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Director Onai smirks. “Director Young. I always knew you were too nice. Nobody is that nice.”
“That's what I said!” I exclaim, giving her an air high five which she returns.
A reaper walks up to my father and removes the cuffs. He rubs his wrist, then points to Director Young. “Cuff her and Mac, then take them to the containment cells where they will await their trial.”
Before the guard can restrain Director Young, she teleports next to me, pulling out 'The Obliterator' from her waistband, and pointing it at my head.
This again?
She laughs humorlessly. “I wonder…if I shoot her twice, will she be able to come back?”
Similar to when Mr. Reynold’s held me at gunpoint, everyone in the room freezes. How many times am I going to get shot for goodness sake? But, I don’t say anything, not wanting to trigger her.
My father pleads, “Jia, let’s talk about this.” She turns her head to look at him. Aiden uses that opportunity to teleport next to her, yank the gun from my face and shove her roughly into the wall. With the gun in one hand and her throat in his other, he throws her on the ground by the guard.
Menacingly, Aiden says, “I’m not talking about shit. Get her the fuck out of here and away from Joyce.” The guard quickly grabs her and leaves the room. Aiden raises the gun to point at his other friend who betrayed him. Mac raises his hands, panic filling his face.
“Aiden! What are you doing?” I exclaim. He’s just full of surprises today.
Ignoring me, he asks Mac, “What did I promise you?” Mac doesn’t reply, so Aiden answers for him. “I promised you that I would get out of Hell and find you. Didn’t I?” Mac opens his mouth to speak, but Aiden shoots him in the chest.
Goddamn it. Back to court we go. Mac grasps his chest and cries out in pain. At least his soul won't be destroyed. He will just feel pain for…well, forever.
All the directors gasp except Director Onai. She chuckles and nods her head as if she agrees with Aiden’s actions. She is probably one of my favorite directors at this point, besides my dad, of course.
Director Woody sputters, “You cannot do that, Aiden!”
Aiden turns to glare at him. “I can and I will to anyone who hurts Joyce. Would you like to be next?” Goodness. He is so sexy when he’s mad.
Director Woody points at him. “What do you mean by that?”
Aiden smirks. “What words are giving you trouble?” Trying to stifle my laugh, I cough into my fist.
“You will face justice in Reaper’s Court!”
“He will do no such thing. Look around, Woody. No one cares but you,” my father says. Director Woody looks around with angry eyes. When he doesn’t see the reactions he wants, he lets out a huff but keeps his mouth shut. Smart.
My father walks over to me and brings me into his embrace. “I don’t know how we can ever thank you,” he pauses, “how I can ever thank you.”
I smile shyly. “I’m a lawyer. It’s what I do. Fight for the people I love.” I lean back from him to look into his eyes. There is only unconditional love in them. A lump forms in my throat as I say, “and I love you.”
His eyes fill with tears. “I love you too, my daughter.” His voice is thick with emotion. He pulls me back into a hug. Aiden lets out a fake cough. We pull apart and look at him. I smile at him awkwardly standing there.
My father smiles at Aiden. “I see you both worked things out.”
I chuckle. “Yes, we—” I let out a gasp. My legs give out from under me as pain erupts in my chest. My father catches me before I fall and holds me in his arms, gently lowering us to the ground.
“Joyce, what’s wrong?” he asks, panic laced in his voice. Too excited about taking down Director Jia Young, I forgot about the tattoo. Aiden pulls me from Taevian’s arms and against his chest.
Aiden looks at me, his eyebrows furrowed. “Joy?” he says gently. A stabbing pain hits me again. I can’t believe I forgot that I’m running out of time. At least, I was given enough time to protect my family.
“As the tattoo fades…so do I,” I confess.
30
CHOICES? NEVER HEARD OF HER
“No,” Aiden calmly says.
