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“Shoot me,” he says, voice trembling almost as much as mine.

“What?” I repeat.

He moves closer, kneeling between my open legs. He closes his eyes, swallowing. “I told you if I ever hurt you, you’d have to put a bullet through my heart.” He pauses. “This is the moment you shoot that bullet into my heart, Angel.”

He looks up, the corner of his mouth curling up in a gentle smile.

“You’re insane,” I whisper.

His blue eyes pierce through me, a million emotions swimming in that deep blue ocean. “I tried to warn you,” he murmurs. His hands cradle mine further, his thumb flicking off the safety on the gun. “This is your chance to practice shooting a gun for when you finally kill that motherfucker.”

I slowly shake my head, unable to process anything.

Our gazes are fixed on each other. My breaths are erratic; his are calm and steady. My hand trembles; his hold mine steady. My teeth clench; his mouth pulls into a relaxed smile.

“It’s okay.”

I squeeze my finger on the trigger.

I can’t do it.

I should do it.

Xander is dangerous.

“I love you,” he whispers, tears building in his eyes.

My chin trembles as I study our hands on the gun. The barrel pressed right into his heart.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and shake my head. Ripping my hands away from him, I squeeze my eyes and let free a sob.

Just then, the door to the studio bangs open against the wall.

“Xander.” Jacques’ voice pierces the hollow atmosphere.

Xander is up within seconds, striding towards Jacques. Jacques points his pistol towards Xander, but that doesn’t stop Xander from swinging his fist into Jacques’ stomach.

“What the fuck did you say to her?” he growls.

And the devil is unleashed.

Chapter 45

Xander

Red.

All I see is fucking red as Jacques strolls into the studio like he doesn’t have a care in the world. This is all because of him.

The barrel of his gun pointing straight at me does nothing to move the rage inside me. I hurtle towards him and aim my fist straight into his stomach.

He folds over himself, letting out a grunt, the weapon still aimed towards me with an outstretched arm.

“What the fuck did you say to her?” I growl in his face as I grab the back of his shirt and shove him into the mirror. He collides with the glass with a loud bang, the pistol creating a small crack in the reflection.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” he barks, turning to face me again.

He barrels straight towards me with his shoulder pointed towards my hip. Jacques isn’t weak by any means, and he boxes on the daily, but where he has the strength, I have the speed. I spin out of his way and jab my elbow into his back, sending him towards the floor. He groans as his arm folds underneath him.