“Funny, I was going to say the same thing.”
His eyes narrow with fury and calculation, the threat of retaliation clear. He nods as if to seal the message, but he’s wise to keep his eyes on only me as he hobbles toward the carport.
I wait until he’s gone and the sound of his engine disappears down the drive. Only then do I let the red and black haze recede from my vision, and the world comes back into focus. Slowly, I let my fists unclench and the blood flow back into them, still hot with rage.
Finally turning to Kira, I blow out a breath.
“Tell me you’re alright, or I’m going to get in my car and kill him now.”
Her eyes flick to the long driveway, then back to me. Her shoulders are tight as she hesitates. “Would it be bad if I lied and said I’m not so that you would?”
I blink, caught between disbelief and the savage thrill that sparks in my chest. “You don’t need to lie. If you want him gone now, I’ll do it.”
It wouldn’t be clean, but I’ll suffer the consequences if it proves to her that I’d do anything for her. James can hang me by my own chains, and I wouldn’t care. Not if it meant sheunderstood the lengths I would go to keep her safe and that the things she abhors about me are the exact things that can get it done. I’ve killed for clients, strangers, people I didn’t give a fuck about, and I loathed every second of it. But for her? For Kira Noland? I’d carve the skin off of anyone she points a finger at and relish in it. All she has to do is say the word.
Her brow furrows, then her eyes widen as if she can see the truth carved into my face. “You’re serious,” she guffaws.
I step closer, dipping my head to meet her eyes. “Give the order.”
She hesitates, her gaze darting to my knuckles where Arnold’s blood is already caking. Finally, she loses the incredulity. “No,” she says. “Don’t. It’s… not worth it.”
I close the space between us, catch her arm, and lift it. His handprint mars her skin in ugly shadows. “Not worth it?” I brush my fingers over the bruises, wishing I could erase them. “He touched you. He violated you. What do you mean, ‘not worth it’?”
“I’mfine.” She takes her arm back and covers the marks with her free hand, as if keeping them out of my sight will stop me from wanting to rip his throat out. But my breath is already accelerating again, and I eye the carport, picturing my keys on the nightstand in the house.
“Really, I’m okay.” Her voice reins me in, drawing me back. She folds her arms, chin lifting. “And actually, I had it handled.”
That flash of self-satisfaction does something to me. The way her chin tips up and the little arch in her brow, the spark of pride in her eyes. It cuts through the storm in my chest. My lip curves despite myself, pride forcing its way past the fury. She handled herself, and fuck if that doesn’t make me want her.
“I saw,” I admit, and then add, “but that wasn’t nearly enough punishment.”
She rolls her eyes as if I’m not one thought away from going after him.
“Should I show you what it feels like?” she asks.
“I’m pretty sure you already used that move on me. I don’t need a reminder.”
“Yeah, well, he went down like you’re supposed to when you take a knee to the balls.”
I huff a laugh. “I don’t fall so easily.”
Her smile grows wry, eyes dancing. “Says the guy who slept in a chair for a week.”
I cock my head. Her words are like a punch to the chest. My eyes lock onto her mouth, the way she presses her lips together to hide her grin, making heat crawl under my skin.
“Are you insinuating that I’ve fallen for you, Kira Noland?” I take a sudden, possessive step closer, and her lips part as she sucks in a breath, big eyes gazing up at me. “Because I don’t think that would be a good look.”
“W—why not?” she asks, throat bobbing as she swallows. I let my knuckles brush the hair there, feeling her pulse flutter.
“Falling for someone who despises me?” I twirl a strand around my finger. “That would be pathetic, wouldn’t it?”
I could give two fucks how pathetic I seem. I’m enraptured. Riveted. Taken.Whipped. And I do. not. care.
“I don’t—” she starts, breath catching, eyes searching mine, when a sharp crunch of tires on gravel breaks the moment.
I snap my head up, and my muscles tense at what I see.
Fuck.
