Page 31 of Retribution
“Knox, zip tie Gabriel please. It’s time to move him to his final resting place.”
Grave stares at me as if he has never seen me before.
“That’s right, Gabriel. The weak girl you knew is gone. And in her place is a stronger version that’s pissed off. This is what men like you don’t get. You made me a victim. But then something happened. I found myself. The woman I was supposed to be before you destroyed everything that I was. Payback is a bitch, but you’ll find that out.”
Knox zip ties him and yanks him to his feet.
“Hey, Gabriel, guess what today is?”
Looking up at me he shrugs his shoulders not having a clue.
“Ten years ago today, you killed my daughter, but also—it’sretribution day.
A day of pain.
Suffering.
Reckoning.
But not your death.
That’s something I’ll savor.
What is it you used to say to me?”
I pause for dramatic effect as I stare at him and he doesn’t respond.
“I can’t wait to make you cry, Wicked Little Bitch.”
I giggle, probably sounding as unhinged as I feel right now.
“I can’t wait to make you cry, Wicked Little Bitch.”I repeat the words he once said, back to him.
Walking over to the newborn baby, I look at the little pink onesie and assume it’s a girl. I swallow hard with a pang in my chest knowing what girls in this family endure. Not this one. I won’t allow any more suffering. The emotion wells up inside me as I realize this isn’t the end. She’s the beginning. The first in a family to not be abused. This is fucking monumental.
I pick the little girl up and hold her in my arms. Holding her close to my chest, I kiss her on the forehead.
“I don’t know what your future holds for you, but I promise it’s already better than it was.”
I glance at Bones and shake my head.
“What am I supposed to do with her? We have so much to do.”
He takes her from my arms with understanding.
“I will call Bella and Athena. They can watch over her for as long as you need. We’ll figure out a permanent situation after everything is done.”
Knox and Raven drag Grave out of the bedroom as he screams.
“I’m fucking naked.”
I laugh again when I hear Knox state the truth.
“It’s okay. You won’t need clothes where you’re going.”
Bones comes up and nods to Carter and Killian.
“Give us a minute.”
