Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 73: A Game of Lies

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: A Game of Lies

As Lily and Ethan left James behind and left the hotel, the tension in the night air was palpable. Although the encounter had been fulfilling, it was insufficient.

Carlisle remained outside.

Alejandro was a few steps behind Lily as they crossed the parking lot, Lily clenching her fists.

Alejandro checked his phone and stated, "We have a location." "private airport." We must act quickly.

With a nod, Ethan unlocked the vehicle. "All right, let’s go."

With a racing heart, Lily climbed into the passenger seat. This was the end of the web Carlisle had weaved. All of the manipulations and betrayals were culminating.

And it was over tonight.

The drive was quiet and stressful.

Ethan’s knuckles were white against the leather as he held the wheel with an iron grip. Alejandro continued to monitor activity at the airstrip with his phone. Lily sat still, her thoughts whirling.

Stopping Carlisle was no longer the only goal. It was about putting a definitive stop to the horror.

They arrived at the airport after over an hour. It was tucked away beyond the city, protected by tall gates and watched over by men dressed in black suits. With its engines humming quietly, the jet was already on the tarmac.

Lily felt a knot in her gut.

Carlisle was going to get away.

Ethan turned off the headlights by parking behind a stand of trees. Alejandro took out his binoculars and looked around the airport.

"There are five guards," he whispered. Armed. Carlisle is not there yet.

Lily let out a loud sigh. "That plane needs to be stopped."

Ethan had already started to grab for his firearm. "We’ll."

They advanced quickly, staying low as they got closer to the boundary. Ethan dealt with the second guard, while Alejandro subdued the first.

Lily’s heart was racing. She wasn’t a skilled combatant, but she also wasn’t defenseless.

As he turned the corner, a third guard noticed her. He reached for his firearm—

Lily was not thinking. She slammed her elbow into his throat in a lunge. He staggered backward, choking.

In a flash, Ethan was there, rendering him senseless. He glanced at her. "Are you alright?"

Gasping for air, Lily nodded. "Yes."

However, there was no time to think about it.

Two guys were by Carlisle’s sides as he got out of a slick black sedan. His countenance was impenetrable, his fitted suit was immaculate, and he appeared as serene as ever.

Lily felt her blood boil.

Ethan brought his rifle up. "This time, Carlisle, no."

Carlisle did not even respond. Rather, he grinned. "Ethan. Lily. I wanted to know when you would arrive.

With their rifles out, the final two guards stepped in front of him.

Ethan stiffened. "You won’t board that aircraft."

Carlisle laughed. "Don’t you think you’ve won?" He gave a headshake. "I’ve been playing chess, and you’re playing checkers."

Lily gave him a fierce look. "This concludes tonight."

Carlisle’s head cocked. "Are you certain?"

Then he motioned toward the jet before she could respond.

The doors were opened.

And James was stepping out.

Lily gasped for air. "No."

James grinned as he walked gently down the stairs. "Did you truly believe I would turn on Carlisle?"

Ethan muttered curses at himself. Alejandro tensed.

Something cracked inside Lily. For a brief moment, she had thought James was sorry for what he had done. However, it had all been false.

Carlisle let out a sigh. "Lily, you really ought to have known better."

James’ grin widened as he arrived at the tarmac. "I informed you. This game will never be won by you.

Lily balled her hands into fists. "Observe me."

Ethan was the first to fire.

There was anarchy.

The guards for Carlisle sprang for cover. Alejandro quickly dispatched one.

James pulled out his own weapon and dived behind a container.

Lily acted instinctively. Her anger overcame her fear as she ran for him.

She ducked as James shot, getting closer.

The pistol was knocked out of his hands as she slammed against him.

James grunted as she straddled him and pinched his arms as they struck the ground with force.

He had lost his sneer.

"You want it to end like this?" James gasped.

Lily leaned forward and said in a chilly tone. "You made a decision."

Then she pushed his head onto the concrete while grabbing his collar.

James’s body became slack as he moaned.

Lily stood, panting heavily.

Carlisle was moving away, toward the plane, while Ethan continued to struggle.

Lily picked up James’s dropped firearm. Not now.

She lifted it and pointed it at the tires of the aircraft.

Then she fired the shot.

The bullet struck its target with a loud pop.

The plane tilted slightly when the tire exploded.

Carlisle whirled around, his eyes blazing with rage.

Ethan capitalized on the diversion.

He pinned Carlisle after tackling him to the ground.

Alejandro kicked his revolver away to dispatch the final guard.

It was done.

Lily moved forward to take Carlisle’s place. "It appears to be checkmate."

Carlisle smirked again and let out a loud sigh. "You believe so?"

Then he looked over her shoulder.

Lily pivoted.

James was getting up. He looked directly into her eyes.

She gripped the pistol tighter. "Remain motionless."

James, however, only chuckled. "Lily, you lack the courage."

Lily’s heart was racing. Did she?

Ethan moved to stand next to her. "He isn’t worthy."

Lily took a gulp. No. He wasn’t.

She lowered the rifle and let out a breath.

Carlisle gave a headshake. "Weak."

Lily grinned. "No. More powerful than you will ever be.

In the distance, sirens sounded.

Alejandro smiled. "It appears that the police have finally made their appearance."

The grin on Carlisle’s face wavered. James let out a grunt.

Ethan looked across at Lily. "It’s finished."

His storm-blue eyes flickered as Lily looked into them. Solace? Pride?

The sensation that was surging within her was hardly recognizable. It was liberation, not simply triumph.

She believed it for the first time in a long time.

And she had lost her fear.