Page 89 of Nemesis
She hesitated and I looked behind, seeing the flames retreating.Double fuck.
I hauled myself through the opening and grabbed Elena’s body, twisting us in the air as we plunged down. My bones screamed in pain as my shoulder crashed against the lawn.
I curled into myself as the backdraft blasted the house, the sky above us exploding into shades of oranges and red, shattering glass raining down on us. Flames ripped through the window, curling against the house’s façade.
I looked to my right to find Elena’s body unmoving.
“Elena,” I croaked, pushing to my hands and knees, scrambling to her.
I reached for her body and shook her urgently. “Elena,” I shouted again when she finally peeled her eyes open, coughing forcefully.
She drew a shallow, shuddering breath, turning her attention to me. “Sofia,” she wheezed.
In the distance, I heard the sirens approaching. We couldn’t be found here.
I hauled her to her feet. “Run to the beach,” I explained.
She glared at me. “What about you?”
“I’ll be right behind. Go,” I urged her.
I watched her run across the yard and the deck. As soon as her feet hit the dunes of sand, I grabbed the grenade from my bag and threw it through the open window we’d just jumped out of.
I didn’t wait to see if it landed as I rushed to the beach, Valentina’s boat weaving through the ocean, slowly coming into view. I was almost at the end of the small boardwalk to the beach when it detonated, harshly throwing me forward, my front landing in the sand.
I peered up, seeing Elena pausing and swinging back to search for me. I hauled myself back up and ran to her. The sounds of sirens blazed from the front of the house, the authorities and firefighters arriving.
We both made it to the water’s edge, the tide gripping at our legs. Water splashed over my boots, clinging to my black jeans, and we leapt over the waves, swimming a little farther out to meet Valentina.
A ring buoy was thrown my way and I maneuvered behind Elena, pushing toward it. Valentina pulled the cord before dragging Elena into the boat and I followed right after.
I pulled my Glock from its holster and released the clip, letting it hit the ground with a muted thud, the rest of my equipment following right behind. Valentina offered us warming blankets before moving back to the front of the boat and driving us away.
Elena and I stood side by side, waves rippling beneath the boat. I placed my elbows on the silver railing, staring out. I watched the flames consume the property, the dark smoke billowing in the air.
Fire was a powerful tool. It always disintegrated everything in its path and I relished the small victory it provided me.
Step one was completed.
Most of the time, people would think someone out for revenge would want to lash back violently, but witnessing your nemesis living in pain, suffering a loss, would be so much more rewarding.
Death would come eventually, but he needed to be alive to reap the rewards of his crimes.
Be prepared, Victor Morales.
I glanced toward Elena and watched years of sorrow slowly evaporate. She watched as her past caved in on itself like a skeleton.
The remains of her old life were now a stepping stone for new beginnings.
Her freedom and my revenge.
CHAPTER34
SOFIA
He glared at Elena, a murderous look in his gaze as he rapidly spewed insults at her.
My expression soured. “Watch your mouth, asshole.”
