Page 171 of Dancing with the Devil

“That’s because I expected to kill Antonio and take Nirah with me without any complications. I hadn’t realized how tough she’d gotten to be able to pull a trigger.”

“Oh…” Nereus slowly said. “Makes sense,” he casually nodded. “Do, carry on,” he stepped back again.

“But Sylvester has been torturing me before Antonio and I got together,” I said in confusion.

“That’s because I also needed to find Nereus, and I knew you weren’t going to give up his location. I figured I’d use Sylvester to scare it out of you.”

“You’re sick—I’m your daughter!” I shook my head.

“I realize my mistake, but let’s start over, be a family.”

“I don’t want to be your family anymore.”

“Nirah, please—”

“No,” I held the gun up. “I’m done with you, and this fucked up family. You’ve put me through hell, and I’m sick and tired of it.”

“Don’t you dare pull that trigger.”

My body tensed as a feminine voice stopped me. Slowly lifting my head, I saw a woman rush over, crouching down next to my father. She lifted his head, having him lay on her lap.

“You’rehere too?” I sarcastically laughed. “What is this, a fucking family reunion?”

“Oh, don’t be so sentimental,” she rolled her eyes. “And treat your mother with respect, would you?”

“Youdon’t get to call yourself mymother,” I shook my head. “You’re both fucking dead to me,” I cocked the gun back but Antonio grabbed my arm.

“Nirah, they’re your parents. Think about it,” he softly said and I swallowed hard. “Do you want their blood on your hands?” he asked. I wasn’t a killer… a murder… I didn’t have blood on my hands, and I didn’t want to start now.

I looked over at Nereus, who stood with his hands behind his back, casually looking around. “Oh,” he said with wide eyes. “No, go ahead. I’ve been an orphan way longer than you, so I won’t stop you,” he showed me an assuring smile.

“Nereus!” Our mother gasped in shock.

“Yes,mother?” he bitterly said.

“You can’t possibly be allowing this!”

“You always did say you wanted us to have more things in common,” he grinned, walking to my side. “Now, we do. Hating you.”

He threw an arm around my shoulder, and she looked at us in disbelief. “Nirah, don’t you dare kill my husband,” she warned.

“Your husband aimed his gun at mine. What’s fair is fair,” I shrugged my shoulders. “Plus you both ruined my—June—fucking—wedding!” I snapped. “Do you know how long I’ve waited for this!”

They all stared at me in shock, and I took a deep, calming breath in, slowly exhaling. After everything he’s put you through, he doesn’t deserve your mercy or your kindness. End this. All of it. Your hardship started with him, and now it’ll end with him. Your blood. Do it.

With one last breath, I pulled the trigger.Shescreamed, clutching onto my father as she cried out to him, and bile rose in my throat.

I watched my father’s blood taint her shirt and droplets dripped into the sand. She cried out to him, and I stepped back, taking deep breaths in.

Antonio pulled me into his arms, and I handed him the gun with trembling hands.I just killed my father…

“You need to get off the island before the scary man puts a bullet in you too,” I heard Nereus say. “You have till the count of three,” he said, and Antonio’s arm lifted from me.

“Don’t point thatthingat me,” my mother said in disbelief.

“One,” Antonio started, and I heard movement. “Two,” he threatened, and she started begging for them to spare her life.

“No one here cares,” Nereus said, and she scoffed in disbelief. “Don’t forget your purse,” he humorously said, and I heard her snatch it from him.