The house felt too quiet after the gunshot, like every corner was holding its breath. The stranger's body still lay on the cold floor, blood spreading slowly, touching the edge of the rug.
Aria could not take her eyes off it. She wanted to close her eyes, but even if she did, she knew the picture would stay in her mind. The broken sound of his voice, the way he fell, the way his hand had reached for her, it would haunt her.
Sebastian finally stood up straight. He had wiped his hand on a napkin, as if killing was nothing but dust on his fingers. His face was calm, even proud. "It's done," he said softly.
Lorenzo turned on him quickly. His voice shook with anger. "You didn't have to kill him! He was already weak, already cornered. You could have stopped him without blood."
Sebastian's lips curled into a thin smile. "And give him a chance to shoot again? No. I don't risk my life. I don't risk hers."
