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She swallows thickly.

“Thought so,” I say as I pull the trigger, sending a bullet straight through her head. My hands shake with adrenaline as I watch the aftermath.

I thought I would miss, so I made sure I stayed a short distance from her. Blood splatters behind her as her body falls limp into the man lying next to her. He still doesn’t fucking move.

Dante nods for me to go to the door, and I do. He follows behind me, and we head to the fire escape.

“You didn’t kill the man?”

“He didn’t need to be killed. He was some nobody she found at the bar. Fucker is out cold.”

I nod as we make our way to the car. Dante doesn’t have to kill innocent people. His father made him. He isn’t an evil man. He never was.

Lucien hops in the driver’s seat as Dante and I sit in the back.

Dante looks over at me, sliding his hand onto my thigh.

“Do you feel better?”

Ismile up at him, feeling my heart swell. Adrenaline buzzing through my bones.

“I think I could do that again,” I admit out loud.

Dante leans over and kisses my forehead.

“You’re so fucking perfect, princess.”

I nuzzle my head into his chest, knowing everything will be okay. Won’t it?

42

D & E

Three Months Later

Dante

I stand at the end of an ivory colored aisle, awaiting the moment I get to make Evelyn mine— officially.

I have had a few months to prepare for this moment. I always knew it would be her. Our souls were lost, searching for that one person to make us feel alive. Once we had it, it was a twisted, dangerous love.

I told her I was in no rush to get married now that my father is gone. She was very eager to tie the knot. She was worried that Astra might not have much more time before she expires.

Her father flew in from California to escort her down the aisle. Evelyn couldn’t have been happier about it. She has been talking to him daily, making sure he is doing okay after losing her mother. He seems to be doing just fine, filling his life with fresh memories. He even bought a boat, so he could spend more time fishing out at sea.

I stand next to my best man, Lucien. I have no other groomsmen, as no one in my life is important enough to earn that role. Across from me stands Astra, who looks significantly thinner than she did the last time I saw her. Heavy bags under her eyes are caked in concealer.

Evelyn wouldn’t have it any other way, though. Astra has always been her best friend. We have invited a handful of guests, mainly a couple of Evelyn’s friends and some of my college friends. Evelyn’s father also asked a handful of former colleagues.

The guests rise to face the entryway to the garden, surrounded by a forest. Evelyn wanted to have an outdoor wedding. Something about how excited she gets when she sees me in the woods: she picked this venue because it is surrounded by dense trees, as far as the eye can see. Maybe she will let me chase her later. I smile at the thought.

My thoughts come to a halt when I look up and see my fiance standing at the other end of the aisle. Her eyes are piercing, and her hair is done in an elegant twist, giving her a classic look. I want to mess it up later.

Her dress is a gorgeous black gown that hugs her curves just right. The simple satin material fits her beautifully, enhancing her already supple skin. She hooks her arm with her father as she makes her way towards me—her sanctuary.

* * *

Evelyn