Not like this.
She is starting to rouse, and everything is going to go to shit if he does not make a decision soon. She makes a noise in the back of her throat, and River straightens his posture.
“Fine,” he says. “Fine. On the count of three, old friend.”
River counts.
I have always been a man of my word. But he has not. On three, he steps away from Ray. I release the girl and step back. She wakes- bound and startled- and her eyes move straight to River. Recognition flashes followed up with rage.
She struggles against her restraints in an attempt to get to him, and River breathes her name, low and quiet.
It is a secret to him. One that he does not wish to share with the world.
“It has been so long,” he says. “I know you are angry. Confused. But in time, this will change.”
“In time, I will cut your throat,” she snarls.
He looks away from her, unable to bear witness to her wrath. His eyes seek out mine, full of remorse.
“Old friend, I have always cared for you. That was never a lie. You must know this.”
“I can no longer believe anything you say to be true,” I answer.
He nods in understanding. And then he looks at the girl again.
“For you, my love.”
He shoots Ray in the head. Without warning. Without hesitation. I have already raised my gun, but it is too late.
His is aimed straight for my face.
Chapter Forty-Six
Iam makinga cup of tea when the doorbell rings.
The doorbell never rings. Not here at Moldavia. I retrieve the small pistol that I took from my father’s house and move towards the door.
“Isabella,” a voice speaks from the other side. “It’s me.”
My chest expands with air, and in a moment, I forget that I can no longer trust him. He is not a friend. But it doesn’t matter.
The only thing my mind can comprehend right now is that he is back.
He is the last link to Javi that I have. I keep the gun in my hand and open the door. River stands on the other side, apple in hand. Relaxed as ever. Casual as ever. But there is something very different about him.
His usual smirk is absent, and instead, his eyes are heavy and flat.
“Are you going to invite me in for a cup of tea?” he asks.
“No,” I answer. “But you can come in for the truth if you’d like.”
He gives me a stiff nod and joins me inside. The pistol remains clutched in my hand as he takes a seat at the counter island. I maintain a safe distance from the other side.
He eyes the weapon but does not appear to be bothered by it. I don’t expect him to. Some men hide their evil well. Men like my father. Men like River.
“You betrayed him,” I whisper.
I can’t keep the tears from falling this time. I can’t help getting emotional as I recall the horrifying details of Javi’s childhood.