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“It’s too late, whore. For all of you.”
Suddenly, fire trucks appeared, unrolling hoses, and blasting sheets of water at the front of the house. The second the flames around the doorway grew less ferocious, Ethan vanished into the rubble.
“Keep the water on the door, please. There’s someone trapped inside,” I begged the firewoman closest to me.
“It’s what he deserves. It’s what they both deserve. Maybe if the world sees what happens to sinners like you, they’ll be less likely to do the same. It’s the dawn of a new era,” Hazel’s abuse poured from her like poison.
I stared up at my home, engulfed in fire, having swallowed up both my husbands, while my body screamed in pain because of what Amos did to me, firing up the rage in my belly so it burned with more intensity than the flames. I stepped forward, pushing the gun against Hazel's forehead, watching her face crumble, all her bigotry and bravado vanishing as the barrel pressed harder into her skin.
“On your knees. Now.”
Shaking her head, she hardened her glare. “I’m not getting on my knees in front of you, whore. I'm worth more than that.”
I clicked the safety off, grateful I knew what to do after I'd watched far too many crime programs. I pressed harder, forcing her head backward until she submitted, shuffling to her knees, still holding onto her arm where I’d stabbed her. “I am not a whore. I am a princess and if I tell you to kneel, you’ll do as you’re fucking told, you psycho.”
“Go on, kill me. It’s just another reason you’ll rot in hell,” she spat, staring up at me.
“Ah, Hazel, you don’t need to worry about Ivy killing you when you have me here to do it for her.” Out of the shadows stepped Thomas, dressed as always in his dark suit, tie, and pocket square, looking like he was going to a business meeting, but with a handgun aimed at Hazel.
“Get off your fucking knees now, and start walking. If you try to run, I will shoot you in a heartbeat. And just so you know, you have no idea what sin looks like until you’ve looked me in the eyes. Let me show you just how dark the darkness can get.”
Melissa moved to pry the gun from my fingers, wrapping her arm around me, just as something else in the house exploded.
“Grayson? Eth?” I screamed, trying to run for the door.
“No, Ivy. I need you to stay here. There isn’t anything you can do. Let them do their job.”
I leaned into Melissa and fell apart.
“Lissa, I’m taking this one to the police, and then I’m going to check the grounds to make sure there are no more surprises. Are you okay here?”
“Always, T.”
He nodded at the gun she’d taken from Hazel. “Is it loaded?” She checked, nodding, before slipping it into the waistband of her fitted jeans, looking like it belonged there. “If anyone comes near you, shoot first, ask questions later. Understand?”
“Understood. Go, I’ve got this. I promise.”
As Thomas pulled Hazel away, I turned my attention back to the front door, where both my husbands had vanished, while hoses flooded the house with water. As I watched I couldn’t help but think that, with every passing second, the chance of me seeing either of them again was getting less and less.
I turned my head and vomited violently on the grass as Melissa held my hair and rubbed my back.
Suddenly, shouts erupted, and Melissa whispered my name. When I looked up, I saw a figure, large and commanding against the smoke and flames. I ran, not caring about my injuries, just needing to be closer.
There was Ethan, clothes torn, blood dripping from his hands, his face black from the smoke. But then he leaned forward, and I cried out as I watch him pull Grayson from his shoulder, laying him out on the grass as paramedics ran towards them.
Eth staggered backward, rubbing his arm over his face, before staring down at his hands. I didn’t know where to go first, so I moved to Ethan while they worked on Grayson.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“I couldn’t have left him in there, princess,” he husked out breathlessly.
I stepped toward him, waiting for him to hug me, but he didn’t move. And then I saw why.
Ethan’s hands were ripped to shreds as if he’d lifted every piece of roof that had fallen on Grayson, digging his way to him. Blood pouring from deep, open wounds.
I tried to stifle my sobs as I reached for him, worried about hurting him with my touch. It was then I saw the burn on his left arm that stretched from his wrist to his elbow, red, blistered, and charred black in places.
“Eth?” I cried.
