Page 168 of Fatality

I lean closer, my eyes hard.

“Because I never fucking did.” I turn my head. “Varek!” I shout.

A minute later, Varek appears.

“Yeah, boss?”

“Get her out of here.” I jerk my head toward Lira. “I don't want to see her crying ass anymore. And make sure she doesn't come back, or I'll deal with both of you personally.”

Varek nods.

Without a word, he scoops Lira up like she weighs nothing. She pounds on his chest, crying and screaming, but the giant barely reacts before carrying her away.

I whirl around, looking for someone to take my frustration out on.

I'm angry enough to kill somebody.

Instead, I find myself looking for the one person who doesn't break because I tell her to.

I want a fight.

I want to hear Riven tell me to go fuck myself instead of crying like a damn child.

Because at least Riven's hatred is real.

And right now, I need something real.

My enhanced eyes, still glowing, sweep across the crowd before settling on my Charger.

The spot where I left her.

Empty.

My jaw clenches so hard I swear my teeth are about to crack.

Where the fuck is she? Did she run? Did some idiot put his hands on her while I was dealing with Lira?

No.

The realization crashes into me.

She ran.

A slow grin pulls at my lips. She saw that bitch throw herself at me and ran.

Oh, God.

I hope she's fucking furious.

My mind tears itself in two.

One part of me—the part that still wants her dead—is telling me to let her go.

Walk away. Forget she ever existed and go back to the way things are supposed to be.

The other—The darker part—It's fucking thrilled.

Thrilled that she escaped, that she's making me chase her again.