Page 101 of Twisted Violet

Nothing happens.

There aren’t any bullets in the chamber. I made sure of that on the drive over.

He pulls the trigger again, and again, staring at the gun in his hand like it’s betrayed him.

His eyes snap to me, and they widen in disbelief.

I smile as I settle in line with everyone I’ve ever cared about.

“You’re so fucked.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

DALLAS

I hate silence.

I used to find comfort in it.

But right now, it just reminds me of everything we lost.

Her voice. Her laughter. Her joy.

He took all that from her. Tortured her for months right under our fucking noses.

So no, I don’t want silence.

I want chaos.

I want noise.

I want his screams to drown out my memory of ever hearing hers.

Ezra’s basement isn’t like the rest of their bar. It’s colder. Quieter. Like even the air down here knows something wicked’s about to happen.

It’s just the six of us down here.

Me, Rome, Niko, Ezra, Cyrus, and Tristan.

All of us gathered for one reason.

To break the monster who broke her.

The one who bought her, branded her, and raped her like the vile bastard he is.

He’s escaped justice for long enough.

But tonight?

He’s ours.

The second I see him,stripped down and chained up in the center of the basement like some mangy animal, something feral shifts in my chest. He’s not as smug as he was when we dragged him in earlier. His blonde hair is matted to his forehead, his lips are split from Cyrus’ earlier introduction, and there’s a wild, darting panic in his eyes now.

Good.

He should be scared.

He should be terrified.