The Story of Blood and Roses

"That is why you let him see you in such a vulnerable position, am I right?" I sneered at her. "You can't kill him because it would be impossible for you to kill the man you love. You could never even come to listen to those tapes I saved for you. Maybe it scares you to think that despite loving you in his own way, he did not love you enough to protect you; that he stood by and saw you suffer."

"That you are not important enough for him."

"Does it make you happy to try to analyze me? I think your judgement is clouded, Daisy. I think it is a manifestation of your romantic side. I think you crave the taboo relationship you would have with a certain man you met long ago and knew you couldn't have."

"Of course, it is the romantic in me talking, Mia. I am not going to deny it, and I want you to face reality as well. We live in a world where deception is as easy as breathing and you can't hold a grudge against a man for getting what he wanted at any cost."

"And what did he want?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself and stop playing the little victim? You are not the victim! You went into the mission, knowing that you would likely die, gruesomely. You knew, but you are still holding it over his head for doing what he does best: strengthening his empire."

"Fuck you."

"At least have the decency to pretend that you want to know the truth."

"I should go to a doctor," I whispered, the thought coming to me suddenly.

"You should," she looked at me from the corner of her eyes. "If he burst through that door right now, what would you do?" she asked. I couldn't quite place the expression on her face.

"Wha-"

The loud boom made me jump up. Within seconds my gun was in the hand and pointed towards the closed door.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I just saw the video. I was busy talking to you." I hissed in frustration. I sucked in a breath, preparing myself to pull the trigger as soon as his face became visible. The door wrenched open, I sucked in a breath as I saw him. His face was furious.

"WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU PLACE SENSORS OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT?" the apartment seemed to shake under his fury. My fingers on the trigger almost faltered. All plans of shooting him went out of my mind. "And why was I electrocuted? Seven times if I may ask."

My finger jerked. In a moment of horror, panic seized me. I saw his wide eyes mirroring mine. His hands were on his knees, his mouth hanging open.

I gulped as I raised the gun again to shoot him.

"Do you think this is funny, Mia?" he growled. He stood straighter, sparing no glance at the bullet that whizzed over his head and embedded itself into the wall on the other end.

"Leave me alone," I spat at him.

"Two years. For two years I have been searching for you. Did you think that you could get away with trying to destroy me?" He sauntered over to me. Within seconds, his hands grabbed on to mine. I fought. I kicked him in the balls. I pounded his head with my elbow. I tried to beat him to pulp. I really did.

He blocked every move, anticipating them before they formed in my head.

I imagined trying to bend and take the gun in my hand again. I had a fair chance in killed him at a close range. He would not be able to duck away in time.

As I bent over, I saw his legs move. I stumbled over, my hands breaking my fall. I bit back a scream. He straddled me and grabbed my throat.

"L-et-" I gagged.

Just a little bit more... I told myself.

Just a few inches more... and... god... please...

I had not felt such a burn in my chest for a long time. It was nothing like a heart attack, it felt like my insides were set on fire. The inferno sucked in the oxygen, leaving nothing behind in my poor body. I don't know how long we stayed like that, his teeth curling over his lips, my vision blackening.

The butt of the gun brushed against my fingers. I spread my fingers to grab it.

A lit-

With a swipe of his free hand, he pushed it away.

All was lost.

I was dying at his hand.

He let me go, a little too late maybe. I could see nothing.

I heard his ragged breath.

I felt the slowing of my heartbeat.

I sensed the lightness of my head.

I suspected that he did, too.

"Sleep," he murmured.

I listened to him.