Page 119 of Bloodlust

"I know everything," I snap, marching toward himuntil I'm two inches away from his face. With hatred oozing from my pores, I spit, "You fucking killed him. You murdered him."

"I—"

"And you will pay for your crimes."

"What are you talking about?" my father asks. "What did you do?"

"I brought you home, Daddy," I whisper, chest rising with accomplishment. "I brought you home."

"You bugged my fucking house!" I cry out. "You used me! You pretended to care! You?—"

"That was before I knew—" Hayden swallows. "That was before I knew you."

"And what a mistake that was, huh?" I muse, eyes glossing over. "Getting to know me." I extend my arm, taking a step back as I point the gun at Hayden's chest. "Get in the boat."

Hayden's jaw locks. "Is this really the life you want, Camilla? I don't think it is. I think you want something with light and freedom and love."

"Love?" I let out a maniacal laugh, shaking my head. "Didn't you hear me, Doc? I'm a villain." A tear rolls down my face. "Villains don't get to fall in love."

"Neither do heroes," Hayden whispers. He sucks in a labored breath as he takes a step away from the boat. "I didn't want to do this. I thought you'd make up your own mind but... But you've left me no choice."

I narrow my eyes at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Your family," he begins in a gentle tone. "The ones you are so desperately trying to protect... They're the real villains here."

"Whatare you talking about?" I ask, pulse racing.

"It wasn't El Castro that murdered Daniel, Camilla," Hayden whispers. "It was your father."

I freeze, my knees weakening as the weight of his words crash down upon me like a meteor.

"What did you say?"

Hayden swallows. "Your father, Camilla, he... He placed a hit on Daniel."

"No." I shake my head fervently. "No, no, my father wouldn't do that. He wouldn't?—"

"I have proof," he says, slowly taking a tentative step toward me. "I have evidence that The Council wired funds to a man named Silo Frances. He's a hitman, Camilla. He's?—"

"No..." I whisper, taking a step away from him. I blink, hoping that this is all a joke, a dream, an illusion. "No..."

"Yes," Hayden breathes, apologetic but determined as he reaches for the gun in my hand. "Camilla." He places his hand on my cheek, trying to meet my fluttering gaze. "Your family lied to you. They... They betrayed you."

"No..." I whisper again, tears budding in my eyes as the blood in my veins boils to an unbearable degree. "No!"

"Help us," Hayden pleads, nodding as he watches my loyalty quickly vaporize under high heat. "Help us prosecute the people who did this." He swallows. "Help us put them away for life."

"My father." I whisper, chest rising as I struggle to breathe. "He..."

Memories of my parents meeting Daniel flash through my mind. My father's surprising support. My mother's welcoming smile. My father's encouragement, his acceptance, his words, his actions. They were all lies.

They were all...part of his plan.

His plan to hurt me. To destroy me.

To fucking kill me.

You need to die to become an angel.