Page 48 of The Heir
"I can't," I whimper into his chest. "I can't. I can't. I can't."
"She did, though." Hannah snickers. "She was tweaking. It was wild, actually. I tossed him in her room and gave her a… shit, what did I give her? Doesn't matter. She wentnuts. Really impressive. And when she pulled the hood off his head? My god, it was pure fuckin' cinema."
Every word that comes out of Hannah's mouth stabs me in the gut. The shocked gasp from Helena pierces my heart, and Dante's grasp tightens around my shoulders.
"She lost her shit. The tears, the puking—it was super dramatic, actually," Hannah continues. "I don't really get that part. I thought she was a sociopath. What's the difference between offing some random dude and that guy in your crew?"
It's all the difference in the world, you insensitive bitch! It's everything—he helped me, he protected me, he gave everything—and you turned me on him! That's what I want to say, but I can't move my lips. I can't speak. I can barely breathe. All I can do is shiver under Dante's hold. He won't understand. He can't understand.
"Melody, tell me it isn't true!" Helena shrieks. "Tell me she's lying!"
I can't. I fucking can't.
"Watch your tone with my wife, Helena." Dante huddles his body over mine, sheltering me from the world.
I can't hide under him. I can't do it. I can't make him protect me—I killed Forge. I did it. I tried so hard to forget, but it didn't work. It would never work. Kicking my legs out, I launch myself away from Dante's crouching body. Tears stream down my face, leaving burning trails on my cheeks.
"Fuck!" I scream. "I can't fucking do this!"
"Watch yourself, girly," Hannah snaps. She points the pistol directly at my chest. "You might have taken Ella out—for now—but I've got the high ground."
"I don't give a shit what you have," I snarl. "Take me, but leave them alone. Let them go. I'm what you want, right? What Ella wants? To use me as some kind of human weapon for the Seraph? Fine. I give up. I'll do it. Just let them go."
My chest heaves with furious breaths, and I can't stop crying. I don't want Dante to leave—it might kill me. But my skin is itching with the primal need to run. To get away. To run away from my friends. Maybe they'll forget what I did in time.
Lightning flashes overhead. Hannah flinches and looks up at the gathering storm clouds. Dante—god dammit—throws himself at Hannah, grunting and grappling.
"What are you doing?" I yell. "Why? Let me do this!"
"You're mine, Melody!" My sweet husband wrestles the gun from Hannah's grasp. As the words exit his mouth, the sky opens, and sheets of pouring rain drench us.
The ground turns muddy under my feet. Wind whips my hair around my face as I take in the scene—my husband, holding Hannah at gunpoint. Helena stares at me with horror in her eyes. Melnyk slumps back, leaning against the tree, breathing heavily. I've… hurt them. I've hurt my people. I killed Forge. I got Helenaabductedandtortured. Melnyk looks even worse. And Hannah shot Nihil dead.
"You're fucking mine," Dante snarls. "You're mine. Nothing you do—nothing you've done, nothing you willeverdo will change that."
Lightning illuminates his panting face. A clap of thunder vibrates the ground beneath my feet. Could he be telling the truth? His intense green eyes, rimmed with gorgeous lashes, stare directly into my soul. And it just fucking breaks me. My heart shatters, raining fragments against my ribs.
"I killed him!" I scream. Tears flood my cheeks, mingling with the rain. "I did it! They didn't make me—they didn't force me—I didn't know it was him. I saw a man. I killed him. I killed Forge. I did it. Hannah's right. I'm a fucking monster."
Dante rushes me—nearly tackling me to the ground—wrapping his strong arms around my shivering frame. His heart pounds against mine as he kisses me so ferociously. I love it; I love him, but the pain—the vicious pain radiates from my heart. I killed Forge. I hurt him; I hurt Helena; I hurt everyone around me. I don't deserve this love.
I don't deserve him.
"You are so perfect, Melody. Please don't ever doubt that. Please. I'll spend the rest of my life making you believe that—please." My husband kisses every tear away from my cheek as they fall.
"I can't," I whimper. "I can't. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Thisis all very cute," Hannah interrupts. "I'll take my gun back now, thanks."
Dante rips himself from my arms and aims the gun at her head. "You did this to her?"
"I didn't do shit. I gave her the opportunity. She's the one who took the bait. Do you blame a fish when you catch it?" She rolls her eyes.
"She's lying," Melnyk wheezes. "Not about Melody. She—" He coughs, and a spray of blood erupts from his mouth.
Dante's calm demeanor evaporates. My lungs seize, and my breath catches in my throat. Quicker than I can process, light flashes from the barrel of her pistol. I swear, time slows down, and I watch the bullet fly through the air. Her smug expression freezes as her eyes widen. The instant the bullet touches her forehead, her mouth drops open a fraction.
Crimson explodes from the impact, and my mouth starts salivating. The sight is absolutely gorgeous. This bitch—this woman who tortured me, who ruined Melnyk, who scared the life out of Helena—drops to the soggy ground. She's dead, but the damage is done. I chance a peek over to Helena.
