Page 32 of Brutal Bond

“Harp—”

“It’s fine.” I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand while I rinse out the sink. Turning off the water, I rush straight to my bathroom, where I plan to scrub myself clean of him.

Instead, I send a quick text to Eddie.

It's over.

He didn’t fuck me.

EDDIE

Are you okay?

No.

But it had to be done.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

EDMUND

It didn’t have to be done.

It never should’ve fucking come to this.

The kid was right, we should’ve just fucking killed him.

I never left Harper. I’ve been waiting in my car across the street, waiting for her call. Ready to drag Detective Asshole from her apartment. Straight to the nearest dumpster after bludgeoning his face beyond recognition.

Watching him walk from her building, with the smug look of satisfaction plastered across his face, only fuels my need to remove him permanently from her presence.

Making him no longer a nuisance in all our lives.

Without pulling from my spot, I watch him diligently as he makes his way down the street and toward the parking garage. I open my car door and climb from the car before crossing the street and following him.

The garage has shit security surveillance.

I can end him—here and now.

My phone buzzes in the front pocket of my pants, and I pull it out as I continue to trail behind the detective.

HARPER

Can you come back?

Please…

I need you.

Fuck.

Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I turn on my heel and quickly walk down the block to her apartment. At the door, I use the key I helped myself to and head inside. Clothes are strewn across the couch, and neither of the girls is to be seen.

Entering Harper’s room, I know she’s in the bathroom as her shower is running. I flip the lock on the door and discard my clothes as I walk across the room, leaving a haphazard trail behind me.

When I pull back the curtain, Harper is vigorously scrubbing her skin with tears streaming down her face. She startles briefly at the sight of me before quickly throwing herself into my body and sobbing against my chest.

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