Page 98 of Sin of Love

“Shocking, isn’t it?” she continues, impassive as she watches me cry. “He finally granted me my deepest wish—to replace you. But I wasn’t cut out for his particular brand of affection. Was I, Julep? My screams weren’t the same.”

“I’m sorry, so sorry,” I sob. “Maggie, forgive me, please. I never wanted—”

Julep pulls my hair, snarling, “Shut up! Margaret, if you want to stay, make yourself useful and put a bullet in that man’s head.”

I jerk, my gaze flickering to Gideon, to the bright hair just visible around one of the floating walls. Swallowing, I look at Maggie, ready to beg for his life.

But she isn’t looking at Gideon, or me, and instead stares blankly at Julep.

“I loved you. I was the only one who did.”

“Dios mío, will you stop whining? Do what I say!”

Maggie’s answering grin is a macabre display, one side of her mouth tugging down near the scar.

“Not this time.”

The gun in her hand swings up, and the little black hole concealing my fate comes in line with my head. With only four or so feet between us now, there’s zero chance she’ll miss.

Sirens wail softly in the distance. Too far away.

My hands move instinctively to my stomach. To the tiny life inside me. Maggie’s gaze shifts down, expression changing as she notices my hands and recognizes what the gesture means.

She blinks, and a tear rolls down her ruined cheek.

“Please,” I say.

Take him from this world, as I couldn’t. Let me live, to raise this child with the love we didn’t have.

“Margaret,” growls Julep. “Drop it.”

The gun twitches up again, clearing my head and finding another target. Julep curses and yanks me onto my tiptoes. While his gun swings wildly between my temple and Maggie, her arm is steady.

Our eyes meet.

The sirens are loud now, a false promise. Tires screech. Car doors slam. Red and blue lights strobe through the gallery.

Julep’s arm extends past my face as he takes aim at Maggie. “Last chance to drop the gun.”

She ignores him.

“Tick tock, Deirdre.”

My throat thick, I whisper, “Time’s up.”

She nods.

I twist hard to one side.

She pulls the trigger.

So does Julep.

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