AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My arms spread out at my sides, my attempt to keep Delphine as hidden behind me as possible. Being human, there’s only so many bullets I can take before I go down and she meets the same fate.
We’re screwed.
“NOBODY MOVE!”
Brenda emerges from the elevator looking like she’s been through hell. Her hair’s disheveled and she’s got blood smeared across her face and neck. She’s on her feet and moving though. Even more importantly, she holds up her arm and shows everybody what she’s got on her.
My remote.
My backup plan to the many other backup plans.
The remote is rigged to the explosives throughout the building. Including the ones on the first floor in the lobby.
“Brenda, don’t!” Delphine shakes her head.
Brenda merely smiles, then turns to Lucius and his men. Her thumb hovers over the button in warning. “Remember when your club bought me? I was only fourteen. Your men put me in a cage. Many of them took advantage of me. Then the mayor did.”
“I’ve got no clue who the fuck you are!” Lucius snaps, teeth gritted. “Put the fucking remote down, you crazy bitch!”
“You’re right,” she says, smiling wider. “Iama crazy bitch. Which is why I’m going to take you down. Even if I go down too.”
“Brenda—”
“Delphine. Salvatore. Run.”
It’s all the warning I need. Brenda presses the button.
I’ve got Delphine by the arm, barreling for the lobby doors. The bomb goes off. The world around us upheaves itself ’til it feels like nothing’s stable anymore. Not even the earth. Glass shatters and entire floors and walls begin crumbling. The flames roar and engulf the lobby.
We spill out onto the city street, barely escaping the brunt of it. Cut up by flying shards and with ears ringing, but we make it out.
Lucius is not so lucky.
delphine
2 weeks later…
“Happy New Year,” Salvatore says. He stands in the doorway, backlit by the hallway light. He pads into the room with unhurried footsteps, taking his time on approach.
I push myself up, heavy-lidded and drowsy with the book I had been reading still in my lap. I must’ve fallen asleep without even realizing it.
In the past, I preferred celebrating a New Year—attending a celebration of some kind or even an intimate gathering at home. Last year I spent the occasion alone in a hotel room mourning the death of my relationship with Salvatore.
This year, when asked how I wanted to spend it, I said doing nothing.
For the first time, I had no desire to celebrate the holidays. A normal, quiet night at home, ignoring the occasion altogether, was more appealing.
Normalcy feels like a luxury given the past year and a half.
Salvatore stops by the accent chair I’m seated in and takes the moment to peer out the window at the flurries of snow drifting in the night wind.
“You missed your favorite part, the ball drop. I almost woke you up. But you looked like you were getting some good sleep.”
I give a shrug and clap shut the book in my lap. “I’m probably the last one who needs it. You could use some though.”
“Sleep’s never been high up on my priority list. Except…”
He trails off, his jaw tightening. Despite the steep shadows engulfing most of the room, I can make out the outline of it. Tension sets in, the masculine shape more pronounced even from a profile view of him.
