Page 52 of Beautifully Shattered
“Punishing you later is a fuckingunderstatement, Angel. You sure you wanna push me on this?”
“Never been more sure of anything in my life.”
We stare at each other for a long beat, neither of us flinching, the heat between us laced with danger.
Then JD clears his throat. “Ringo, man… she’s right. It’s her call. If she hates herself later, that’s on her.”
I raise a brow at my husband. A silent challenge, and he snarls again, jabbing a finger in my direction.
“I’m trying tosaveyou.”
“I don’t need saving.Not anymore.”
“Yeah,” he scoffs bitterly. “That’s what I’m fucking afraid of.”
“Riiingoooo… helppp…”
I spin, hearing Wendy’s gargled voice, her eyes barely cracked as she tries to reach for him.
I stomp on her hand.
Hard!
A sickening crunch follows, and her scream dies in her throat, choked off by her own blood.
“Don’t fucking speak to myhusband!” I scream, my voice ripping through the room so loud, I almost don’t hear the fast footsteps coming my way.
I spin just in time, gun up in an instant, aimed right at Ringo.
He skids to a stop, freezing in place, surprise flickering over his expression at being caught attempting to take me down.
“Stop!” I yell, angry tears bursting from my eyes. “Whose side are you on?!”
“Yours, Angel.Fuck. Alwaysyours.” His voice breaks, laced with pain, and I know I’m the one that put it there.
I swipe at my face, nearly grazing my cheek on the spiked knuckles, smearing more of Wendy’s blood across my skin.
“JD!” I bark, not taking my eyes off Ringo. “Unchain her.”
JD hesitates, but only for a moment before he slowly and carefully moves past Ringo, giving me a wide berth as he heads for Wendy. Then I hear the clink of the chains, and the sound of metal against metal as he does what I asked.
“What are you doing, Angel?” Ringo asks gently, his hands raised again, like I’m a wild creature he doesn’t want to spook.
I guess Iamthe beast in this story.
“Vengeance,” I snap. “Justice. Call it whatever you want.”
Behind me, the chains hit the concrete floor with a heavy clatter, and I know Wendy is now free.
Such a pity she’s in no state to run.
Glancing over my shoulder, I eye JD closely, ready to turn on him too, if I have to. But he just gives me a nod and backs away, leaving Wendy sprawled in a slick pool of her own blood.
“Leave,” I tell Ringo, but he shakes his head.
“Nope.”
I huff, frustrated, but not surprised. “Fine. But don’t touch me. Don’ttryto stop me.”
