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She told herself that this was a good thing. It meant nothing other than she could move up the timeline for her summons to OZ. Even though she didn’t look forward to Kingsley’s return, she could not wait until this was over and she could get back to a normal existence.

Still, she was bothered by Smith’s behavior. He looked disturbed by the unexpected development. Of course, it could just be what everyone else was feeling. Kingsley’s reappearance meant the dark atmosphere would also return.

“I’m sure Mr. Kingsley will be pleased to see all of you hard at work,” Smith continued.

Serena held back a smile at the not-so-subtle hint that they should head to their workstations. She took one last sip of her coffee and followed everyone out of the room. The instant she entered the foyer, she heard a harsh, hard voice and stomping feet. She looked up to see Kingsley storming down the stairway in what appeared to be a fury-filled race to get to the bottom. His face, which normally was fixed with a smarmy grin or an expression of arrogant superiority, was red and looked bloated. His eyes were bloodshot and wild. He had the appearance of a bomb timed to explode at any second.

Everyone, including the guards, did as she did and stopped and stared. The instant Kingsley’s crazed eyes met hers, she knew this was going to be bad. Had he found out that she’d been communicating with her team? Or was it worse than that? Had someone told him about her meeting with Smith?

Still several yards away from her, Kingsley snarled, “You! You’re responsible for all of this!”

“What are you talking about?” Serena asked.

“None of this would have happened if you hadn’t been here. It all started with you!”

“I don’t know what you’re—” She stopped abruptly when Kingsley pulled a gun from his pocket.

His movements jerky, he pointed the weapon at her. “Getting rid of you will solve a lot of my problems.”

“Kingsley,” she said as calmly as possible, “you need to think about what you’re doing.”

“Oh, I have thought about it, Mrs. Donavan. The whole way here. I had no problems until you entered my life. You’re responsible for everything that’s gone wrong, and you’re going to pay for it.”

“Kingsley…don’t,” Serena said.

“Mr. Kingsley.” Smith stepped in front of Serena and said respectfully, “Sir…if you⁠—”

Kingsley fired.

Time stopped.

Her breathing ceased.

Serena felt warm liquid as it sprayed from where a bullet entered Smith’s head and then exited.

In horrified disbelief, she watched him make one slight stagger and then drop to the floor. Blood pooled around him.

Shock came first. How had… Why would…

She raised horrified eyes to the man a few feet away who was raising his gun again. Rage struck. Fury as she’d never known flooded through her. With the roar of an enraged lioness, Serena threw herself at Kingsley, slamming into him, and taking him down to the floor. Her mind separated from her body, leaving only a vile hatred unlike anything she’d ever known. She felt the impacts of her fists each time she struck Kingsley’s face. She heard his screams and registered pain in her own face from the occasional hits he was able to return. Without conscious thought, she wrapped her hands around the man’s neck, barely registering that his face was turning a deep, dark red.

Three sets of hands grabbed her. When coherency returned, she was standing, heaving out heavy breaths, her hands cuffed behind her. Kingsley awkwardly scrambled to his feet. His face was bloodied, his nose was crooked, and one of his eyes was already swelling shut. She saw the wrath in his other eye and knew he would not allow this to pass without punishment. At this point, she did not care. If the guards released her, she would go at him again.

She glanced down at Smith, her heart breaking once more. He would never have the life he’d longed to have. Never get to work with horses. Never get to experience the freedom of independence or the joy of making his own choices. All of that had been taken away by the monster before her.

She was vaguely aware that about twenty people had witnessed the entire event. Kingsley’s embarrassment would likely make her punishment even more severe. And again, she could not care less. She was only sorry she hadn’t caused him more pain.

“Put her in a cell,” Kingsley growled hoarsely. “I’ll deal with her later.”

She was pushed forward and marched toward the door that she knew led down to the cells. It was where Sean had been held, and in an odd, twisted way, she took comfort in that.

She didn’t resist the men who escorted her. Not that it would do any good. There were now more than a dozen soldiers standing at attention, waiting for whatever orders Kingsley gave them.

She forced blankness to her mind. She knew she was covered in blood—hers, Kingsley’s, and Smith’s. She was also vaguely aware of pain and figured bruises were blooming all over her face, neck, and torso. Kingsley had gotten in some significant punches. None of that mattered right now. She concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Later, she would deal with the sorrow and horror of what had happened.

Soon. But just not yet…

Chapter Thirty-Seven