This time, when his eyes lock on me, I see it: the Devil himself. Stumbling backward, I back up into the living room, now close to the door, before his big gorilla hand lands a hold on me. I turn swiftly, trying to snake out of his grip. I throw my head back into his head, head-butting him in the lip, turning under him, now seeing the blood drip from his lip. His eyes grow wide as I watch the curiosity spiral through him, my ability to fight back.
“I am going to kill you. Just like I told your mother to kill herself, only you are too stubborn to listen to demands, so that I will help with the follow-through,” he seethes.
I smile up at him once again, knowing he has one this time, and whisper, “Good luck explaining that. Your good image would be shot to shit, Sir.” As the words leave my mouth, there's a hit, and the lights go out.
Chapter 41
Big Day Better Tomorrow
Spencer
After getting back from lunch, Levi and I look around for Scarlett. We check all the places she would typically hang out, and nothing. On our way back across campus, our phones beeped at the same time.
Unknown- *1 Video attachment*
Levi and I look at each other before we open the video. Standing in the hallway, we both hit play, and we watch as Scarlett beats Ashley’s ass. The cameraman turns the video onJessica, cowering in the corner, as her best friend gets punched to the ground. We can’t hear what Scarlett says, but it’s evident she’s telling her something that pisses her off. The recording ends as Principal Harden orders everyone back to class whilst peeling a bloody Ashley from the floor. I am so fucking proud of her, also slightly pissed she got herself in trouble, but damn, that was a helluva punch.
Levi and I look at one another as the video ends, “Scarlett.” Her name falls from his mouth, and realization takes over. “Fuck!” He yells and runs for the parking lot doors. I chase after him. I’ll be damned if he goes into that home alone.
I jump into his passenger seat, “Let’s fucking go. Drive the damn car, Levi.” I hit the dash. If my girl’s in danger, I will fucking drive these wheels off. If he’s hurt her, I’ll fucking kill him. Levi floors it out of the parking lot, drifting into the roadway.
We make it to the house in record time, Levi rips into the empty driveway, revealing that Grant's car is gone. Throwing the car in park and ripping out the key, Levi and I ran inside the house.
The furniture is moved, and the hallway rug is shoved over and crinkled. Levi runs through the main floor, looking in each room, before we run upstairs, taking two steps at a time, until we reach Scarlett’s room. We rip open the door, and there she is, lying flat on her back, on top of her covers, with a bruised face and a bloody lip. Running over to her, my heart pounds in my chest, begging her to sit up. Levi sits on the bed next to her as he slowly rubs her arm. “Letty. Wake up.” He spoke in her ear softly. “Spencer, can you run to my room and grab a bottle of water, please. There is a pack by the bed.” I run, without a second thought. When I come back in, Scarlett is starting to stir.I kneel beside her bed, reaching out for her hand. My heart is completely shattered, seeing her like this, beaten and helpless.
“Scar, baby, wake up,” I beg her, pleading with her to look into my eyes, like the warrior I know she is. She gives me a slight smirk, and my heart damn near jumps for her, wanting to guard her, protect her, love her, endlessly. Fuck waiting, life is too short. “There she is.” I kiss her lips so softly, just enough that she will feel it.
Levi leans in, placing his hand on the top of her head, “Open your eyes, Letty. Come on, you know the drill.” With that, he looks at me, and his eyes fall into despair.Knows the drill, Jesus.She forces her eyes open; one of them is reddened, and the other seems untouched. “Hey there, Rocky.” Levi chuckles, making Scarlett smile, then wince.
She coughs and swallows hard, “You should see the other guy.” She smirks slightly. I rub her hand lightly as Levi opens the water. He holds out his fingers, “How many fingers?” He’s holding up two fingers, “Two,” she smiles, “You always hold up two, but I see four.” Then she laughs at her dark humor, which I find not the least bit funny.‘Always,’ he always holds up two fingers, excuse me. No, she will never see it blurred again, because she will never be in this situation again. Period.
She turns her head slightly to me, “I may have beat up a girl for saying she wanted you, and that she could throb on your cock better than me.” Her eyes look back at Levi, who is now as white as a ghost. “I may have gotten a tiny bit jealous and possessive, oops.” I can’t help but laugh and feel like a million dollars for a solid moment. She turns to Levi, “I also may have beaten her up because Jessica said you were a good fuck because you were broken… and that I was a charity case, and that was why Spence was interested.” She closes her eyes, “I’ll get her next time. No one disrespects you, not anymore.” I squeeze her hand slightly.
“Levi’s right, slow down, Rocky. Save the punches for the one who deserves it.” The words leave me before I can stop them. “By all means, baby, stay possessive and jealous, claim me, Scar.” She smiles wider, pushing through her bruised cheek.
“I did it, guys. I got him. He may have ended the fight, but I sure as shit fought; he didn’t get me till the very end. I fought like hell; you should have seen his face. Fuck, it felt so good.” She looks at Levi. “I screamed at him, and asked him how it felt to be beaten in his home. Then he told me he would kill me, and I shoved him with the ‘that won't look so good on your image.’ Then the asshole hit me, knocked me out.” Levi kisses the top of her head.
“I am so fucking proud of you, Letty, and I am so fucking sorry I was at lunch and didn’t see you beat her ass, because I would have paid money to see it, and I would have come home with you and beat Grant’s ass.”
I kiss her hand. “Ditto, I would have loved to watch my warrior fight, fucking knew you had it in you, baby.”
She takes a sip of water and smiles, seeing herself proud of all she has accomplished.
Levi stands up and starts pacing the room. “This is it, Letty, we need a plan. This was the last time. We have people in our corner, people who love us. We have Spencer and his family, we have Maddie, we have people. It’s time to take him down. We can do one of two things: get him caught in the act, or I go to prison for murder.” Scarlett sits herself up carefully, and I reach for her, assisting her.
She places her hand on mine and smiles. “It’s just my face, surprisingly, the rest of me is okay, oh, and my hand. Check out my knuckles.” She smiles, so very proud of herself, with her broken red knuckles.
“Nice, baby,” I smirk, as Levi sits back down on the bed. “Your brother is right; this can’t happen anymore. I won’t let it. This has got to stop, and if Levi goes to prison, I’m going too, because he is far too pretty to go in alone.” Levi flips me off, making all of us laugh.
Scarlett shakes her head. “Alright, boys, let's think of a plan.”
We toss around different scenarios and ideas about how this could all unfold. After about an hour, we formulated a plan. Scarlett will start the fight and text me beforehand. Levi will jump as Grant knows he will, once he has gotten to them, my dad and I will rush over, catching him in the act, where we will call the cops to take his ass away. Not a solid plan, but it's the best we have at this point. “I don’t want you guys staying here. Stay at my house, just for the night. Both of you, please.”
Levi smiles and agrees, but Scarlett falters, as a whisper comes out, “I’m nervous for your parents to see me. I haven’t told your mom yet. What if she looks at me differently?” Levi drops his head.
“Scarlett, look at me, baby.” She turns her head, my sternness catching both of their attention. “You did not do this. This is not your fault. You have nothing to hide. Grant did this; he is at fault; he is the monster. She will see you both as strong, and she will be on your side. Stop thinking about what everyone is going to think, baby. You are a fucking warrior.” Levi lifts his hand, and I high-five him.
“Pack your bag, Rocky, we’re having a slumber party.” I can’t help but smile. I am going to keep them safe.
