Page 41 of Master A-0011
My hand lifted, and I opened my eyes just in time to see her lips encase the wound. Small tugs of suction had my fingers burying in her hair and keeping her in place.
“You’re making it impossible for me not to take you right here, baby. Fuck.” I pulled her up, pushing my tongue into her mouth, moaning at the traces of metallic bliss.
“Your turn.”
I didn’t have to be told twice. I grabbed the knife, lowering and taking glimpses of the small heart. Pretty, yes. Pearl…always.
A small gasp left Pearl as I broke the skin. Blood beaded, and I took my time making my heart just as flawless as hers. When I was bringing her finger to my mouth, I was lost in her. Lost in love. Love: an emotion I thought could never exist.
Love.
Love.
Love.
“You wanted something else.”
I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my breathing and lust.
“Yes. We were talking about rings. I’ve only ever wanted one, Ethan. Just one. The Mallory Diamond. It used to be my mother’s.” Her eyes glazed over with tears. “He gave it to her. The ring Vicki wears is different from my mom’s, but the large diamond in the middle is the same. It’s all that’s left of my mother. Can I have that one? Can you take the diamond andmake me a special ring? I don’t want just any diamond. I want the one my mom wore. I want to erase Vicki’s memory from ever having it.”
“Elec and I were just talking about making you one.The Mallory Diamond. I’ve heard of it. That would be the perfect engagement ring,” I breathed out. “That one. It’s like fate. Vicki has it on?” Pearl nodded, and I walked over, grabbing the hatchet from the cart. “Then let’s go get it.”
Pearl grabbed my hand, staying at my side as we headed into the living area. The large diamond wasn’t hard to miss, and neither were Quincy’s yells as he saw us enter the room. “This was meant to be, just like us. I’m going to put that diamond into the most stunning engagement band the world has ever seen. I want the world to know who I chose. After I finish making you the perfect set, engagement and wedding band, there will be no doubt.”
“And they’ll stay in our line? You promise?”
“Pearl, baby.” I drew her in. “That ring will not just be part of our legacy; it’ll be a symbol of what love can be. People will look at us and pray they find someone who cares for them just as much as we care for each other.I can’t wait to marry you.”
She hugged me tightly, and it was torture to pull back. I wanted to keep holding her. To try to prove my words, even though I knew only time could do that.
“I can’t wait to marry you too. Let’s get that ring.”
“Say no more.”
Pearl glanced at her father, showing none of the fear she’d held before. She glared at him, only breaking her stare as I stopped next to Vicki, flattening the semi-unconscious brunette woman’s hand on the ground next to her. At my grin, Pearl matched it, even biting against her bottom lip as I lifted the hatchet.
“Do it. It should never have been on her finger to begin with.I hate her.”
Whack!
I brought the blade down hard over all four fingers, just like I had with the butcher. The loud thud had Quincy yelling into his gag, rolling on the floor as he tried to push closer to the door. He was so weak he could barely move. Between Vicki and Sissy’s screams, the apartment was damn near deafening.
And I loved it.
Blood was pooling.
Fingers were rolling.
My future wife was smiling.
I picked up Vicki’s hand, pulling the large, clustered diamond ring from the nub she had left.
Pearl and I wereeverything, and our night was just beginning. Come morning, she’d be gone. Her scar would be gone. Although that made me sad, we had a lifetime of memories to create, and so long as marks and murder were on the menu, I’d be the luckiest man on earth.
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“Don’t stop. Don’t stop.”