Page 66 of Dark Encounter
I nodded at Kane, and he moved from behind the door and hit Cole hard in the back of the head. The big lug fell over, hitting the floor loudly. "And stay the fuck down," Kane growled.
"Your brother stole from my father. He owes twenty-thousand dollars. I'm here to collect. If he doesn't have it, then his life will do instead." I cocked my gun, and she cried out in fear.
"Why are you doing this? It's me. Look at me." She patted her chest as she sobbed.
My heart broke deep inside of my chest. "Move Grace. This bullet isn't meant for you."
"I'll give you anything you want. I'll go with you. Let's go. Just don't hurt Thomas," she screamed at me, her emotions raping her.
"Last chance, Grace. Move." I fired off a shot beside her, and she screamed. Thomas lay below her, crying like a fucking girl. I glanced over at Kane. "Meet me outside and make sure no one comes in. Got it?"
He nodded, his eyes wide, his face pale. I must have looked like the demon my father raised me to be.
"Erik. Baby. Look at me." Grace reached out, her hand shaking as Kane shut the door. "I know you don't love me the way I love you, but please. I'll get you the money. Just don't hurt my brother."
"Do you know what's going to happen if I return to my father and Thomas is alive, but I don't have the money?" I tilted my head to the side, studying her, but not really seeing her. "Do you know what I've already suffered for you?"
"Please. Please, Erik. See me. Please." She pulled her hand back and turned to cover her brother with her body.
I wasn't sure what I expected. For her to choose me over Thomas? That was impossible. I'd put a hole in her head before I let her touch Delaney. My life didn't mean much without the possibility of her in it anymore. It had been so fucking lonely and dark before that, but now...
The sound of her and Thomas crying followed me down the hall as I walked toward the front door. Kane was waiting by my bike, but I ignored him, got on it and drove toward my father's mansion.
He wouldn't accept my reasoning, so there was no reason giving it.
He wouldn't bend on requiring Thomas' life, but he'd have to send someone else. I loved the pretty girl splayed out across Thomas far too much to go through with it. I wasn't the hitman I thought I was. I wasn't anything.
The guards moved back as I walked up to the house a few minutes later and numbly made my way to my father's office.
He glanced up from writing something and stood. "Erik. What happened?"
"I failed you. I failed me." I closed the door behind me and walked toward him, handing him my gun. I took a few steps back as he walked around the desk and pointed it at me.
"Explain."
"I love her, Dad. I can't take her brother's life, not even to save my own." I shrugged. "I'm sorry. I wish I were more of who you wanted me to be."
He smiled. "You're exactly who I want you to be. You're just lost, but I'll help you find your way back."
I let my head drop as he raised his hand. The pain that exploded across my face was numbed by the sweet darkness that pulled me under.
For once in my shitty life, I'd made the right choice.
The unselfish one.
