The Lover Who Became My Killer

t me everything. I gave him eight years, built his empi

dent, he had me delivered

he faint, fluttering warmth I had cherished within myself simply... vanished. The

stroy," he whispered, his voice void of

ueen he was willing to sacrifice for a pretty new pawn. My last thought was

y eyes sna

teering wheel. The date on my phone seared itself into my

be a sacrifice. This

pte

Case

ngton, my lover-the father of my unborn

. I was his strategist, his enforcer, his other half. I had once shielded him from a fatal attack, literally. The faint, silvery scar above

lies and watercolor paint

coming home later. His phone, once left carelessly on the nightstand, was now always in his pocket, screen down. He'd smile at me, but the smile nev

wide, innocent eyes and a fragile frame that looked like a strong gust of wind could snap her in two. The

set her up in a penthouse downtown, boss. Pays her tui

The penthouse was one of our syndicate's secure properties, a place I myself had cleared for high-value ass

how to do. I moved

arrived, she looked like a scared little girl. But I kne

ct at our enemies. He didn't even look at me. His eyes were locked on her, his f

were a physical blow, so sharp my

ce a low, dangerous rumble. He held the crying girl a

r, a death sentence for

ting to reveal on the anniversary of our partnership. I thought it would bind u

s wr

was the coldest smile I had ever seen. He praised me for my initiative, told me I did the right

ing weakness w

e dim light. Conrad was there, holding Eliana's hand, watching. Tears streamed down my face as a cold finality settled in my soul, an irr

sil

"Now you understand. Anything that threatens

the situation," he said over his shoulder to his men who had gathered in t

was a bitter one. In his world, Conrad was a king. I was just the queen

kne

ing light. The squeal

e steering wheel. My heart was pounding like a drum against my ribs, my body sli

or my phone. The date on the screen seared itself into my brain. It was

were waiting for my signal. Inside,

ho of that fragile cry, the leering faces of Conrad's

Not

o be a sacrifice

nd picked up the walkie-talkie. "L

s voice crackle

few blocks from her apartment. Wipe the security

Then, "Un

t neutralized. Now for the other one. The tiny, innocent one growing

ngers shaking as I searched for a

use. I would let Conrad rescue his damsel

see it with

to a halt. Conrad leaped out before it had even fully stopped, his face etched with a panic I had neve

and just before he got in, he looked up, his eyes scanning the darkness. For a terrifying second, I thought he'd seen me. His gaze seemed

t for an enemy.

into a million more pieces. I watched them drive away

ght years, the loyalty, the love I

eternity, the cold night air seeping into my bones. Then, with a resolve forged i

him from my future. A future that had to be my own. My life as Alan