She can’t protect herself, so I will. I don’t give a fuck what Declan says, what anyone says.
She’s mine to protect.
Even if she’s not really mine.
Kaden walks in with a grin on his face.
“Got him.”
Thank fuck.
I stand, lips curling into something that almost looks like a smile. Two days is too long, but now I get to burn off some steam.
We ride to the warehouse. The air is cold, sharp against my face. My men are already waiting outside, quiet and still. I unmount the bike, pull off my helmet, and hand it to Cillian. Loyal. Brutal. One of the few I’d trust to watch my back without question.
Inside, I hear him. Jack Kingston. American bastard who bought the building five years ago. Hired cheap labour. Cut every corner. Turned it into a fucking tinderbox. A place that nearly burned her alive.
He’s standing tall, untouched, just like I ordered.
Kian said the prick thinks he’s untouchable. Rich. Connected. Drives a Bentley, throws money at lawyers and enjoys hitting women.
Let’s see what he does when the fists hit back.
I walk toward him, take off my suit jacket, and roll up my sleeves. One look at me, and I see it. The way his throat works as he swallows.
“Do you know who I—”
I punch him in the throat before he finishes. He doubles over, coughing, gasping for breath.
“Less talk. More fight. I heard you like hitting women.”
I grab him by the hair and yank him up. He winces, soft.
“Hit me,” I say.
He swings. Lands one on my ribs. I barely flinch.
“That’s it?” I laugh.
I crack my knuckles, then drive my fist into his side. He drops to his knees, already whining.
Eeijit.
“Why are you doing this?” he spits blood onto the concrete. “I don’t even know you.”
I step in, grip his chin, lean in until I can smell the sweat and alcohol on his breath.
“You almost got someone I care about killed.” My fingers dig into his jaw. I feel the bone shift under pressure. “So now, you’re going to pay for it.”
I step back and roll my neck, loose and slow.
He struggles to stand. Blood running down his chin.
“If I finish you,” he rasps, pointing at the six men watching from the shadows, “they’ll kill me.”
I nod once.
“You have my word. If you take me down, they’ll let you walk out untouched.”
