After All This (4)

"I know you still want to get away," the Reaper was saying quietly. "And you'll think of all kinds of clever ways to do it. Send the car into a skid, drive off the road into a ditch—things like that. You're most resourceful, as I've already learned, much to my chagrin." His voice dropped lower, till it was nearly inaudible.

"But there's one small detail you ought to be apprised of, Go Ara dearest. Even though I've come to care for you very deeply, even though I cut you a good deal of slack just now, even with all that, my patience is not unlimited. To put it quite plainly, if you do attempt to pull off any of those clever schemes you're known for.... I'll have no choice but to kill you."

The gun jerked forward, the muzzle biting the skin beneath her jaw like a hungry animal.

"I'll blow your fucking head off!" he snarled.