I could see the fear in Bella's eyes, and I hoped he didn't see the same fear in me, but he continued speaking. "She dies... then David, Elliot and your beloved Tony. Then you, the last alone. Understanding exactly what it feels like to lose everything."
"You're monologuing," I say. "That's villain mistake number one."
He actually smiled. "Am I? Or am I waiting for Tony and his tactical team to position themselves. Waiting for you to think there's hope, before I destroy it."
"You know what Diane's mistake was?" I edged closer still. "She talked too much, which gave me time to think and to find weakness."
"I don't have a weakness."
"Everyone has a weakness. Yours? You need validation and recognition. You want me to acknowledge that you're better than Diane. Better than Charles's other students."
"I am better-"
