Page 156 of Depraved

“Oh, believe me. My life isn’t as perfect as it seems.” I rolled my eyes. Funny how people with no money always thought people with money were happier. It was automatically assumed that happiness came with all those big houses, fancy cars, and designer clothing—things only money could buy.

Tanit scowled at me, her dainty nose all scrunched up. “I suppose this is where you tell me money can’t buy happiness? Well, let me tell you, that saying was thought up by some poor douche who tried to convince himself he was happy with his miserable poverty-stricken existence.” She pushed herself off the desk. “For people like me, money sure as hell can buy a fuck-load of joy.”

If only she knew how wrong she was. I would have traded all the luxuries in my life for a single goddamn day where my mother would hug me, saying she was proud of me.

I smiled halfheartedly at the thought. “I suppose everyone’s burden is the heaviest.”

“Yeah, well. I look after me, and no one else. Unfortunately for you, you fucked with the wrong girl’s life.”

The skin around my wrists burned as the rope cut into it, my fingers aching as I tried to pull my hands free.

Tanit picked up the gun from the desk, holding it like she was inspecting it. “Ever wonder what it feels like to kill someone?”

My throat closed, and my heart stopped.

“I’ve seen people die before,” she continued, “and I’ve seen the faces of those who killed them. The adrenaline, exhilaration. Sheer fucking excitement of knowing you had the power to drain another human being of life. In that moment…you’re God.”

Fear knocked against my chest as she placed her finger on the trigger, turning it from side to side, scrutinizing it. The look on her face was unreadable, almost like she was trapped in her own mind and space in time. Like she lost her grip on reality momentarily. It was fucking terrifying.

“Tanit, listen to me. You are not a killer.” God, my voice was shaking. Truth was, I didn’t know her well enough to know whether she was a killer or not. But I knew she was desperate, and desperation made people do stupid, stupid things. “Like I said, there is still time to make this right.”

Tanit spun around and aimed the gun at me, letting out a shrill shriek of a maniacal laugh. “I could shoot you right now, you know.” She stalked toward me. “With one gentle squeeze from my finger, I could take your last breath.”

“Tanit, please stop this before⁠—”

“It’s thrilling, don’t you think? To know you hold a person’s life right in the palm of your hand.” She grazed her teeth on her bottom lip, and when she placed the barrel of the gun against my temple. My entire body froze; even my hands no longer fought against the ropes.

My heart pounded against my ribs like it would break bone at any minute. Every limb was numb, my mind a frenzy of fear and panic. My lips trembled, and tears rushed down my face uncontrollably. “Tanit, stop.”

“Right now, I can experience firsthand what it feels like to be God. How does that saying go?” She feigned a look of thought. “He giveth, and he taketh away.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the blow. Waiting for the moment I would no longer be here. The moment I would take my last breath.

“Tanit!”

Granite’s voice echoed off the walls, and I jolted the same time Tanit jerked around.

“Granite? What are you⁠—”

“What are you doing, Tanit?”

Granite cautiously stepped in, never taking his eyes off her. The relief that swept over me when I saw him was indescribable, yet my heart kept racing. Tanit was a loose cannon, and I knew she could explode at any time. All she needed was one tiny thing to light the fuse. And right now, she was facing Granite, still clutching the gun in her hand. Jesus. She wouldn’t hurt Granite…would she?

“Granite, t-this is…” she stuttered. “What…what are you doing here?”

Granite glanced in my direction, eyes wide and alert, then turned his focus back to Tanit. “Put the gun down, Tanit.” He lifted his hands and calmly moved closer, taking one slow, carefully placed step at a time. “What are you doing?”

She brushed hair out of her face with the back of her hand still clutching the gun. A tear slipped down her face. “I’m sorry, Granite. But I couldn’t just sit on the side and watch her take you away from me.”

“So, you kidnapped her?”

I watched silently while desperately trying to stay calm. Granite’s face remained soft, gentle, his eyes not showing the tiniest bit of resentment.

Tanit wiped at her face. “I didn’t know what else to do, Granite. You rejected me…twice, because of her.” Tanit’s face snapped in my direction, her eyes dark, glowing orbs of hate.

Granite quickly moved forward. “Tanit, look at me. Look at me.” She turned his way, and he held out his hand. “Give me the gun.”

A sudden look of bewilderment clouded her face, and she took a step back, narrowing her eyes at him. “You won’t give her up, will you?”