Secrets and Scars: A Gripping Psychological Thriller (Fatal Hearts Series Book 3) by Dori Lavelle Page A

Twenty-Four
     
    My head slammed against the ground again. He’d let me go.
    He didn’t need to say a word for me to know we had reached our final destination. The chill that vibrated from deep within my body signaled danger.
    He didn’t turn around immediately, but stood there, gazing into the distance, in the direction of the sea.
    A flicker of hope touched my spine. What if Miles was back and he was afraid to turn around, to see the damage his other persona had done? What if he was afraid to look me in the eyes and see the pain?
    No—I could not rely on hope. It also didn’t matter whether it was Miles or Alvin standing before me now.
    I had to stick to my plan, to use the only weapon available to me.
    The bag writhed as the snake tried to set itself free. I wanted to let it go, but something caused me to hesitate.
    If I opened the bag, I had to be ready to die as well. The snake could end up biting me instead of my target.
    Giving myself a little time to think, I placed the bag underneath the shade of one of the bushes, far enough that Alvin would not be able to see it at first.
    I must have hesitated too long, because Alvin was turning toward me. His eyes landed on me. This time I did not pretend to be unconscious.
    “That’s what I thought.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I knew you were awake.” He rolled his neck. “I’m tired, Kelly. I’m done playing games.”
    I didn’t respond, just watched his empty eyes, studied his face.
    The cuts and bruises, and the dirt on his face and hair proved the chase had not been easy on him either. He looked like a caveman. A glimmer of satisfaction flowed through me.
    He pulled his hands out of his pockets and pointed a dirty finger at me. “I can’t wait to finish this and get back to my yacht for a bath and a good meal.” He smacked his lips “That’s something you’ll never have again. This island is where you’re going to die.”
    I sat up, my back turned to the bush that concealed my secret weapon. I lifted my chin in defiance and held his gaze. “You can try to murder me, but I won’t make it easy.” I took a shaky breath. My hands curled into fists by my sides. “And just so you know, yesterday I talked to a proxy back in Boca Raton. I told him what you did to me, and about every murder you committed. I instructed him to hand all the information I have on you to the cops and the press. If you finish me, you will be finished too.”
    To my surprise, something shifted inside his eyes. They started to sparkle, and then his shoulders slumped forward. His hands dropped to his sides, his fingers twitching. His lips trembled as though he wanted to tell me something.
    Then Miles appeared.
    “Forgive me, Chloe.” He brought his palms together. “I’m sorry for everything... for letting you get hurt. I can’t go to prison. I can’t.”
    My hand clawed into the soft patch of soil next to me, my nails digging in, gripping the dirt. It was the only thing I could do. The conflict inside me was tearing me apart. I still wanted to protect Miles… but there was only one way out of my situation. The best thing I could do for Miles was prepare him.
    “I’ve paid for my crimes. I’ve paid for the mistakes I made in childhood, and then some. I don't owe you or anybody anything. Not anymore.” My speech was meant for Alvin. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I spoke. “If the only way for me to set myself free is to kill you, that’s what I’ll do.”
    Miles’s face crumpled. Pain flared in his eyes.
    I couldn’t let my walls crumble now. I couldn’t let him in. Faced with a life-and-death situation, I had to leave our shared past behind. I had to pretend the good moments, the memories, and the love had never existed.
    “I understand.” Miles raked a hand through his hair. “Maybe you’re right. I probably deserve it for not protecting you from that part of myself.”
    His unexpected surrender took me by surprise. I let the words hang between