Page 176 of Ghost Ribbon

Never.

But now I couldn’t stop it.

He died with his lips against mine. With his last breath in my mouth. His heart stopped, and although the doctors managed to bring him back, his heart was still dead without that machine.

He needed a heart transplant in the next three days to survive.

I clutched the letter to my chest.

Outside the room, his family and friends were crying too. I could hear them but they didn’t disturb me.

I kissed his hand and the coolness of his skin against my lips would haunt me for the rest of my life.

“I’m sorry, baby,” my voice was so raw from crying so long. “I have to do something. And you will be mad at me.”

“No,” I corrected myself. “You will hate me.”

He would hate me.

I knew it.

I brushed his curls away and more tears fell.

“Forgive me,” I whispered.

Chapter 42 - Alexei

I had two choices.

One was to let him die.

So I chose the second one.

Chapter 43 - Alexei

Breaking News

Authorities are investigating a large-scale massacre that took place across multiple locations in New York City last night. Early reports indicate that more than 140 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks on the streets.

Police say the scenes were discovered in the early morning hours, and investigators are still working to determine the full scope of the violence. At this stage, officials have not released the names of the victims or confirmed a motive.

Law enforcement sources say they are treating the incident as a possible serial killing, though they have not ruled out other possibilities. No arrests have been made, and the public is being urged to remain vigilant as the investigation continues.

We will bring you more updates as information becomes available.

147

That was the number of people I killed in one night.

I was standing in my cousin’s office wearing the evidence of one hundred and forty-seven deaths. Dimitri’s hand slammed on the table. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?!” He raised his voice.

My gaze was dead when I looked back.

He ran a hand through his hair. “There were cameras, Alexei. Everywhere. You’re on several of them.”

Oh.

It wasn’t like I didn’t know that. I knew there would be cameras. I knew there would be evidence. But I didn’t care.