Page 140 of Angelic Vengeance

But it’s all I’ve ever known.

Hot tears ran down my face. I took a hand off the gun to quickly wipe them away.

“You’re not what you pretend to be. You’re not heartless. You’re not evil.”

“Zach…Stop.”

He stepped closer. “You care about the people you love and you love them the hardest. You’re beautiful, and smart, and strong;so much stronger than I could ever be.”

I pressed my lips together as silent tears burned streaks down my cheeks.

“But you’re not cold. You have the biggest, purest heart out of all of us.” When Zach closed the distance between us, the gun in my hand tipped up, pointing under his chin.

His breath fanned my face and for a moment, I felt my wet cheeks dry. His hands came up, cupping my face, and the feeling was so comforting, I fought to not close my eyes. Pushing the hair out of my face, he wiped away my tears, which only made more fall down.

“You’re the most sensitive person I know, and Ilovethat about you.”

I felt my lip tremble. His thumbs wiped away tear after tear.

“It’s not a weakness, baby. None of this is your fault; it’s all mine.And I’m so sorry.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, but the tears didn’t stop.

“I’m so fucking sorry that I was the one to hurt you out of everyone; that I’m the reason you’re crying. But I’m going to spend the rest of my life apologizing, and making it up to you. I’m ready to accept any punishment you think I deserve. So go ahead.”

His hand engulfed mine as he lowered the gun from under his chin; pointing the muzzle right against his heart.

“Zach…” My whisper was so low I didn’t think he heard it.

“It’s always been yours.”

Always.

“You’ve only really known me for three months.”

The corner of his mouth tipped with the smallest smile. “I’ve known you forever.”

I tried to look away; he pulled me right back, leaning in close. I stared into his eyes. He was right; I couldn’t do it – because in all honesty, I didn’t want to. My hand holding the gun dropped to my side.

“Why didn’t you keep me here?” I whispered.

“You know why.”

He wanted to be with me,even not knowing if I’d try to kill him one day?

“Why not get somebody else to do it?”

His eyes set like the sun. “I’d kill them before they touched a hair on your head.”

Another moment passed and Zach took a deep breath, his eyes turning glossy for a moment. “I wish I had known you when we were younger. I’m aware I don’t know half ofwhat you’ve been through, but I would’ve protected you. No one would’ve hurt you.”

The girl inside me – the one still stuck in that beige room without a family; the one lost, wandering the streets alone at night with no home or purpose; the one who had to fight everything and everyone. I felt her heal inside me.

I wish I had known you when we were younger. I would’ve protected you.

The image of Zach as a kid, giving little me a hug, floated into my mind.

The confession hit me in the deepest part of my soul, and I dropped my head, feeling years of suppressed pain and trauma flood out of my eyes.