“You’re sure you’re okay, baby?” Tyler murmurs.
The pool of blood is still growing around us. When I glance toward the dead body, the reality of everything that just happened truly settles in.
I killed a man. I plunged my dagger into his heart and stabbed him repeatedly, then had sex in his blood like a feral animal.
Ishouldbe disturbed.
And yet I don’t regret a single thing. Not one part of me is traumatized. All I feel is proud and viciously territorial.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
TYLER
Harper’s head rests against my shoulder as I carry her into our apartment. She’s quiet with a mixture of bliss, exhaustion, and perhaps trauma—though she tells us she’s fine.
The daylight is bright in here, early afternoon, a stark contrast to the darkness of The Scarlet Mirage. Felix walks ahead of us, holding open each door as I carry Harper through to our en suite.
“I’ve got you, baby.” I set Harper on the edge of our bathtub, steadying her.
Felix crouches in front of Harper, studying her with concern. “How are you feeling?”
She smiles at us, in a daze from the sex. “I love you both so much.”
“You killed a man,” I tell her, wondering if she’s in shock and blocking out the horrific memory.
I can’t get the vision of her out of my head, covered in blood and stabbing a man. She’s alwaysso dainty, prancing around in ballet slippers and tutus. Yet with Ferguson, she was vicious. So protective of me and Felix. It was oddly hot.
And then the sex…Fuck. I didn’t give a shit about the blood. I just needed Harper after coming so close to losing her. But now that the heat of the moment is over, she has me concerned for her mental wellbeing.
“I’m fine,” she reassures us, her voice dreamy. “What do we do about the body?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Felix says.
“What if someone discovers?—”
“I’ve been in this business a long time. I know how to handle these situations. I’ll make a few phone calls. The body will be taken care of within the hour.” Felix turns the shower on then speaks to me. “Take Harper into the shower with you. Get clean, then get her into bed. She needs to rest. She may be in shock.”
Harper grabs his hand. “I’m not in shock. Don’t leave. I need you with me.”
He kisses her lips. “I’ll only be in the next room on my phone. Once it’s done, Harper, we’re free, because ofyou. You saved us.”
“I liked it. Killing him.”
Felix laughs softly. “I know. I’ll be right back.”
She nods and lets him go. I guide Harper into the shower, the two of us stripping out of what remains of my clothes. Blood swirls at our feet, turning the water red as it circles the drain.
Harper is barely able to stand. She leans against my chest as I gently wash away the evidence of what she’sdone. Whatwe’vedone. Her eyes are closed and her face is tilted up to the spray. I run the soapy washcloth over her shoulders and arms, being delicate while assuring all the blood is gone.
Once we’re clean, I exhale a shaky breath and rest against the shower wall as warm water washes over me. I’ve been so caught up on taking care of Harper that only now during this moment of silence do I feel the weight of everything that happened downstairs.
I came so close to losing Harper just now, this girl who has owned my soul my entire life. Ferguson had his hands on her. He would have raped then shot her, all with me sitting tied up to watch.Fuck. My eyes scrunch shut and I try to shake away the thoughts.
“You’re trembling,” Harper whispers. I open my eyes, finding a troubled look on her face.
“What happened downstairs… I felt so helpless. I was forced to watch. Ferguson was seconds away from…” I can’t make myself say the word. “It was horrific. You’re the most precious thing in the world to me and I hate that I couldn’t protect you. You never should have had to kill him yourself?—”
Harper places her fingers on my lips, hushing me. “I like thatIgot to kill him. He’s taken away so much from me. His brother started the downward spiral of my adult life. For years, I’ve felt powerless. Killing Ferguson was me taking back my power.”
