Page 80 of Pushed

Rolling his jaw around, his tongue licked over his lips, enjoying the look he saw he on my face. “You want to know the best part? You what to know what she said to me before I wrapped my hands around her fucking throat?” A sick grin twisted his lips up as his eyes fluttered in enjoyment. “Do you want to hear the words Megan White whispered into my ear before she died?”

Veering my stare, I lifted the gun towards his head. “It doesn't matter what she said, what matters is that you never have the chance to do it again.”

“She called for you, she yelled your name as if you would hear her screams.” Folding his arms over his chest, his stare pierced my chest. “She warned me that you wouldn't let me get away with it. And I laughed at her, I told her she was a foolish little druggie to think that anyone ever cared about her.” Shaking his head, his lids hooded. “Fuck, she was a pretty thing though, she knew how to suck one hell of a cock. It was hard to watch her lips turn blue and purple, but it felt incredible to feel her pulse slow down and watch her eyes glaze over. I hold the power, Machi, to take life or give life. Me.”

Tears rested on my lids, knowing that she needed me, that she had hoped her voice could travel and I would hear her labored song. All my muscles shivered as the rage came to life and replaced the sadness I felt for those last moments she experienced.

“You're wrong, Sylvan, I hold the power.” Clicking the trigger, the gun went off and he dropped to the floor like a rock.

And as I stood over his lifeless body, breathing in the thick scent of gunpowder and watching the trickle of blood pool around his head, I felt nothing.

Taking his life wasn't gratifying, it didn't fill me with happiness. I still felt empty, I still felt like I had nothing left. No matter how many times I replayed his death inside my head. . .

It still wouldn't bring back my sister.

And now, Imperial was gone too.

I hadn't won the war, I still lost.