Page 139 of Angelic Vengeance

“You never fucking had me, Zach.God! Get it in your fucking head and leave me alone!” I screamed, physically forcing my way past him with every single ounce of power inside me.

When I snaked past him, he grabbed my upper arm in a steel grip and pulled me back. Out of pure instinct and body memory, I managed to sneak my way out of his hold and step away with his gun.

There was no hesitation as I pointed the Glock at his head. “Don’t.Ever.Touch. Me. Again.”

He gestured at his chest with his hands. “You could’ve talked to me. You could’ve come to me. I would’ve helped you.”

“Oh, so all of this is my fault?”

“That’s not–” He shook his head, running a hand through his messy hair. “What was I supposed to do when I found out the woman I love was hired to kill me? Meeting up with dirty FBI agents behind my back and keeping a folder full of information no oneexcept herknows about me… I thought you played me. You’re a goddamned assassin, Maria. Do you know how many people want me dead? What was I supposed to think?”

“But you didn’t torture and kill me. No, you manipulated me into a relationship and played house. It’s fucking psychotic! You had no right!”

“Do you think I knew I was going to fall in love with you? Knowing who you were and what I thought you camefor? Every minute we spent together I was thinking in the back of my head,is she pretending?”

“I wasn’t–”

“And I love you so much, I didn’t care.”

“No.” Tears gathered in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. “You pretended you didn’t know me, made me fall for you…” My voice shook with the following words, “Took things from me I’llneverget back.”

His brows dipped and his jaw clenched, because he knew I was right.

“Youintentionallyhurt me even after I told you what I’ve been through. You betrayed me. And now…” I inhaled deeply, fixing the gun in my hand. Pure, red rage flowed through me at the memory of the pain in my heart. “I’m going to kill you.”

I expected him to attack me. I anticipated every move he could possibly make to try take the firearm away from me.

The more silence stretched between us, the more unsureness began filtering through me. Why wasn’t he fighting me?

Nothing.

But then…

Zach swallowed; jaw clenched as he nodded. “I understand.”

What?

I frowned. “Did you hear what I said?”

His ebony eyes pierced mine, devouring darkness in their intensity. He was so relaxed as he slightly shook his head. “You won’t do it.”

I scoffed, pulling off the safety. My heart pounded in my chest.

“You won’t pull the trigger.”

Do it.

“You can’t do it.”

Do. It.

“Because I know you love me.” He took a step closer and I readjusted the gun in my hand. “Feel your heart. Feel it beating for me.For us.”

My breath shook as I exhaled slowly. “Come closer, I’ll shoot you.”

“It would take a very cold person to do that. And that’s not you.”

That’s not you.