Page 59 of Upon Blooded Lips (Vengeance #1)

TESSA

T he helicopter touches down in the parking lot in front of the warehouse, and Ryan chuckles at my pout. Flying is thrilling, like nothing else I’ve experienced, and he let me sit in the copilot seat while my men guarded Uncle David behind us.

Blowing up the silo with all the dead bodies inside was pretty awesome too , Mirror Girl adds.

It’s certainly been one hell of a day.

“Maybe one day you can get your license,” Ryan says, tossing a grin my way. “If that giant douchebag in the back ever allows you out of his sight again, that is.”

“Get fucked,” Nate replies, and hauls my uncle out of the helicopter.

Eric appears at my door and offers a hand, helping me down. My gaze latches onto his, and a lump forms in my throat. “Are you sure you forgive me?” I ask in a small voice. I apologized to him in the silo already, but guilt still gnaws at me.

“Do you forgive us for not telling you about the kill order?”

“Yeah, although I wish you had.”

“Same. Of course I forgive you, but next time, talk to us, okay? No more running away.” He boops my nose before entwining our fingers and leading me into the warehouse. I love how easy it is for them to give and accept an apology. Many never learn that skill.

David stands beside Nate like a zombie, drugged out of his mind after Ryan injected him back at the farmhouse. Whatever the drug is, it makes him compliant, which made the trip back from Wisconsin more pleasant.

Let’s hope it wears off soon, though. Killing him won’t be much fun in that state.

Eric raises a brow at my chuckle, but I shake my head. I don’t discuss Mirror Girl in front of strangers. Even nice ones who let me sit up front.

Why not? Afraid you’ll land in the same psych hospital as Presley?

Ha. Haha. Ha. You’re funny.

Thanks. I’m here every day.

After Ryan bids us goodbye, we take David down to the kill room and lock him in the cell Nate and Eric used to hold Dr. Palmer in. He sits on the cot, obeying orders like a good little dog. When a line of drool drips from his mouth, I almost feel pity for him. Almost.

We have a lot of work left to do to prepare for his revenge, but the moment the snakes arrive tomorrow, he’s going in the tank. They’re his biggest fear, and I can’t wait to hear his screams.