Page 48 of Full Throttle

“Now!” I roared as my mother looked back to Nik. I moved, only one thing on my mind: the image of the gun firing at my girl. My hand clamped around my mother’s dirty arm, and I yanked her back. Nik ran, her footsteps pounding down the hall, and once I heard the screen door slam, the tight grip on my neck eased.

My mother, being too drunk or high to keep up with my movements, dropped the gun onto the floor. Keeping the woman upright, I bared my teeth as I got in her face. “I’m not your little boy anymore, you bitch.”

For half a second, I saw her eyes flash. Then, it was gone, and she was trying to yank away. “Let go of me.”

“In a fucking minute,” I promised, swiping up the gun and tucking it into my jeans. I walked her to the stairs and forced her up them, two steps at a time, as she yelled at me, using the same phrases over and over. They didn’t hurt me anymore. I’d grown immune to her toxicity. I dragged her down the crowded hall and through her bedroom door. There was a naked man on her bed, passed out, his hand on his cock.

Averting my eyes, I shook my head in disgust as I released her. She fell back onto the bed, her eyes wide. “You’re just like your father,” she yelled.

I ignored her, turning and walking out of the room. I walked down the hall to my room, pushing open the door, the scent of cheap, lemon air freshener greeting me. My room was spotless compared to the rest of the house, and I was surprised she hadn’t trashed it already. I slammed the door behind me, locking it before I went to the small closet. I grabbed the other duffel bag I’d stashed here just for this fucking day.

Silently but quickly, I packed the rest of my shit, which wasn’t much. I went to the bed, lifting the mattress to pull out the small envelope from in between the springs. Bag hanging from my shoulder, I ripped the paper open and dumped the contents into my hand.

The set of keys felt cool but heavy in my palm.

Closing my eyes, I whispered, “No turning back.”

That was the promise I made to myself the day Xander left. He didn’t turn back, and neither would I.

Jaw set, I went to the window, opening it for the last time before I tossed my bag out. Once it landed on the ground with a soft thud, I took one more look at the cage I’d been forced to grow up in. I was finally escaping hell.

Without another glance, I swung my leg over the windowsill like I’d done a thousand times before. My head lifted, and I looked across towards Nik’s bedroom window. An uncomfortable knot formed in my gut as memories came rushing forth. I may have had a shitty childhood, but fuck, she was the highlight of it.

Sighing, I jumped down, bracing for the fall. I landed on my side, just like Xander taught me years ago. I picked up my duffel and ran into the backyard, heading straight for the shed. Rain started coming down as I entered. “Dominique?” I called.

A second later, I saw a flash of pink as she rose up from her hiding place behind the Jeep. She wiped her face quickly. “Cain?”

“Hey,” I said softly, coming to her. I stepped on the cupcake on the way, but I didn’t care. I needed to get to her.

She was still trembling. “I-I went to get my parents, but—but they w-weren’t home. I didn’t k-know if y-you wanted me to c-call the c-cops,” she stammered.

Fuck no, I didn’t want that. That last thing I need was the fucking cops.

“Hey, hey, hey,” I cooed, pulled her into my arms.

Her cheek hit my chest, her arms between us as I held onto her tightly. I looked up to the ceiling, listening to the rain. “I’m sorry,” I whispered finally.

“It’s not your f-fault,” she hiccupped.

I pulled her away from me, my hands cupping her face. Her skin was wet from her tears, but still so fucking soft, her eyes were focused on our shoes. “Look at me,” I ordered.

When she did, my heart crashed louder than the thunder outside. “I don’t know what she would’ve done if you hadn’t come inside,” I admitted. My mother was unstable. She could’ve fired the damn gun for all she cared.

“I was scared for you,” she whispered. “I don’t like that woman. I hate the way she treats you,” she whispered, more tears falling.

I couldn’t stand those tears. My thumbs swiped them away quickly. “Shh,” I cooed, “it’s okay now. I’m okay. I’ve always been okay, especially since you and your loud mouth showed up next door.”

Nik shot me a glare before playfully punching me. I chuckled, and when the sound faded, my brows furrowed. “I’m serious, Nik. You’ve saved me in more ways than I can count.”

Her big green eyes widened, and all I wanted to do was get lost in them. “You know you’re my lucky charm,” I said softly. “You’re my four-leaf clover.”

The rain was pelting down now, and I heard a bang from inside the house. Nik sucked in a breath, and I knew it was time. I had to end this. I had to get her out of her and away from this house.

“I have to go,” I told her.

She nodded. “You can’t stay there anymore, you’re right. We’ll figure something out—I’ll talk to my dad. Maybe we could—”

“Nik, I haven’t slept in that house in over six months,” I said, cutting her off with my truth.

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