Page 205 of Indulge
Until I see the barrel of a gun pressed to the side of his head.
My stomach drops.
The candles flicker.
And the voice that follows makes my blood run cold.
100
ROWAN
Song- Until We Go Down, Ruelle
Bella stiffens beside me. Reggie’s hand goes to his side, instinct sharp as a knife.
And then we see her.
Lyla.
Dragging Father Byrne down the aisle like she’s walking a dog on a leash, the muzzle of the gun pressed cruelly to his temple. Her smile is too sweet, too calm. It’s like she’s already lost her mind and made peace with it.
“Well, isn’t this touching,” she purrs, stepping past the gold cross. The candlelight dances over the gun in her hand. “A perfect little confession scene. It almost makes me want to cry.”
I take a step forward, and she cocks the gun without even looking at me. But her hand trembles, which makes me stop. The unpredictable kind of crazy are the ones that kill.
“Ah-ah. Don’t ruin the moment, pretty boy. I like the symmetry of it. Her finally admitting what we all already knew—shame you’ll never get the chance to say it back.”
Bella’s breath hitches beside me. I feel her shake, just barely, before she hides it. Reggie moves to stand in front of her, his voice lethal.
“Let Father Byrne go, Lyla.”
She laughs, that sharp, brittle sound that used to make my skin crawl even before I knew what she was capable of.
“Oh, come on, Reg. You’ve been stealing all the fun lately. Thought I’d crash the party. Or should I say... the wedding rehearsal?”
She digs the barrel harder into the priest’s skull, and his knees nearly buckle.
My pulse is a drum in my ears.
I edge a fraction closer, just enough that I could grab her if she slips.
Her gaze snaps to me.
“Do you want to tell her, or shall I?” Lyla’s grin is wicked.
Reggie subtly shakes his head.
“Tell me what?” Bella whispers.
“Whatever she says, it’s bullshit, precious. Trust us.” I keep my voice quiet.
The anger starts to radiate from Bella, which could be another issue for us here.
“Give it up, Lyla. We know you’re lying,” Reggie tells her, coolly.
She pouts, pretending to be upset with those puppy dog eyes.
“What is she lying about?” Bella asks under her breath.
