“You should have stayed hidden,” he sneers in her face.
“You definitely should have.” I see red. Everything around me fades.
The moment Sean Gilbert’s head snaps in my direction, his face meets my hand.
“Darin,” Christina cries.
Jay grabs her and pulls her away. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Stop him,” she pleads.
“No can do, Aunt Chrissy.” Jay hands her off to Jack.
I don’t stop pounding this man into the ground. I don’t give him time to defend himself. I don’t let him speak. I don’t even want to let him breathe.
Jack wraps Christina in his arms, holding her against his chest, and turns her away. Jay joins me in serving this piece of trash the punishment he deserves.
“Jack, stop them.”
“I can’t. I won’t.” Jack looks over his shoulder. “Hurry up before the cops get here!”
Jay and I don’t stop until sirens are heard. I drag Sean to his feet. I have to hold him up. Pretty sure his legs are broken. Fear settles in his eyes. He should choke on it.
“Crawl off somewhere and die.” His nose cracks when my fist connects with his face again.
Jay grabs my arm. “Gotta go, man.”
I drop the unconscious dirtbag and leave him where he lands. If the cops don’t find him in time, he can die right here.
Jack passes Christina to me as we hurry back toward the Roadhouse.
“No.” Jay pushes us toward another alley. “This way.”
We follow him without question. Surprisingly, we end up at Jay’s Garage. Our trucks are here. No clue how. Hendrix steps aside. Lily runs to Jack. Lauren runs to Jay and then to her sister.
“Sissi, are you hurt?”
Chistina shakes her head. “Not physically.”
I cup her cheek in my hand. “Wanna go home?”
“Do I have one?” Tears flow from her eyes.
“Yes, ma’am, you sure do. Your home will always be with me.”
“You’re angry. I didn’t listen. I caused this.”
“No, ma’am, you didn’t cause any of it. A man not worthy of the title or your attention caused all of it.”
“You still want me?”
I rest my forehead against hers. “You are mine. I willalwayswant you.”
“Well, he did claim you,” Jay says.
“What?” She leans back slightly. “You claimed me?”
“I darn sure did.” And I claim her lips with mine.
