Page 75 of The Boy I Loved (Eternal Hell #1)

“You are a fucking coward,” Vincent hissed, his blue eyes flashing with violence.

I shoved Vincent, trying to get him away from Dom. Instead, Vincent grabbed my arm and tugged me around his target, pulling me flush against his chest.

“It’s a shame really,” he taunted, running the snout of his pistol between my bare cleavage.

A shiver rolled down my spine from the cold feel of it, tremors shooting through my body.

“I always wanted to sample this tight pussy.” Sighing dramatically, mirth lit up his irises.

“Guess I’ll have to settle for your sister’s instead. ”

Before Dominic could react, Vincent raised his gun and fired.

It all happened in slow motion, or so it seemed.

My own screams sounded so distant, my body wiggling against Vincent’s in an attempt to get free.

Dominic’s body falling forward, blood matting the back of his head.

Agony ripped through me, tearing me up from the inside out.

Vincent shoved me toward Tristan, who held me close against his chest as if he ever truly cared for me beyond my body.

Fuck him. Fuck them all.

My knees buckled, hot tears streaming down my face. We were so fucking close to freedom. This was proof that evil always won out.

A twisted smirk crossed Clay’s face as he moved to stand before me.

“I have to applaud you and my idiotic nephew,” he began.

“That’s the closest anyone’s actually gotten to escaping.

” He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and swiped it across his hairline.

“If he hadn’t been shot, you two probably would have succeeded. ”

Just as he turned his back on me, preparing to bark orders at the rest of the guys, Tristan’s voice rang out from behind me, his chest vibrating beneath my head.

“Hey, Clay,” he began. Clay turned around once more, that arrogant look still etched into his features. What I hadn’t expected was for Tristan to lift his own gun and point it directly at his boss. “Fuck you,” he finished before pulling the trigger.

My ears burned, sound drifting in and out of tune with the ringing.

Clay crumpled to the ground, his lifeless eyes peering up at the darkened sky.

The bullet went right through his forehead, blood trickling from the wound.

My breathing was unfocused, gasps and pants shaking my shoulders.

If he’d done that ten minutes earlier, Dominic would probably still be alive.

That was when it hit me.

Dominic was dead. He’d never get to taste freedom again. He’d never see his mom or sister. He’d never have children or heal from the trauma inflicted upon him.

A sob wrenched from my throat, my legs growing even heavier. If it weren’t for Tristan holding me up, I’d probably be on the ground.

The rest of the guys didn’t seem to know what to do without having Clay to bark orders at them. They glanced around at one another in confusion.

“Does … this mean we’re free?” Nicholas asked hesitantly.

“Stay or go. I don’t give a fuck,” Tristan replied, wiping the gun off on the front of my dress. “I’m getting Hazel out of here. I’ll be back. Vincent, if you choose to stay, you’re in charge. If not, Rodney’s in charge.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Tristan was really going to let me go?

No one even protested, seeming to give Tristan their allegiance as if killing Clay made him the new leader. My head spun, tears still falling down my cheeks uncontrollably. There was a deep ache in my chest, opening a gaping hole that only Dominic could fix. But he was gone now.

Tristan loosened his grip around me, placing a hand against the small of my back instead.

My thoughts and emotions were all jumbled as he steered me forward, leading me in the direction of the woods.

Could this all be some kind of elaborate trick to get me alone?

He wasn’t the sharing type and got jealous anytime I had to do anything sexual with someone else.

Maybe he realized this was the perfect opportunity to lock me up somewhere, so he could come and go as he pleased.

The thought had my steps faltering. My fear amplified to new heights, and I was tempted to beg him to put me out of my misery right then.

When I glanced behind me, I spotted a few of the guys staring right back at me—Mason, Nicholas, Vincent, and Rodney. They all watched with unreadable expressions. The rest of the group had already started to split, heading back to the building where all of the other sex slaves resided.

They deserved to be free, too.

Unfortunately, I had no idea where we were or what town. Maybe I could ask someone if Tristan actually intended to let me go.

When we reached the tree line after what felt like an eternity, complete darkness wrapped around us. Not even the sliver of the full moon peeked through the branches, making it impossible to see a damn thing.

“Are you really letting me go?” I whispered, taking slower steps so I didn’t trip and fall on my face.

He was silent for a few moments, and I feared that my question alone might have been enough to give him ulterior motives. “Yes,” he replied simply.

I wanted to ask him why. He never cared about any of us before. Why did he kill Clay, and why was he letting me go? I wasn’t complaining, but it was definitely out of character. Instead, I bit my tongue. I didn’t want to unintentionally change his mind about that.

Silence stretched between us, the tears drying on my cheeks. The sadness was replaced with a bitter numbness, one that prevented me from feeling much of anything.

“You see that clearing up there?” Tristan asked, pointing up ahead.

I squinted hard, attempting to make it out.

When I nodded, he blew out a breath. “Head that direction. Once you reach it, keep walking straight. There will be a road. Follow the road all the way to the gas station. It’s open twenty-four hours. You can call someone to come get you.”

I paused, unease threading through my stomach. “You’re not coming with me?” As much as I loathed Tristan, I was even more terrified of being left out here in the dark all alone and defenseless.

“I’m smarter than that, Hazel. The first chance you get, you’ll run to the cops.” He moved away from me and held out his gun. “If it’ll make you feel any better, you can take this.”

Surprise sparked within me as I slowly wrapped my fingers around the metal. I had no idea how to work this thing. I assumed the safety was off since he hadn’t fucked with it since shooting Clay.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

He didn’t reply, only looked at me for what felt like an eternity. I couldn’t see him well, but I could feel the heat of his gaze soaring through me.

Blowing out a breath, I took a careful step toward him, closing the distance between us.

My hand curled around the handle of the weapon, and once I was sure we were close enough, I lifted, pointed, and pulled the trigger, hoping it hit its target.

The gunshot was so loud I feared someone would hear it.

To my complete and utter relief, Tristan’s gasp punctured the air and his body crumpled to the ground.

Kneeling, I felt along his body. He was still breathing, but it was pained and erratic.

I knew someone like him would keep cash on him.

Slipping my hand into the pocket of his jeans, I tugged his wallet free.

As expected, the thing was loaded with money.

I swiped all of it, leaving his cards and identification alone .

Afterwards, I didn’t waste any time. I ran like my life depended on it, because it very much did.

I hurried into the clearing and kept going like Tristan had suggested. Right on the other side was a long road that seemed to go on for miles and miles. I made sure to stick to the shadows, not wanting to be spotted in case someone had followed us to finish the job.

Headlights beamed ahead, my heart thudding rapidly in my chest. But the car didn’t slow down, nor did they give any indication that they’d seen me. I blew out a breath of relief, thanking the stars for this one act of kindness.

The store was right where Tristan had told me it would be, lights shining down over the parking lot. My gaze slid to the sign that read ‘Oakley’s Corner Store.’ I wracked my brain, trying to think of where I’d heard the name before but came up blank.

All I knew for certain was that I was finally free.