I just hope Lisa doesn't leave me after she sees this dark side of me.
Daniel was still trying to recoup from the pain that was seething in his back. I was trying to break his back, but I guess I didn't throw him hard enough, as his legs were still squirming on the ground. Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt again, I lifted him up slightly, punching him right in the face a few times. He was hard to recognize now, with his nose and eye socket broken.
It didn't feel like enough. I could just imagine the cruel things he wanted to do to her, and every time I did, my anger would rise to new heights. It was impossible for me to stay calm and, as such, I just continued to beat Daniel to the point I'd broken his ribs and one of his arms.
I stood, seeing him unconscious from the pain now. It was pointless to beat him any further if he wasn't awake to experience it. When I turned around, I noticed Lisa was not where I had left her. In my anger, I had forgotten that Chris was here as well and that his younger brother was probably not the best fighter.
I was not sure how I felt about the kid. On the one hand, he called me and told me everything that was happening with Lisa, asking me to come and save her. On the other hand, he did nothing himself to help her aside from calling me. Yet here he was, battered and bloody, but fighting alongside my woman. Maybe he wasn’t so bad. Lisa was pummeling Chris' face in as he fell to the floor before her. She looked powerful with her fist bloodied and her hair a tattered mess from the fight.
I'd never been so turned on before.
It wasn't the fact that she was being violent. It was the fact that she was strong. She had grown strong these past couple of months with me. I knew that, but knowing it and seeing it were two different things. I couldn't help the smile that stretched across my face as I watched her stand triumphantly over Chris. Making my way towards them, I grabbed Lisa and picked her up. It was time to go.
"Come with me," I motioned for the younger brother to follow. The kid was a solid B in my book. He did what he could, but what he could do wasn't enough. "You can't be here when the cleaners come."
"Cleaners?" The younger brother asked.
"Professionals. They owe me a favor. They'll handle the clean-up of what I did to your dad. I only ever use them when it's more legally demanded. If I ever maimed someone or killed someone, they are the ones I called to come clean up my mess. They're pricey as hell, but they are good," I explained to them both, because even though Lisa was not saying a word, I knew she was curious about it.
"Do you do this often?" He asked, seeming both intrigued and concerned.
"Not to this extent. If I hurt someone this badly, it's because they've hurt someone I love."
Lisa leaned her head into my shoulder more as she heard my words. She seemed so exhausted now, crashing from the adrenaline I was sure had been pumping through her body.
"You did good, my little warrior, but don't think you're off the hook."
She wasn't being safe today, and I hated that the most. Mandy wasn't here like Lisa said she would be. Hell, her father wasn't even here. I was unsure what all happened in that house, but I would get her to tell me everything after she rests.
"You can come to my house until they're done, although I would suggest you get a place to stay outside of this house. Your family doesn't seem like the forgiving type and you helped us out a little too obviously today."
The boy grimaced as he realized I was right. He held the back of his neck with both his hands, pulling on it as he looked up at the sky. Probably contemplating life at the moment.
"In that case, I will grab my things. Do I have time to do that before your 'cleaners' get here?"
"You got ten minutes, kid. Grab the essentials and come with me."
I think I was turning soft with age. It seemed I was collecting broken children. I could tell I was going to have to take care of this kid, too. He seemed lost, and I was sure with a father like Daniel, he would be cut off the moment he regained consciousness.
I put Lisa in her car, wishing I could drive her, but I couldn't leave my bike behind. Not after the beating I gave Daniel. I kissed her forehead, still waiting for her to say anything to me. As I went to close the door, I heard her whisper.
"Thank you."
I pulled the door open again, squatting down beside her. I grabbed her hand tenderly and waited for her to meet my eyes. It took her a moment, but when those eyes met mine, they misted with tears.
“I’m sorry, Davis. I really thought I could do it. It wasn’t supposed to go like that. I never expected dad to leave, and then they-”
I didn’t let her finish, pulling her to my chest and holding her tight. She cried on my shoulder, finally letting the emotions she had been holding back out. When I heard the kid’s footsteps on the pavement making his way towards us, Lisa composed herself. She didn’t want him to see her cry, trying to keep her appearance strong.
“I’ll take him in my car, and we’ll meet you at home,” she told me, pulling out of my embrace.
I cupped her face, not wanting her to feel like she couldn’t let her genuine emotions out near me. I hope she knows that I don’t think she was weak from crying. On the contrary, I think it strengthened her.
“I love you, Lisa. You’re so strong, and when we get home, I want to hear all about what happened there. I’ll wipe those tears away, so don’t be afraid to shed them in front of me.”
She nodded her head lightly, staring deep into my eyes, straight into my soul. I leaned in, giving her a quick kiss before letting her go.
“Get in, kid. She’s taking you to my place, and then we can figure out what to do with you.”
