Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan) novel Chapter 69

Chester went pale in an instant, panic gripping him. "Mr. Henderson, what are you doing? I came here out of goodwill to warn you about Grace. How could you do this to me?"

Without warning, a razor-sharp dagger chopped off three of his fingers in a flash. He let out a bloodcurdling scream, his whole body jerking uncontrollably.

Ethan set down his cup, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Go on. Tell me. What kind of person is she?"

That was when it hit Chester—Ethan was avenging Grace. This wasn't anything like what Yancey had said would happen!

His lips were bloodless, and he was just about to beg for mercy when he heard the sound of a gun being loaded. Fear hit him like a truck, and he pissed himself as cold sweat ran down his face.

"Mr. Henderson, I was wrong! It's all a misunderstanding, I swear! I faked those photos. I never laid a finger on Grace! It was Jessica. She made me do it. And Yancey—he's just as bad!"

Gunshots rang out, and four bullets tore into Chester's legs. This time, not even a scream came out. Wracked with agony, his body convulsed and he couldn't get a sound out of his throat.

Ethan didn't rush, but his movements flowed with an easy grace.

"Go on," he said.

But Chester couldn't get a single word out. His legs trembled so badly he could barely stand, and a puddle formed beneath him. Only now did he fully grasp just how terrifying Ethan really was.

Yancey had been right. Ethan rarely lost his temper, but the calmer he seemed, the more terrifying he became.

By the time the 12 bullets were spent, a hint of blood had splattered across Ethan's cheek. His long lashes fluttered slightly as he reached up and wiped the stain away with his fingertips.

Chester was nothing more than a bloodied pile, completely still. Ethan handed his gun to the man beside him and rolled his wheelchair out of the secret room.

Just as Ethan headed out, Julian's voice rang out. "You would've kept firing if it weren't for the gun's 12-bullet capacity, right?"

Julian stood with his arms crossed, his shirt hanging open halfway down his chest. He looked just as bold as always. As Ethan moved forward, Julian fell into step beside him.

Julian continued, "Do you have any idea how long it took me to erase all that surveillance footage after you saved her yesterday? So many people are keeping an eye on your legs. They're convinced you'll be crippled for life. And yet, you don't even bother hiding your condition when you're with her. Aren't you worried she'll spill?"

It would be a massacre if word got out. But Grace herself didn't seem to realize that Ethan had trusted her with his biggest secret.

Ethan pulled out a clean handkerchief and wiped the blood off his fingers, his expression composed. Then, he tossed the stained cloth into a nearby trash can.

"I was wondering if she would," he said.

Julian raised an eyebrow, then let out a short laugh. Neither of them said anything else.