no turning back

• twenty one •

elijah

For the remaining ten hours of the drive, I dreamt of all the ways I could kill my brother. Successfully, this time.

I didn't trust him, but I had foolishly believed our business arrangement and the money on the line, along with my litany of threats, would keep him from touching the only thing in this world that mattered to me. The only person who mattered to me.

And like all things in life, I realized that no one would take care of my belongings the way I did. For that, Raman would die.

Just the sight of him looking at her like a predator made my hands ache for violence. He'd gotten too comfortable with his power. He seems to think we were dual dictators, but there was only one ruler here and it would never be his pussy ass.

Since I didn't have time to deal with him and the women by myself now, I'd wait until we reached the farm in Arkansas, our home base. Then, I'd tie him to the horses and send them running until all that was left of him was ripped tissue, shattered bones, and blood trails. I could even use his remnants as fertilizer for the garden.

How quaint.

What I hadn't decided was whether I'd kill his play toy while I was at it. I'd only known her for a few hours but she was already a goddamn nuisance. I didn't have the time, energy, or fucks to deal with her. And if Raman wasn't around, I had no use for her either.

Gladys was oddly protective of her, though. Not that I was surprised. Anyone she had any kind of connection with, regardless of how minute, she fiercely defended.

At this point, I didn't want to do anything else to drive my angel away from me. Her fleeting moments of submission were intoxicating. I missed how easily she once gave in to me.

Naturally, things would not return to that until she was ready. She gave herself to me because she loved and trusted me, and I hadn't given her a reason to feel either of those now.

But, I would. I would have all of her and she would be begging me for it. As much as she wanted to deny it, her light was made for my darkness, the sun to my moon.

She was mine and she would always be mine. Taking her as my wife only legalized the lifelong commitment I'd already made to her.

"What are we doing to do with them?" Raman asked, dipping his head toward the backseat.

My eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, which I'd centered on Gladys' slack face a few hours ago. She looked peaceful for the first time since I'd laid eyes on her that night in the bar.

I was worried to think she'd been so tense and troubled during our time apart. It wasn't good for anyone's health to be so stressed.

"We'll tie Jesse to your bed," I said. That way, I didn't have to worry about her while I took care of this stupid fucker.

He blew out a breath that sounded more like an annoyed chuckle. "I would've prepared better for this had you given me some warning."

I glanced briefly at him, pleased to see the sprout of purplish green color around his cheekbone.

"You were told to be ready at any time," I reminded him. "I couldn't risk anyone knowing of my leave or return. The FBI is looking for me, if you haven't forgotten."