That voice… It shocks me, and I’m caught, naked and without any weapons, just my hands, unless I can reach a knife.
The guy brandishes a gun and aims it at my pounding head. “Don’t like being on the other side of a barrel, do you, you dirty Mick?” He takes off his mask.
I’m staring at the man I severely beat a month ago. Fallon’s harasser from the garden. Bill.
Christ, he lost an eye.
And eye for an eye.
No, thanks. I kind of like having two.
“Bye, bye,Bill.” Fallon’s voice cuts in from behind me.
I twist to push her out of the way, and it happens in slow motion. A gunshot rings out, and everything goes hazy. ButBill’shead snaps back, and warm blood sprays my face.
He crumples, half his head ready to slam into my shoulder, but I block him with shaking hands.
Through the haze and ringing ears, I shuck him off and get to my feet in a practiced flick of my legs to stand in one swift move.
But I blink, and that’s when I see Fallon. Holding my gun.
She… She found my piece on the floor, ran out here, as naked as me, and killed this guy.
For me.
She saved my life.
She took matters into her own damn hands.
“Christ, love, give me that,” I whisper, snatching the Sig from her trembling hands.
She stares at the bloodied body, at the smashed pots, the ruin of her tiny jungle. Fuck, she killed him, but he once again destroyed something she loves.
I am cutting him to pieces this time. Starting with the other damn eye!
Right now, though, I have to deal with Fallon. I grab her and drag her against my chest so she can’t process theplant carnage.
“Don’t look,” I whisper, fiercely protecting her mental health.
I walk her away from the mess. I’m more upset about the plants than Bill. I bring Fallon into my bedroom and lay the gun on the night table. She stands there breathing heavily, eyes closed.
I notice the sticky blood on my skin, and for a moment, I’m not sure what to deal with first. But then it comes to me. Fallon always comes first. “Open your eyes, love.”
When she does, she looks down at her empty hands covered with Bill’s blood on her skin. Then she looks at the gun next to us, warm from the discharge.
“I killed him,” she whispers.
“You did,” I say quietly. “I saw you kill a man, just like you saw me kill one. We’re even now.”
Her eyes widen, and she staggers back a step like the words hit her square in the chest. Understanding flashes across her face like lightning.
“We are,” she says hoarsely. “Now you don’t have to spend any more time with me.”
“There’s one problem with that. I love spending time with you,” I admit, choking up. “And you are officially my girlfriend. And even if you try to break up with me, I’m not going anywhere.”
She studies me and dives back into my arms. “Good.”
“Aye, very good, love.” I give her one more squeeze and then let her go. “Now, you wash your hands while I go clean up that mess.”
