“I think we have a unique opportunity to work together—”
“Why the fuck would I ever—” Cash shuts up when a cold, metal gun barrel is pressed to my temple. His jaw flexes and his eyes flare.
“The way I see it,” Leo continues casually like he isn’t holding me at gunpoint, “sheis our problem. Eliminate her, eliminate the threat to both of us. If not, I’m going to be forced to arrest you as the June Harbor Slayer. I can’t have her running her mouth about me, now can I?”
My heart sinks, thinking of what will happen if Cash is forced into that situation.I will die before I break that promise,his words echo hollowly in my head.
“But with her out of the picture, we can continue on with our lives. When I kill again, I won’t use you, and I will also ensure nothing from the previous murders traces back to you. Ever. I’ll make sure the police turn a blind eye to whatever you need, and in return, you’ll keep your knowledge about me to yourself.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Well, who do you think a jury would believe? The celebrated cop who caught the serial killer terrorizing this fair city, or a known gangster with a tattoo matching the killer?” Cash bites his lip, considering the double bind. I consider it too, and Leo is right, this doesn’t end well for Cash.
Cash stands up straight and clasps his hands in front of him. “What are you proposing?”
“Mutually assured destruction.” He points to a CCTV camera in the corner of the room. “We both get a copy. You get my confession, and I get video evidence of you killing Harlow Hargrave.” My heart plummets to my stomach.
“No.Never,” Cash growls, his fists clenching.
“It’s a good offer, Fox. You can’t possibly be that attached to the bitch.” Cash eyes him viciously. “It’s either her or you following in your father’s footsteps.”
I run the scenario through my mind and am overcome with an unexpected calmness. This actually doesn’t sound so crazy. I disappear, and Cash gets to continue to live his life free. And how many times have I prayed that the slayer would finish the job? How many times have I welcomed death, instead of continuing this painful existence…that was before Cash, of course. But still, he has so much more to live for. I only have him.
I may sound crazy, but I feel incredibly sane when I say, “Do it.”
“What?” Cash whips around to me, eyes both angry and heartbroken.
“This scene has already been processed, the department’s cleaners are coming later today. All evidence will be expertly removed,” Leo adds. He gathers Cash’s guns off the desk and heads to the door. “I’ll give you two a moment.” He steps outside.
Cash lumbers to me, his wounded leg dragging. He clutches my face and kisses me hard and sweet, then presses his forehead against mine. “A chuisle,I’m not killing you. Are you crazy?”
“It’s okay, baby,” I say softly. “I don’t have anyone. You have a whole family, a whole community, relying on you.”
“You have me,a chuisle,”he rasps.
“People need you. Your brothers need you.”
“I needyou.”His voice cracks, and it splinters something in me too.
I reach for his face with my free hand and stroke his cheek, “Just make me go to sleep first, baby. You’ve done it before, you can do it again.”
“No. No, I can’t.” He shakes his head, and a tear wets my thumb on his cheek.
“Shh, yes you can. It’s okay, I’m ready.” In a way, I always knew this is how this would end. This was a death sentence from the beginning, and I still jumped in headfirst. I kiss him, drinking in the smell and feel of him, committing it all to memory in case I can bring the memories with me to the afterlife.
His mouth pleads with mine as he yearns for a better solution. But there isn’t one. This is the best we’ll get. “You’re willing to die for me,a chuisle?”
“I love you, Cash Fox.” I breathe, and he pulls me tighter.
“I love you,a chuisle mo chroí.”He swallows, and my heart slows down as he moves behind me. He's repeating his words over and over in my ear as he wraps his arm around my neck. He tightens his grip and presses his forehead against the back of my head with a sigh. He sniffles once and then squeezes.
It’s mere seconds until darkness overwhelms me.
See you soon, Beth.
1.Baptize Me—X Ambassadors, Jacob Banks | SummerOtoole.com/Playlists
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