Page 42 of Devil’s Candy

“Fuck.” Rock turns to me. “That’s…”

“It was the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life. Women are fragile. Too easily hurt. It made me feel…” Like I deserved hell. Like an eternity burning wasn’t enough. “The right woman will make every part of your life softer, warmer, better in every way. Rebecca was beautiful and vibrant. And I took that light. Imagine knowing that because of you, the world is worse.”

Rock is silent.

“Men can justify their actions when they hurt people who are weaker. They had it coming. I was doing what I had to do. It wasn’t that bad. She was being dramatic. Blah, blah, bullshit. But if you strip away your own justifications…” I turn the car onto Claremont, more certain than ever of where we’re going. “And if you’re honest with yourself, you know that you are just a selfish bastard and that you have taken from someone else, from the world, for your own momentary gain. That’s the man I never want to be again.”

“Why’d you do it? Why kill her?”

“My boss held a knife over my daughters. And it’s a good reason. I told myself I had to do it. But when you justify real darkness…” I swallow. “I like the shadows. It hides the dark spots on my soul.”

I watch as Vinnie pulls his SUV into the alley next to Killian’s building. I have no idea how he found this location. Killian is careful.

Then again, Killian hasn’t been acting like himself.

I pass by the street and pull into the next. “Rock…you sneak across the street. Take a sniper position. You kill a man before?”

“Yep.”

“If Vinnie has Chloe you take the shot, but only if it’s clean. She doesn’t get hurt.”

“Got it.”

I step out of the car too, working my way around the building, which takes way too long. But I can’t give away my position now. Surprise is my best element considering Vinnie has three other men with him.

I clear the side of the building, staying in its shadow as I pull my hat low and peer around the corner.

People can sense the whites of your eyes, you have to keep them hidden even in the shadows.

The only thing I see is the chauffeur standing by a side entrance to the building.

I hardly feel the dread as I cross the alley and press myself to the next building. I’ve learned to move silently, and the chauffeur doesn’t even look my way as I place myself against the other building, moving toward where the Escalade is parked.

That’s when the door bangs open, Vinnie and another of his goons coming out with Chloe between them.

They’ve each got a hand around one of her biceps, pulling her along, even as she tries to fight, her cheeks stained with tears.

I don’t feel like I did when I saw a man’s hands around Candy’s throat, but I don’t like it either as I crouch down, rolling myself under Vinnie’s SUV.

“Please,” I hear Chloe beg. “Please.”

“Shut up.” Vinnie slaps her, I hear it echo off the buildings as my teeth clench. “You’ll be fine as long as you do exactly what I say.”

What he’s saying is complete bullshit, of course.

But he’s not leaving here with her, so it doesn’t matter. Where I’m poised, they’ll never even make it inside the car.

I hear Chloe whimper as their feet come into view. I’ve already got my small pistol in my hand, but I pull a second from my belt, pointing them both.

They move around the back of the car, a man in the front, Vinnie and another man, and the chauffeur bringing up the rear with Chloe in the middle.

I take a slow breath as they move around the back of the car.

“We need to have a chat with your husband,” Vinnie is saying to Chloe. “You’re going to help us.”

“I…” Chloe’s voice breaks. “I’m not sure…”

He smacks her again and my molars grind together.