Page 19 of Vow of Hate

He steps into the room and shuts the door behind him.

“How did you find me?” I ask. “Find… us?”

“I followed you. I was curious what you would do. I watched your every move. Killing that officer?” He lets out a low whistle. “That’s something I would have done. I’m proud.”

“I don’t want your praise. I… murdered someone.”

“It looked more like self-defense to me. He ran at you from what I could tell. You continue to surprise me more and more, Sienna. I hated what you stood for. A leash for Gabriel to keep me on. But you’ve slowly become your own person. I’m fascinated.”

“I called for help. They’ll be coming. You should go.”

“I could go.” He steps closer to me and I inhale, taking in his scent. It’s a powerful thing. Musky and warm like cinnamon. “But this is more fun. Come with me, Sienna. And I’ll let your mom live.”

All the air leaves me. “You wouldn’t.”

He smirks. “I would. I shot her once before. There’s nothing stopping me from killing her again. Don’t cause a scene and come with me. We can walk right out the door together.”

“The police will look for me.”

“I’ll handle the police. They won’t be a problem.” He leans in close to my ear. “Tell me, Sienna. What did you feel when you killed that police officer?”

“Like you said. It was self-defense. He wanted to hurt me. I could tell.”

“Mmm. That wasn’t an answer. What did you feel when you killed that police officer?”

“I felt disgust,” I lie. “I killed someone.”

He looks me in the eye. “I may not have known you for long, Sienna, but I can tell when someone is lying to me. How did you feel when you killed that police officer? I’ll let your mom live if you tell me the truth.”

“I felt happy,” I snap.

“There it is.” He steps back, clapping his hands. “You felt happy. Why?”

“It felt good to hurt him. He was going to hurt me. I don’t regret it.”

“What would God think?”

“God will forgive me for defending myself. I know it will feel just as good to kill you.”

His smile creeps along his face. “I’m sure it would. That’s where the fun comes into play. You have a darkness inside of you, don’t you, Sienna? Most people would be horrified by killing a man, even in self-defense and yet, you don’t look upset about it at all. You just wanted to get back to your mother. I can tell she means a lot to you and if I have to, I’ll hold her life over your head. Because you are mine. What do you say? Return home with me?” He holds out his hand like we’re boyfriend and girlfriend instead of captor and captive.

I can’t risk my mom dying again so I take Dante’s hand and let him walk me out of the room.

“Act normal,” he murmurs as we head for the stairs. “The security in this place are looking for you. I saw everything.”

“How? I never saw you.”

“I’m good at hiding. Blending in. Now, come on.” We head to the stairwell and walk all the way down to the bottom floor. I know I can’t run. Not if I want my mom to live.

I also know I’m in bad trouble from breaking into the jewelry store to killing a police officer. In a strange way, I need Dante’s help. He wants me which means he won’t want me going to prison.

Because now, after killing a cop, I’ll be locked away forever and that thought makes me more sad than anything.

Dante’s hand feels… strangely comforting in mine. He’s taking control of the situation. He knows how to help me even if it’s because of him that I’m in this position in the first place.

We walk right out of the hospital and he takes me to his car. I don’t hesitate to get in. Anything to help my mom.

Dante lets out a low whistle as we pass by the jewelry store. More officers are there, cornering the scene of the crime off. I can see a body on the ground, covered in a white cloth. The officer I killed. The officer I don’t regret killing.