Chapter 23

Bradley's eyes were bottomless, filled with a madness Caroline couldn't comprehend and a devotion that bordered on worship. The world went completely still until all she could hear was the steady beating of his heart, pulsing through the gun, each heartbeat trembling against her fingertip. Struggle, pain, and fear—the years of suppression and the brutal tension of this moment tore mercilessly at Caroline's nerves. "Ah!" A devastating, broken scream tore from Caroline's throat. Her finger jerked. A gunshot echoed through the air, sending a flock of birds fleeing into the sky. Warm blood gushed down Bradley's shoulder. He looked at her dumbfounded and pain-stricken face and smiled. "You couldn't do it—" Before he could finish speaking, another gunshot echoed. Bradley's body swayed violently. This time, she had hit his heart. Bradley looked up at her, a curious sense of release spreading across his features. He almost appeared oddly satisfied. "To die by your hand isn't so bad." H