Page 52

“I tried to help, but he couldn’t be saved. He had a fucking god complex.”

A loud snarl stopped me as he pressed his elbow into my throat. “Shut the fuck up, Dee. For once, shut the fuck up.”

Struggling was a waste of time and energy. So, I just let go. I wanted to live, but maybe death would liberate me from the pain that haunted me.

“Giving up already? I wish Toby could see you now. I wish he could see the panic in your eyes, the resignation.” He chuckled. “Say hello to him when you meet him.”

“Not going to hell.”

“Oh, you are going to hell.”

“I don't agree, Dex.”

Gritting his teeth, he unscrewed the bottle. “Eat your own medicine, Dee.”

“That’s enough.”

Startled, Declan stumbled back, and his gun fell to the floor, followed by the bottle.

Asher was quick to grab the gun.

Oh, here’s my knight. A moment of relief, followed by suspicion. Why was he helping me? That didn’t make sense.

Bang.

My heart stilled when I heard the gunshot. With a scream, Declan lunged. They both fell to the floor.

After a few painful seconds, I heard another gunshot and a pained groan. Declan stood up, bleeding from his shoulder. “I won’t stop until you get what you deserve, Dee,” he said, eyes burning with rage before he jogged out of the door.

Asher stood up, cursing and groaning. There was a small cut on his arm, but it didn’t look life-threatening.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m peachy, Pussycat. I love to occasionally tape myself to a gurney butt naked and hire a man to choke me just for the fun of it. I get off from that.”

“Your mouth…” he scoffed. “So, I’m not the only one who wants you gone? Maybe I should leave you right here so that he can finish you off,” Asher said, rubbing his hands together.

“Don’t you fucking dare, Maddox.”

14

ECHOES

DIYA

Asher walked toward me, his steps unhurried, whistling as he did.

“Take your sweet time. I’m in no hurry here,” I bit out.

“You’re welcome,” he whispered, staring at me with glittering eyes.

The asshole was enjoying my humiliation.

“Wait, how did you find me?” I asked with a frown.

“I saw him take you,” he said with a shrug, moving toward my leg and cutting off the tape around my feet.

“You saw him kidnap me and thought, ‘I might as well let him kill her for me.’ That’s just what a rational, well-adjusted person would do, right?” I let out a sharp laugh.