Lily |18+ [Paraíso, #1]

fourteen

|J A K E|

My mind keeps on flashing back to the anguished expression on Julia's face as I drove away.

Can't blame her for thinking the worst of me right now, and maybe it's better that way. Let her be disgusted by me so much that even the thought of me touching her repulses her. God knows I'm getting in over my head when it comes to her.

No good ever comes out of an encounter with the serpent known as my aunt Eve. Worst of all is that she “accidentally” let it slip that Eliza is my ex-wife and is now offering help in taking care of the situation. Like I don't know first-hand what a lying snake she can be.

Now I just have to hope Luke's information was credible and that she actually works as a cosmetologist in one of the spa salons in this mall.

Sure enough, I spot her head for her car, her phone in one ear. She adjusts her purse and her eyes sweep around the parking lot for any signs that she's being followed. When she comes up empty, she digs into her purse searching for something.

Several high school boys honk at her as they drive off, asking if she needs any help and all that crappy innuendo stuff teenagers say when they see an attractive female.

Eliza's beautiful— can't deny that— but only on the outside. With her Latin looks and high cheekbones, it was all too simple. Nothing so pretty could possibly harm you, right?

Wrong.

A big fucking wrong because guess what? My pretty and beautiful ex-wife had the guts to take a gun and aim it at—

My hands clutch the roots of my hair as the memories flood my mind. They're enough to warrant an instant migraine on the spot.

I shake my head while I pace in the small space, trying to rid off the ugly images that pop up inside my brain.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. I growl out in frustration. Why the fuck am I even beating around the bush?

I was playing a cat and mouse game when she's been in Northlake this whole time. I'm going to fuck her up. I'm going to make sure she experiences the type of pain a human of her caliber deserves.

I'm reaching for the firearm in the back of my jeans when someone blocks my line of view.

I groan at the sight of my brother. "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

"No, you've got to be fucking kidding me," David says. I look past his shoulder and see that Eliza's getting into her car and preparing to drive off.

There goes my fucking chance.

I focus my gaze on David and make sure he sees that he's about to be on the receiving end of my anger. 

"Julia called," he explains, answering what he knew I was about to ask.

"Why am I not surprised?"  

"Don't be mad, she was just concerned about you."

I'm more concerned about the fact that he's right here and not in the sacred shrine he calls his office.

"I need to end this, David."

"I know, but the way you're going about it will bring you nothing but misery."

I give him a hard look. "No, it will bring me nothing but pure satisfaction."

"Get your head out of your ass for one second." He takes a deep breath. "Okay, let's go over the scenarios if you went on ahead and shot her. Best case scenario, you'd take out your gun, aim it at her and make a clean shot, right?"