Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 178117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 891(@200wpm)___ 712(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 178117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 891(@200wpm)___ 712(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
And I’m almost offended he’d even suggest we shouldn’t, until he opens his mouth again.
“You don’t deserve it.”
We both look at him over our shoulders, and he’s even gotten Penelope’s attention.
His fist balls. “Earn it.”
He marches at us and literally lifts us both from the ground with ease, setting us on our feet. He grabs my hand and shoves a bunch of smaller knives into my hand, and a gun and a giant knife into Alistair’s, then straps himself in with a bunch of weapons I’ve only ever seen once; when there was a giant turf war between the Phantoms and the Skull & Serpent Society.
He steps between us, focusing solely on Penelope as he grabs her face with one hand, caressing her cheek with his thumb. “Tell me what you need. Be specific.”
Her pupils dilate, and her lips part, almost as if she recognizes those words.
But I don’t remember him ever saying that.
Did they have a personal conversation I’m not aware of?
She swallows as they exchange looks. “Hurt him. Scar him where it hurts the most.”
His face darkens in a way that only happens when he’s on a murder spree, and he grabs her hand and slowly brings it to his lips, pressing a kiss on top as though he’s sealing a deal.
“I’ll bring him fucking hell for you.”
FELIX
I gather all my tools and weapons, stuffing them into a bag before I throw it over my shoulder.
“Wait, what’s going on?” Dylan asks as I put on my protective vest.
“War,” I growl back, grabbing my sharpest knives from the toolkit I keep hidden in my room.
I don’t even care to look at those two while they’re groveling.
They don’t deserve even an inch of her fucking forgiveness, let alone the air she breathes.
Because of her, we now know the truth about what really happened to Eve.
And I’m not going to let this go.
That baby … it could have been mine. Or Dylan’s. Or Alistair’s.
But we’ll never fucking know.
It’s dead because of the decisions of one fucked-up man.
I’m going to fucking annihilate him.
With determination, I tuck some more knives into my belt and pocket. This is how I will repent.
“A war against who?” Alistair asks.
“Oh, fuck my life,” Dylan mutters, shaking his head. “You’re going after—”
“The dean,” I reply, adjusting my belt buckle so all my knives are in the right place, ready to be used when I need them. And I’m gonna need all of them.
When I turn around, Dylan’s all up in my face.
“Hold up. You don’t actually want to go at him, do you?” He holds up his hands. “C’mon, Felix. We need to talk about this first.”
“Talking is for guilty people to avoid responsibility,” I reply. “I made that mistake once. I’m not making it again.”
He frowns. “When have you ever thought things through?”
But I ignore him and focus on getting all my gear ready. I’ll be nice and save some spares for Ali and Dylan too, in case they finally decide to man the fuck up.
“Felix!” Dylan tries to catch my attention. But when he blocks my way, he’s got it. “He’s my father.”
“And he killed Eve along with her baby.”
He’s staring at me like I’m making the gravest mistake of my life. But there’s no way back for me.
“I made a fucking vow to Penelope, and I intend to keep it, even if it costs me my own fucking life. Because that is what she deserves.”
Penelope’s eyes widen as I say the words, but I’m not ashamed.
“He’s right, D,” Ali says, glancing at both of us. “Your father … he ruined literal lives.”
“Felix.” Dylan’s right up in my face. “Don’t do this. You’re my friend. Don’t make me your enemy.”
“Then choose,” I growl back, leaning my forehead against his. “Because you can either stand in my way and get crushed … or help me bring that motherfucker down.”
His teeth grind as we engage in a death stare.
But eventually, he caves.
His eyes avert, and he punches the air, grunting out loud.
Behind him, Penelope has gathered a big white shirt and put it on, covering up her private parts. “Wait, are you really going to …?”
I tuck my last knife into my pocket and say, “I’m gonna fucking kill the son of a bitch.”
I grab my collection of knives and chuck some at Alistair. “You’re gonna help me.”
He briefly exchanges looks with Dylan but still tucks them into his pocket, nodding.
I look at Dylan and hold out a knife to him. “Are you in?”
He stampedes around the room, looking pissed as hell, but eventually, he gives in and snatches the knife out of my hand. “This is a mistake. It has to be. There’s no way—”
“Your father would rather destroy your lives and kill Eve and her baby than let you be a dad,” Penelope interjects as she steps forward.