Page 81 of Bloodlust

"What? Didn't have death on the menu, Doc?" I ask, the scent of fish and sea life filling my lungs. "Turn right." Hayden turns down the boardwalk. "Keep walking."

"Your organization doesn't have much time left, Camilla," he says. "Maybe a month or two before dozens of agents begin seizing everything you own."

"I don't believe you," I say as we reach the end of the dock and stop in front of a black speedboat. Hayden turns around, studying the gun in my hand. I grip it tighter, my chest rising as I add, "You're a liar. It's all lies."

"It's the truth, Camilla," he whispers, a saddened gaze flitting across my face. "I'm telling the truth. You killing me... It won't do anything. It won't help you or The Angels." He takes a hesitant step forward. "Put down the gun—" he looks into my fucking soul as he adds, "—this isn't you."

"You would know, wouldn't you, Doc?" I say in a trembling whisper as I take a step forward, the tip of the gun nearly pressed against his chest. "Are you even a doctor? Or was that also a lie?"

"I am a psychologist," he says, swallowing. "At the Bureau." He takes a small breath, his green eyes brimming with regret. "But you?" He pauses. "You were not at all what I thought you'd be."

"Really," I hum, fighting back tears. "And what am I, Hayden? You said I'm not a shark before.” I fix my grip on the gun. "It would seem as though you were wrong."

"You're on the wrong side of this, Camilla," he says, unfazed by the loaded pistol in my hand. "You know you are." He shakes his head. "You can't fight your morals forever. In your heart...you know you don't belong in this world." He swallows again. "Iknow you don't belong in this world." He extends his hand, reaching out to me and begging me to lean in. "Join us, Camilla. Do the right thing."

"You don't know me at all," I whisper, keeping my tone level. His words mirror Daniel's, and it damn near kills me. "Whatever pretty picture you have painted of me in your head, that isn't me. I'm not a saint, I'm not a traitor, and I sure as hell am not going to help youdestroymy fucking family and everything we've built!"

"Your family?"

"Listen." I grit my teeth, anger spiking and choking down the pain. "Inthisstory, Hayden, I'm the fucking villain. I know that. Iknowwho I am. At least I'm honest." I inhale a sharp breath. "You? You pretend to be the hero. Thegoodguy. But you're not! You're just a fucking liar masquerading behind the guise of law enforcement."

"I may have lied to you about who I am," he whispers in a low, weak voice. "But nothing else was a lie. It was all?—"

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

"That was before I knew…" He swallows. "That was before I knewyou."

"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," he 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 glower 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."

My pulse races. "What are you talking about?"

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

Chapter 22

Immunity

It's amazing how quickly love can turn into hate.

When I was a little girl, I loved snow. It was so white, so clean, so full of hope and joy. Snow was gentle.

It would catch me when I'd fall.

But as I grew up, I learned that snow was not always gentle. I learned that snow never stayed white for very long. It would get dirty.

Filthy.

Eventually, snow would turn into a tainted slush. And sometimes, it would become ice.