Page 215 of Endgame

I should find comfort in our revenge. One day, I will.

Today, I’m struggling to catch my next breath.

“The jury will have no choice but to convict them.”

While my mind registers what he’s saying. My thoughts turn darker, more morbid.

Maybe it would’ve been for the best if I’d died with Mom. That I’d never had to suffer knowing the truth of what was done to her.

“Aurora.” A shake of my head brings me back to the present. Everett’s jaw is clenched tight, his nostrils flaring. “Enough of that.”

“What did I do?” I fake innocence. I try to put on a smile.

“You’re really asking me that?” He barely suppresses the aggressive energy vibrating from him. “I see you, in case you’ve forgotten that little fact. I see you’re suffering. Your thoughts, they’re as mine as the rest of you are. Talk to me.”

“He could’ve left me there to die.” My voice is small, my words rushed. “He could’ve let me stay there, next to her, wherever that was. Next to my mom. He should’ve.”

“No.” Everett kisses me like a man possessed. He crushes his mouth to mine as if he’s in a war. His lips, his tongue, his teeth, they mark me. Reassure me. “No.”

Every swipe of his tongue, every nip to my bottom lip, he’s being violent about it. He’s taking away some of my pain, replacing it withhim.

“You weren’t meant to die there.” He swallows hard. “She wouldn’t… Fuck.”

There’s no sound of sirens as the police cars pull up to the gates.

The arrest will come as a complete surprise to Winston and Molly. Everett’s power and pull made one thing very clear—the Clarkes weren’t getting a heads-up.

“Your mother would’ve wanted you to live.” When he presses his lips to mine this time, he unleashes his feral growl. I taste it on my lips. The desperation from it seeps into my body. “And livewell. Don’t you ever forget that. We’re so close to the finish line, so no. You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to stop being my brat. My beautiful fighter. You just—wherever your soul goes, I’ll find it. Every fucking time. I’ll drag you back to me, no matter what. But please, believe in me. Believe in us. Just stay, dammit.”

I’m grasping his cheeks. Clinging onto this wonderful man I never want to let go of. “Everett…”

A knock on the window cuts me off. “Mr. Alder, sir. Good evening.”

“Give us a second,” he barks. His driver nods, leaving the SUV to handle the cops. Then to me, Everett whispers, “Talk to me.”

“Maybe if I knew why I got to live and she didn’t…” I search Everett’s eyes for anger, for hurt. “I should’ve died there with her.”

“Don’t you ever say that. Don’t even think it.” His gaze holds nothing but strength. Nothing but love. He’s breaking inside, but he’s always my rock. “What you need is closure. To put this nightmare behind you. And I swear on my life, Aurora, you’ll have it.”

39

EVERETT

Years of plotting. Of waiting.

For over two decades, my anger’s been simmering just under the surface.

The anticipation has almost eaten me alive.

The need to see justice being served has become a part of my personality. Of who I am.

Now I finally have it. The police force, the shouting, the handcuffs on every staff member is what I wanted.

And I feel like a fool.

Yes, the fire coursing through my body is precisely what I’ve been expecting.

The flames of righteousness are there.