Page 106 of Declan

Interesting. Ash hadn’t known.

“She’s a victim in all of this. The same as you and me,” I said, trying to get through to her.

“Her father killed my family.”

Ash started to turn and my blood pressure was at an all-time high, the buzzing in my ears grew louder, and my chest hurt.

Actually, it ached.

I knew what the need for revenge tasted like. It had been my driving force over the years. It had controlled me, consumed me.

It felt like shit.

“This isn’t right, Ash, and you know it.”

“Yeah? Do I? She was my friend!” Ash screeched.

Oh, fuck.

“Same as you were my friend and lied to me?”

“I didn’t lie, I just didn’t tell you everything.”

“Right. I see the difference. Here’s the thing—no one’s gonna let you kill her.”

“And who’s gonna stop me?”

“I will. I’ll stop you. This isn’t right, and deep down, you know it. I know you—”

“You don’t know me.”

Shit, that stung.

“I don’t? So everything over the years has been a lie? All bullshit. Is that what you’re telling me? All the stuff you said to me at my dad’s house was a lie?”

“Yes,” she hissed. “There is no Declan out there for me. There’s nothing. And it’s because of this bitch.”

And then in a blink of an eye, my world tilted. Ashaki lifted her gun to point it at Natasha. But before she could take aim, three shots rang out.

Three bullets hit her body.

And my friend Ashaki Maloof crumbled to the cement.

I was numb.

Just numb.

Natasha’s scream barely registered. Owen rushing forward was a blur. Declan talking beside me was muffled.

My gaze slid from my friend to Owen crouched in front of a crying Natasha. His hand shook as he reached for her and she reared back out of his reach.

The small room filled with men, voices floated around me, someone touched my forearm, probably Declan, and put pressure on it, forcing me to lower my weapon.

The weapon I’d fired upon my friend.

Then the gun was pried from my hand and I thought I never wanted to hold another one. I never wanted to feel the stippling in my hands again.

I didn’t want this fucking life.