Page 69 of Promise Me Never

“Sit down at the kitchen table,” Savannah said. She swiped up and the number pad appeared, asking for a passcode.

“What’s your code?”

“Gee, I can’t remember.”

“Not funny, Isabel.”

A loud banging made her jump. She turned to see where the noise had come from, and that moment of distraction was all it took. Isabel leapt up and knocked Savannah to the floor. Her head smacked against the hard wood, momentarily stunning her. Her hand released the gun, and it went skittering across the floor. Isabel jumped up and ran toward it, picking it up.

A voice called from outside. “Isabel, it’s Bennett.”

“Shit! He has a key,” Isabel muttered.

Savannah heard the lock turn and the door open.

As Bennett strode in, he took in the scene and his eyes widened. “What the hell is going on?”

“You’re supposed to be in Rome. How did you know we were here?” Isabel calmly asked.

“I saw you, Iz. I have cameras in the house. I wondered why you were visiting, then I saw you plant those phones.”

“Both of you, in the living room now. Let’s all have a little chat,” Isabel yelled.

Bennett began to walk toward Isabel, and she pointed the gun past him and fired. Both he and Savannah jumped.

“I’m not screwing around. Both of you, do as I say,” Isabel commanded.

Bennett grabbed Savannah’s hand and they moved into the next room.

“I kept calling you, why didn’t you answer?” Bennett whispered to Savannah.

“I’m sorry. I believed her. I thought you were dangerous.”

Isabel stood in front of the two of them. “Bennett, you move to that chair. Let go of her hand.”

Bennett put his hands up. “Okay, whatever you say, Iz. Let’s talk about this calmly.”

“What is there to talk about? You always choose someone over me. This is all your fault.”

“You have a boyfriend. I thought we agreed we were better off as friends.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you fucking kidding me? You agreed. You broke my heart. Over and over. I loved you. I’ve always loved you! I’m the only one who’s stood by your side through everything and you kept choosing other women. I even forgave you for marrying Poppy. She was special.” She pointed at Savannah with the gun. “But this one. She’s nothing. A boring little nothing. How can you not know that I’m your destiny? If the only way I can make you see that is from a prison cell, then so be it. At least you won’t keep picking the wrong women. You’ll be put away for a long time for killing them.”

Bennett started to get up.

“Sit down!”

“But Iz, I didn’t kill them. Did you?”

“It was for your own good. They weren’t right for you. They would have hurt you. I was trying to protect you.”

“How could you?”

“The better question is how could you? You said you loved me.”

“You need help. Iz, put the gun down. We can get you help.”

“Ha, right. No way. Savannah’s going to join the others in the well, and you’re going down for all of it.”