Chapter 39

Vanessa

After we're both breathless, he pulls away. A satisfied smirk plays on his lips, and the blue flames in his eyes hold the lingering heat of desire.

Holy shit!

Words catch in my throat—a chaotic jumble of emotions and confusion. How do you even respond to a kiss that tastes like salvation and damnation all at the same damn time? He remains silent, yet his eyes communicate volumes, leaving me to question whether he was affected by that as deeply as I was.

He turns and strides purposefully over to my fallen captor, and I trail behind, cautiously peeking over his shoulder. The gruesome sight unfolds before me. Both of the man's hands are severed, leaving behind bloody, mangled stumps. Strips of flesh, reminiscent of hamburger meat, dangle from the jagged bones that remain. Dark, viscous blood oozes from the wounds, pooling onto the cold ground as the man writhes in agony, his howls carrying through the alley.

I clench my teeth, fighting the urge to throw up as Diego's word