Page 108 of Atone

The hall darkens as shadows fall over me. In my haze, I think maybe this is death meeting me with an amused grin.

If so, he looks a lot like Alex.

But then the shadows close in behind Marco, and a hand finds purchase over where I’m still holding the knife in Marco’s side.

With Alex’s help, the blade is pulled free, and he starts to lift.

Up.

Up.

Up.

Marco’s eyes are still widening with the realization someone is behind him as Alex tightens his grip around mine—around the handle—and shoves the point of the knife into the side of Marco’s throat.

Blood gurgles on Marco’s tongue. But before he can spit it all over me, Alex grabs Marco by the hair and pulls him back.

Marco reaches for the knife, but he’s already losing too much blood. His fingers twitch, and he cuts himself on thepart of the blade sticking out of the side of his neck. There’s a final stumble, and he falls to the floor, a red river running out of him.

I’m staring straight into Marco’s eyes when the light goes out, and I almost vomit.

Death hangs in the hallway like a physical presence clogging the air. Creeping my skin and churning in my gut.

After a long moment, I finally dare to lift my chin. I crane my neck back and meet gazes with Alex, who is completely unbothered by Marco’s dead body beside us.

“You—” I shake my head, trying to piece tonight together. “He’s dead.”

Alex hums, pulling out his phone and typing something into it. “Unlock the door, Mila.”

When I don’t move, he stops typing and locks his eyes on mine. His hazel eyes have never been so dark. And yet, there isn’t the faintest hint of regret.

“Your door.” He juts his chin to the door behind me. “Unlock it and go inside.”

I drop my gaze to Marco, dead on the floor. “And what about him?”

“It’s being taken care of.”

Of course it is. It’s so easy for Alex to make these messes and sweep them under the rug, not considering how it affects anyone else.

So why is it that I’m not scared of him like I was scared of Marco?

“You’re not bothered by any of this.” It’s a statement, not a question.

Alex dips his hands into his pockets. “No.”

At least he’s honest.

“Why are you here, Alex? I told you I don’t want your explanations.”

“You did say that.” Alex steps forward, reaching for my purse on the floor and unlocking the door when I still haven’t. “But that’s not how this works between us. So take your eyes off your dead ex-boyfriend and get inside. We’re going to talk.”

35

MY FETISH

MILA

WhenI still haven’t moved, Alex pushes the door open, forcing me to lift off it and step inside, leaving Marco dead in the hallway.