Page 71 of Dark Side of the Cloth (The Righteous 1)
Dean remained quiet and let the information sink in. A soft dusting of snow was falling from the sky. It looked beautiful as it landed on Yasmine’s eyelashes, her spring green eyes full of unshed tears. She stared at nothing, and he knew she was in shock. He rubbed her arms vigorously, and as her eyes turned to him, he laid a soft kiss on her lips—taking a chance.
She stared at him, silently asking him questions he couldn’t answer. Tears trickled down her face, and he quickly wiped them with his thumbs before they could freeze in place.
“I’m going to continue with my work. It may be hard for you to watch or hear, but I cannot let him go. I cannot let him live. Do you understand?”
“Can he speak? I want to talk to him.”
“I haven’t cut out his tongue yet, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I don’t care what you think. He took my sister, my twin, my best friend.” She stopped and took a deep breath. “He took the other half of my soul, and in taking that, he took my mother and my father from me. He took everything I had that was good, and I need to know why.”
Her lower lip trembled, but her voice never wavered.
“I’ve spent every night praying for forgiveness that I didn’t get help in time to save my sister. I still see her arms reaching for me. Her screaming Yazzy as I ran from the room like a coward.”
“You weren’t and are not a coward Yasmine. You were only a child, and you did everything you could.”
Wrapping her arm around the tree, she pulled herself upright, and he could tell by the determined look on her face that she wasn’t about to give up.
“Fine, but you shouldn’t expect much. He’s not exactly a person looking for forgiveness. He scooped Yasmine up and walked her toward his prey. Gingerly, he placed her on her feet, keeping a steadying arm around her waist.
“What’s his name?”
“Does it matter?”
“I want to know.”
“I call him Piggy, but his name is Simon.” Dean shrugged.
Yasmine turned to the man.
“Why did you take my sister? Why did you kill her?”
The man’s head slowly rose in the dimmed light, his eyes full of hate even though he knew his life was over.
“Get on your knees and suck my cock bitch, maybe then I’ll tell you.”
Dean backhanded the guy across the mouth. Blood and spittle flew as a resounding crack echoed around them.
“Unless you want me to come up with even more creative ways to punish you, I’d suggest you mind your mouth in front of the lady and answer her questions.”
Those cold greyish eyes met his own. Rage and evil brewed under the surface—this was the only time Dean believed there could be a devil. The way his prey always seemed to be infected with a darkness that felt tangible and made him question his beliefs.
“Do I need to repeat myself?” Dean raised his hand, and the man jerked in his chain restraints. They jingled softly, announcing how powerless he was.
“No.”
“Good, now answer the question,” Dean ordered.
Dean looked down at Yasmine, and she was staring up at him. He knew there was no way after what she’d seen tonight that she’d ever want anything to do with him again. Plus, he wouldn’t have been able to hide this from her if he wanted a relationship with her. With that came the knowledge that there had always been a possibility she wouldn’t accept what he must do.
Yet, he wouldn’t change pursuing her, and even though he’d never intended for her to follow him, this was for the best. It was time for him to move on. He’d become too complacent and, dare he admit…happy. Her eyes were hooded, but he could see the uncertainty that weighed on her.
“We planned on taking you both.”
Simon finally said as he winced and took a ragged breath.
“Twins with red hair and green eyes.” The man licked his lips, and Dean felt Yasmine shudder against him. “Why the two of you? Why not the two of you? You were young, twins, and hot pieces of tail. That was the only criteria of the game. Well, that and opportunity, that stupid festival just kicked the door wide open.”
