Page 97 of Darkest Game

I scream and dive to the side.

But then something shocking happens.

In perfect sync, Bear and Luna tackle Elaine to the ground and the grenade in her hand goes flying away from the direction of the house. It lands in the middle of the street.

An explosion rocks the entire ground but I’m far enough away to not be hit by it. Luna and Bear rip Elaine’s throat out and they don’t stop until she’s dead.

The dogs turn to me, waggy their tails, blood covering their mouths. They saved me. These dogs that Jack and Elaine thought of as beasts. They saved me because I showed them kindness.

Nico runs out of the house and stumbles to a halt when he sees what just happened. I’m alive. Elaine is dead. And Luna and Bear sit there, wagging their tails, proud of themselves.

My sisters and mom come running out after and all of them wrap me into a hug when they see that I’m all right.

Elaine is officially dead.

This nightmare can end.

I go to Liam in the hospital the next day. He’s already looking much more alert and awake then he did before.

“Elaine is dead,” I tell him, describing the grenade and the dogs and how she died.

“All because you saved those dogs. They saved you.” He takes my hand in his and kisses it. “I never would have thought. Your kindness saved yourself.”

“You saved me too. I think my mom is coming around to the idea of you. When you’re out of the hospital, there’s a chance we could move in together… if that’s what you want?”

Before Liam can reply, someone else enters the room. A young woman. Pretty.

“I was told you were in here,” she says, ignoring me as she rushes to Liam’s side.

“Amanda? What are you doing here?”

“Jimmy said you were in the hospital when I showed up for work. I had to make sure you were ok.”

Liam glances at me and that makes Amanda realize I’m here.

“Oh,” she says, pulling away from Liam.

“Amanda, this is my wife. Irina. The one I was telling you about.”

“Oh. Hi.” She gives me a small wave but there’s a sadness to her face that speaks to how unhappy she is. “The one you met in Vegas?”

I frown. “Vegas?”

“Yes,” Liam says, giving me a pointed look. “In Vegas. We’re making it work. I appreciate you coming to check on me but I just need you to know that we’re done. For good. I’m just your boss and you dance at my club.”

“I get it. I wouldn’t want to interfere. And I don’t want to be with a man who doesn’t want to be with me anyway.” She turns to me. “You’re lucky. Liam is a good man.”

He huffs. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“You are,” I tell him. “You’re a good man to me.”

“Well, I’ll leave you two to it,” Amanda says. “You know, I’ve never seen you look at a woman like you’re looking at her.”

Liam flushes slightly. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him look embarrassed. “Guess there’s a first time for everything.”

“Guess so.” Her smile this time is much more kind. “Bye.” She hurries out of the room before I can say anything else.

“You’re the only one for me now,” Liam says. “I promise. And I would love to live together now. You’re my wife. It’s right that you should move in with me. Your mom will be ok with it?”