Page 19 of Fatally Yours

After a moment, the bloodless wound he inflicted began to stitch itself back together as I watched in awe.

A moment later, it was nothing more than a thin line on his wrist, barely noticeable unless you knew he had sliced open his skin to demonstrate his new abilities.

Once again, Devin’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t appear afraid.

I was sure he thought this was all just some sleight-of-hand trick or elaborate prank to get back at him for being such a piece of shit. If only it were that simple.

“How often did you want to hit Natasha before I was resurrected?” August asked.

Devin eyed him but stayed silent. I hoped his answer was zero, but I knew better.

There were innumerable times I watched in horror as his fists balled when we argued, the way he would grab me when I made him mad, and even the way he behaved the night August was returned to me.

One evening, when I invited everyone to my place, he attempted to strike me after we got into yet another argument.

Wes heard from the other room and stepped in.

After that day, Mandy stopped coming over when he was around, and I didn’t blame her.

There was no love between us. He wanted the old me, not the one that was saturated with grief and mourning a loss.

“Come on, Dev. We don’t have all night,” August said. “Well, we do. But you don’t.”

“I-I never wanted to hit her, man.” His confidence was cracking, almost flowing into mine. As the conversation continued, I couldn’t help but enjoy how he was tormenting him. He deserved it after everything he put me through.

“Did you try to?”

“N-no…” he stuttered. August was toying with the knife, spinning it between his fingers and tossing it from hand to hand.

Devin’s eyes were wide and glued to the shimmering blade, probably anticipating what he would do with it.

Watching him crumble was almost as invigorating as having August back at my side.

I stepped forward, folding my arms across my chest. “That’s not true,” I said.

“You tried to hit me once, but Wes had to stop you.” August’s uneven eyes flared with rage, and his previously impish expression faded.

The fun was about to end with my one simple comment, but I felt no regret.

After everything he had done to me, he deserved it.

His fist tightened around the handle, and I held my breath, expecting a sight akin to the one that ended with me in the grave.

“In front of everyone? That’s bold, Devin.” His voice was flat as he ran his finger along the tooth of the blade. “Unfortunately for you, I was already aware of that. Back when I was in hell, there was a lot of information I learned that was used to torment me. Like how you tried to hit my woman.”

“Hell…” Devin gulped .

“Yes,” he said curtly. “I was in hell. That’s where you’re going to be soon.

And I assure you, it’s not fun.” I sucked in a breath, preparing to watch as August brutalized him for his sins.

“But before you go there, I need to hear you repeat all the terrible things you did to her so I can dish out a just punishment.” This was how Devin was supposed to act with me: protective, supportive, and not treating me like an inconvenience.

August dedicated his soul to me, even in the afterlife.

It was lovely to see him come to my defense after I felt so helpless.

All the times I wanted to scream at Devin, but I was too afraid to, at least until the night August came back.

Maybe there was something subconsciously that emboldened me.

And now he was back here to bolster me and help me get my revenge.

I wanted peace before, but death was warping me faster than I could comprehend.

“You didn’t do anything without her consent, right?

” August kept the knife in hand, glaring down at him with a hate that made me want to kiss him.

That got my attention, and I hoped he didn’t know anything that I didn’t.

There were a few nights I had one too many drinks, but I didn’t think Devin would sink that low.

“Because when you’re in a relationship, boundaries are important.

When Natasha and I first started dating, we established those things early on.

It’s not right to coerce her or make her do something just because she thinks it’ll make you not miserable.

” August glared at him, clearly thinking back to that pivotal night.

I prayed my actions didn’t stick in his head like I feared they would, but I knew better than that.

He would burn this whole world down for me, starting with Devin.

“And it’s not right to call her a bitch because you mentioned me while being a piece of shit. Or because she won’t put out, ” he bit. Devin’s eyes widened briefly, and then they returned to a glare. Blood was still dribbling down his chin, and there was a deep, beautiful pool atop his lap.

“You guys are fucked up. If this is some crazy revenge thing or to teach me a lesson, then I’ll stay away from her. You can have her sorry ass,” Devin snapped. “She’s a prude, anyway.” August chuckled and tossed the knife to the couch, along with all the other instruments of torture.

“You think so? ”

“Yeah, she is. I don’t know why you like her so much, considering she won’t even fuck.

” My jaw clenched with his words. He had no right to insult me like that, but I kept my mouth shut.

I wouldn’t fuck him . But none of that mattered now as August turned to me for the first time that evening, holding his arm out to draw me close to him.

“My love, come here, please.” Shock flashed across my face.

Newfound rage was coursing through my veins, but I wasn’t sure I could kill anyone.

Accompanying August in our little revenge?

Sure. But me killing someone, let alone Devin, whom I had known for years and once called my friend and boyfriend? I wasn’t ready. August eyed me.

“ Now ,” he ordered. Even though his tone made my stomach jolt with a confusing mix of emotions, I stepped forward, expecting him to demand I grab a weapon from the couch and enact our revenge, but instead, he gave me a gentle smile and spoke.

“Take off your clothes.”