ASHER
Seeing Aspen standing in the clearing with Adlet at her side stopped my heart in my chest. I swear in that moment, something inside of me snapped, making me go feral.
The words slipped from my lips unbidden as I traded insults with him. Then I saw the opening, and I moved.
Part of my brain worried about Aspen, but I trusted the guys to get her out of here safely. My sole focus needs to be on the man who threatened her once again.
I willneverlet him touch her again. He will stop breathing tonight, one way or another.
I can hear a commotion off to the side, but I don’t dare look. I throw a punch, hitting Adlet, making him wince.
He jerks forward, hitting me on the cheek, but as he does, I let my own fist pound into his side.
We trade jab for jab, both evenly matched as we circle one another. He is getting tired, though. Being president of the Ragged Anarchy means he hasn’t spent a lot of time fighting over the past few years.
No, instead, he reigned over them.
My mind flashes back to the last time I fought in front of him. He made me fight, even if he didn’t order it himself. He knew even then that I would protect Aspen. He didn’t say it, but he wanted me gone and thought Monster was his best bet. He didn’t plan on my being able to hold my own.
Why would he? He thought I was some street rat who stumbled into the bar looking for a job and a place to belong. He had no idea who I really was.
When he forced me to fuck Aspen in front of that crowd, I knew then that I hated him. I had never truly hated someone in my life until that point.
As much as I know, Panther wants this kill, but this one is all mine.
I continue to land blow after blow until I hear a crack. At least one of his ribs is broken. He charges me suddenly, knocking me to the ground. I let him get in a couple of punches before I flip the script, putting him below me.
I am no longer holding back. I’m done playing with my prey. Now all I can see is what he did to Aspen.
All the times I would find her with bruises because his men couldn’t handle her sassy mouth.
Punch.
Every time she would flinch in my presence because of something one of the others did.
Punch.
The fear in her eyes the night he put her body up as the prize that night.
Punch.
I keep punching him, needing to let all the anger out. I never want him to be able to look at Aspen again. I never want him to even think about her. I want him erased from this earth.
“Asher.”
It’s her angelic voice that cuts through the red haze—my little songbird calling to me with her song.
I turn and look over my shoulder at her.
She looks scared to death. I want to go to her, but instinct is telling me to stay here. Finish the threat.
I don’t know what she sees in my eyes, but she nods her head once, giving me permission to end this.
I don’t waste time. I turn back and annihilate Adlet with my fists. By the time I am done, there is nothing left to identify himas the man he once was. He looks as if his head has been through a meat grinder.
Satisfied he will no longer hurt Aspen, I stand and turn to face her. I take several steps toward her, hating that Eagle is holding her back as I do.
Panther steps in my path, making me growl.
