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Revulsion still twists through me when I hear it again.

The room holds its breath. People stare at him like they’ve never seen a monster before and can’t believe one has been standing in a tux beside them all night.

My glare could cut glass as I watch him listen to his own words. Tears gather in my eyes, but I blink them away.

“You had me kidnapped,” I say, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Offered me up on a platter so you could steal the governor’s office.”

I turn to my mother. “I have no doubt you knew about everything.”

She lifts her chin, as if dignity erases complicity.

My father holds firm. “None of this is true. You all know what they can do with voice manipulation these days.”

No one believes him. People stare with open disgust. Outrage grows, shifting the energy in the room until it becomes oppressive.

“His own daughter?” someone says. “That’s sick.”

A man shakes his head as he reads the words on the wall. “Patrick Connelly, too?” He huffs a breath. “You think you know someone…”

The people nearest my father begin to edge away. Small steps into a widening circle. No one wants to be associated with William Zapera.

“Asher died trying to save me,” I say.

That gets my parents’ attention. Their golden child is gone. My mother’s face tightens, and she takes a step closer, her eyes flashing with anger.

“Don’t you dare speak his name,” she hisses. “He was always better than—”

“Shut the fuck up, Mother,” I say with every year of swallowed rage lacing my voice.

Heads turn.

She freezes as if she can’t believe I’ve broken the script.

“Asher stood for what was right. He was a better person than anyone in this room,” I say. “That has more to do with the company he kept than the demons who raised him. Yes, he was better than me, and it’s because he had to become good in spite of you. Not because of you.”

Every day, I wish he were still here. I glance at Edwin because the ache in my chest needs somewhere to go. He holds my gaze, and his hand moves to my back again.

I take a breath, then face my parents. “At least you get one of your wishes.” A slow smile curls my lips. “But really, if you wanted me gone, all you had to do was ask.”

My father’s mouth opens, but nothing comes out. Because there’s nothing he can say that will fix this.

When I turn away, I’m satisfied that I’ll never have to see my parents again. Someday, I’ll start my own family, and it will look nothing like the one I survived. My children will be loved and cared for in ways I could only dream of.

Edwin falls into step beside me. “Good luck with your campaign,” he says over his shoulder.

We push out into the crisp night air, and I drag in a deep breath, cold and cleansing. My head tips back to look up at the black velvet sky, spotted with only the brightest stars.

Sirens sound in the distance, closing in. With multiple felony charges waiting for him, my father will die in prison. I’ll make sure of that.

My mother will never last on her own.

Edwin wraps an arm around my waist and brings me into a kiss like the world can burn and never touch us. He breaks it just to meet my eyes.

“You ruthless fucking angel,” he says with a dangerous grin.

My hand threads through his hair and pulls him into another kiss. Then I whisper against his lips.

“Angel of death.”