Page 65 of Bound to a Killer

It always has been. From the start. He wanted a pardon from Antonio, a reason to stay under his protection even after I told him I was done. Explicitly. Repeatedly.

I was finished with Antonio. Had been for a while. This was just the tip of the iceberg, but now, the only way forward is straight through.

Failure tastes bitter on my tongue. No matter how hard I’ve looked for an out, there just…aren’t any.

Frankie’s my sister. My blood. I swore I’d spend the rest of my life protecting her. The choice should be clear.

It is clear.

But even if sacrificing Aria saves them from Antonio’s wrath, a part of my soul won’t make it out of here.

It’ll perish with her.

Frankie always comes first, but Aria’s the next girl I swore to protect. Giving her up won’t just wreck me. It’ll destroy whatever sliver of soul I have left. The piece she sparked back to life the second I barged into her world.

I swore I’d keep her safe. And I didn’t.

Intentions don’t mean shit, and I should’ve known that before I ever decided to take her the first time. It doesn’t matter what I meant to happen. It only matters whatdoeshappen in the end.

I failed her.

Just like I failed Frankie years ago. Only this time it’s worse, because I’m the executioner who’s dragged this cursed fate to her myself.

Me.

Turns out she was right to never trust me. I’ll only lead her to ruin.

And we were so close to a different ending.

So close.

Is there really no other way out?

Devastation scorches through my chest. Her body heat presses against my back as she stays tucked behind me, exhaling a shallow breath, but never letting go.

“Clock’s ticking,” Antonio grunts, his frown going to battle with my glare.

I could rip him apart with my bare fucking hands. That smug bastard.

Tanner swallows, lifting his head to meet my eyes. Then delivers the final blow, an ultimatum, his voice steady, his starestripped of apology.

“Which is it going to be, Ledger? Her or us?”

The words hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. It almost has me reeling back, but shock holds me immobile for a long, painful moment.

I can’t believe he’d do this. After everything we’ve gone through together. The reckless nights. School dropouts. Jail breaks. Frankie’s escape.

We’ve had our differences, sure, but we’re like brothers. Through thick and thin, it’s always been us against the world. The Tanner I know wouldn’t have gone behind my back. Wouldn’t have forced me to choose. Threaten me with family.

I barely recognize him now. His glare hardens on me, colder than I’ve ever seen it, as he waits for my response. I know I’m not better. But I thought we were above turning on each other, above letting an innocent girl burn in the crossfire. I thought I knew him. Trusted him.

My lips open just a fraction, my voice steeled, calm, and collected, despite the terrible ache scorching my chest. “Fine. You win.”

19

ARIA

Acold knot forms in my stomach as the rest of my body trembles. Visions of my death, inescapable and violent, flood my mind. I choke on a strangled sob. Fearful. Helpless. Shrinking behind Ledger’s broad shoulders, as my fingers continue to cling onto him for refuge, like I didn’t just hear him seal my fate seconds ago. If I let go, I might collapse on this very blood-stained floor.