Queen of my Heart

38 ⚠

MY FEET WERE ON AUTOPILOT.

"No!" In a split second, Gillian was under me, her wrists beneath me feet as I straddled her.

She cried out as I crunched her bones, but I only heard the erratic pump of blood in my ears. I slapped her once before wrapping my hands around her neck.

She gagged, desperately scratching at my arms. There was a brief sting. "Let me go!"

Die. Die. Die. "Shut up!"

A commotion was happening behind me, and I hoped that the lads were rescuing Shane. That Shane wasn't dead.

Shane. Shane. Shane.

He has to live.

I looked into Gillian's eyes. They were wide with fear.

Good, a voice inside me sneered. That girl tried to kill your best friend.

I loosened my grip a bit. "Why did you do it?"

Gillian was choking, wheezing, and gasping all at the same time. She was quite a pitiful sight, but I couldn't summon any sympathy.

"Why did you do it?" I repeated.

She coughed. "He cheated on me."

My iron grip was back. "He cheated? He cheated? Last time I checked, I was the third party, but I don't see you stabbing me."

"Didn't . . . Have . . . The . . . Chance." The fear was gone. Gillian was smiling, her eyes glinting with malice. "I . . . Would . . . Have . . . Done . . . It."

"Juliet!"

Somebody was trying to pry my hands off.

"Shit. Nicky, can I have a hand?"

Arms were pulling me away from Gillian.

"When the hell did she get so strong?"

I'm losing hold of Gillian. "No!" I screamed, struggling against the arms. "She's getting away! She's going to kill Shane!" Tears streamed down my cheeks as they completely pulled me away from her. "No," I sobbed, sagging against the person holding me. "Let me go. I have to protect Shane. I have to ki--"

"Shh, Juliet." Bryan. "Deep breaths. In, out. In, out. That's right. Fantastic. Now close your eyes. Yes, excellent."

My heartbeat calmed down, my breaths slowing. I couldn't open my eyes. "I'm tired."

I felt his warm fingers on my stomach. "I know, baby. I know."

Something felt wrong. "I'm sorry." I didn't know why I was apologizing. "I'm so sorry." The silent tears didn't stop coming.

Bryan kissed my hair. "I'm sorry, too."

● ● ●

"How is he?"

Nicky shrugged, not meeting my eyes. "Stable."

I breathed in relief, sagging against the chair. We've been waiting outside the operating room for hours, but I went to and fro the convenience store near the hospital since I couldn't bear the looks the lads have been giving me.

And I couldn't bear facing my guilt and shame.

I just almost killed a person.

Real smooth, Juliet. Real smooth.

A warm hand covered mine. Raising my eyes to meet Bryan's, I flashed him a smile. Tried to, at least. "I'm sorry," I mouthed.