.

Jack won’t die just yet. He’s got a few minutes. Maybe more. I didn’t hit a major vein when I stuck the knife in him. Because I didn’t want to.

He’ll bleed out slowly. Which is just how I like it.

This is my favorite part.

“Au-dr-ey … wh-wh-why?” The words are quiet and garbled. He can’t shout or yell for help because of the blood flooding his throat and his lungs.

“Audrey isn’t here at the moment.”