𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝟏𝟖+

45. death

POPPY ELLISON

✥

I didn't think it would hurt this bad, to see Gabriel's face distraught and to see his heart literally shatter before me. Fuck. I knew it would kill but this feels like death in its own right and a part of me wishes he strangled me so he could get even.

My chest heaves as I stare back at him and his broken expression. I'm fucking bleeding from the inside out and he has no idea. I shake against the wall as he steps away, his hands flinching by his sides.

I open my mouth to speak but I have no idea what to truly say right now, emotions are high and I don't know what he's planning next. My eyes ache from the tears that have left them, not stopping for a single second.

He turns away and swipes a hand through his dark hair. I can hear him breathing, I can see it too in the darkness as it wafts from his mouth.

"Gabriel–"

"Don't," he grits his teeth. "Don't you fucking dare."

My lips tremble at the tone of his voice. I squeeze my eyes together. There is no coming back from this and I only have myself to blame. I hate myself for being so weak but I refused to become Rexx's double. I'd rather kill myself than become even a fraction of what he is.

Gabriel's eyes meet mine, his face barely lit up by the moonlight. I can't tell if the look in his eye is one of murder or one of confusion. My forehead aches and I resist the urge to rub it.

After a few moments he shakes his head and walks down the alley where I finally exhale the long breath I've been keeping in my lungs. I double over and release a cry, my entire body shaking endlessly.

"Stop," I whisper harshly to myself through a sob. "Stop."

I raise my hand and slap myself straight across my face, letting it burn across my injuries that already lie there. My head focuses straight at the wall in front of me, I tighten my fists as blind fury flickers through me like a tornado.

Fuck Rexx. Fuck everything he's done to me. Fuck everything he's put me through.

My life is pretty much over, I might as well try and make something out of it now. I've got nothing to lose. Not a single thing. Gabriel won't forgive me. Rexx will want me dead. No doubt I'll have a target on my head after Lonzo finds out.

The thought of dying almost gives me peace but I know I have one thing to do before I give it all up. With all the adrenaline that is pumping through my body, I refuse to let it go to waste.

I'm going to make him fucking pay.

I dig my fingernails into my palms before releasing a low growl of determination. My head twists down the alley and I slip back into the club through the door. I keep my gaze low, I have no idea where Gabriel went but the last thing I need right now is to cross him.

My back keeps to the wall as I see a group of people leave the large kitchen at the end of the hall. I wait until they're gone before slipping inside. My hands rummage through the drawers until I find the largest knife I can before making a run for it.

I'm out of the club faster than lightning, hiding the knife in my belongings. My hand waves to signal down a cab and I get him to take me to my prison for the last three years. Bile rises in my throat when I think about what I'm going to do.

I barely have a plan. I'm fuelled by anger and revenge right now.

I'm craving his life. To see the light fade from his eyes. If it claims mine too, I'll gladly accept it. We'll deserve to die together but as long as he dies, I'm happy to as well.