Chapter Fifteen
“What are you doinghere?”Joe demanded.His hands rested on his hips as he scolded her.“Your face is still healing.You should be home.”
“I’m going through work withdrawal.Had to get my fix.”
Joe grunted, and when he did that, it usually meant she won.With a smile, she hurried to the dining room and took stock of tables, guests, and two women she didn’t recognize serving the food.They had to be the ones Saint sent over.
“Hi,” she greeted with a smile.
One of the women took one look at her face and her eyebrows shot up.“Honey, you should be home, taking care of yourself.”
“Truthfully, I’m bored so I thought I could come and help out.I’ll take out the trash?”
“I’m not gonna say no to that.”
Kira laughed.For the first time in two years, her heart felt lighter.The bitter shame that had rested on her shoulders seemed to have melted away.Maybe this was why people went to therapists.Sinn’s words tumbled through her mind on repeat, and filled her with peace.
Methodically, she emptied the trash receptacles and replaced the filled bags with new ones.Hauling them to the back door, she grabbed one and marched to the dumpster.When the last bag had been tossed away, she turned only to see her ex standing in the diner’s back doorway, holding a gun aimed at Joe.
Instantly, her feel-good moment died.Terror filled her.Not for her, this time it was for Joe.She couldn’t allow anything to happen to him.
“Let him go, Hoff.”
“Kira, Kira, Kira.Nice to see you again, my dear ex-girlfriend.”
That was a voice she hoped never to hear again, and a face she never wanted to see, even in her nightmares.As much as she had feared Hoff Bennett, she now saw him as a weak man.He raised his foot and slammed it down on the concrete step, giving her a little jump-scare which caused her to dance a few steps away.Her heart thundered in her chest, and her palms grew clammy.She was still afraid of him, but Sinn’s words echoed in her head.With all her courage, she lifted her chin and stared at him in the eyes.
His widened just a bit, obviously surprised by her bravery.
He tsked.“You’ve been right under my nose for years.Practically my backyard, and here you are, taking out the trash.”
“Would you like to join it?”
His eyes widened.“Is that a spine you grew?”
“Let Joe go.”
“Now, why would I do that when he’s the only leverage I have?”
“How did you find me?”
“Funny story, actually—”
Suddenly, Joe knocked his elbow into Hoff’s chin, and he staggered back.Joe turned, ready to charge, then a gunshot cracked through the air.She screamed.Joe slumped to the floor, and she went to race to his side.Hoff grabbed her arm and stuck the barrel under her chin.
“This way, my love.”
There would no doubt be bruises from his harsh grip.If only she could get to Batman, then she could bash Hoff’s brains.Just maul them up and maybe feed them to the local wildlife.Tears sprung in her eyes as she stared at Joe’s body.
“I’m not your love,” she muttered, twisting her wrist in hopes of breaking his hold.“Let me go, you fucking prick!”
The words had no sooner left her mouth when he turned on her, backhanding her cheek.Pain bloomed and she crashed to her knees, only to be jerked back to her feet, and yanked around until they were only a breath apart.
“I don’t like your tone of voice,” he sneered.
