Page 18 of False Idols

“I’m Dean,” he says and extends his hand to me. “You a friend of Nevaeh’s?” he asks.

“Sure am,” I tell him and shake his hand. “I’m Beau.”

“Beau Du Pont?” Dean asks and looks between Nevaeh and I. “Everything okay?” His meaning is clear. He wants to check with her if she wants to go with me. Typical good guy shit. I would have done the same thing before the pretty little bitch in front of us put me away.

“Everything’s fine,” I answer for her. “Isn’t that right, Nevaeh?”

She answers me immediately. “Yeah, it’s fine. I-I, well, it was nice to meet you, Dean.”

He nods and steps aside, even though I can tell he doesn't want to. His eyes are on me and his eyes narrow. He doesn’t know what I’m up to, but he’s wondering now. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Remember, I’m here if you need to talk.”

Nevaeh’s face softens, her eyes lose the scared edge to them that I prefer and she gives him a smile. She’s going to thank him. Offer to take him up on his offer to talk, but I’m not about to let her have a hero.

She doesn’t deserve a hero. Good people get happy ever after. They get a hero that steps between them and the devil. But not Nevaeh. She’s a fucking soulless bitch and she’s mine. All fucking mine. The only thing Nevaeh’s going to get is me. And I’m her villain.

I step in front of Nevaeh and level a smile at Dean. “Nevaeh doesn’t need any more friends, Dean. But thanks.”

His jaw stiffens and I have to give it to him, he doesn’t give when I think he will. But that just shows me how stupid he is. That’s the only excuse he has to be going after Nevaeh.

“I wasn’t talking to you, friend.”

I give him a mean smile. “It’s Beau and I’m not your friend.” I turn to Nevaeh and lean down to her ear, so she knows no one else is going to hear what I tell her. “Let’s go, or you’re not going to like what I do to him.”

There’s nowhere else to go but with me if she wants things to stay peaceful. I don’t care about causing a scene. I can do a lot right now with the way the public sees me. The wronged hometown hero come home, so ready to forgive the girl that ruined his life. I head down the stairs and glance over my shoulder as I do. Dean looks pissed. He moves, takes a step towards us when Nevaeh falls in step with me and I smile. The easiest way to get respect is to make an example of someone and I’m about to turn Dean into a fucking lesson. The professor and their hanger-ons aren’t paying attention to us. Not really. We’re too far away for them to hear what we’re saying and they’re doing the polite Midwestern thing by not gawking.

Everyone knows Nevaeh and I have unfinished business and it looks like no one is too particular about how we settle it.

“Nevaeh,” Dean starts again and I sigh. Because there’s one person who does have a problem with it. Dean. Stupid goddamn dick Dean.

“Please don’t hurt him.” Nevaeh’s hand is on my arm and I freeze. I look down at where she’s touching me. Her hand looks small on my arm and her big brown eyes are wide with fear. God, the way she’s looking at me like I’m the only reason her heart beats. That’s my girl.

“Why shouldn’t I?” I ask her.

Dean comes down another step. “Nevaeh, you don’t have to go with him,” he says, but we aren’t looking at him. There’s about five steps between us and him and I jerk my chin in his direction when he keeps coming.

“Think fast, or I’m going to break his goddamn neck.” She licks her lips and when her eyes cut to Dean, I have to fight the urge to grab the dumb fuck and throw him head first down the stairs. “Speak, Nevaeh, or I'll do it.”

Her eyes come back to me. “I-I’ll do whatever you say. I promise. Please.” She’s desperate. Begging me not to touch the idiot who thinks he’s her knight in shining armor.

I smile at her. “I love it when you beg, angel.” She sucks in a gasp. The intake of air has me wanting to make her do it again, but with my hand around her throat. I shake her hand off as I point a finger at Dean.

“Ah, ah, ah, Deanie baby. You stay right where you are, or you’re going to make life very hard for sweet Nevaeh. You don’t want to do that, do you?”

He shakes his head but he stops like I told him. Good fucking boy.

“What the hell is your problem? I know there’s something wrong with you.”

“You don’t go where I’ve been and not come out fucked. Isn’t that right, angel?” I ask Nevaeh and she ducks her head. Her eyes are back on the floor which is fine, because if she isn’t looking at me she better not fucking be looking at Dean. When she doesn’t answer, I tap a finger against her chin.

“I said, isn't that right, angel? You know exactly what happens to good guys where you sent me, don’t you?” Nevaeh turns her head and the bruise on her cheek is big. Whoever hit her, got her good. “Look at me, Nevaeh.”

Her beautiful eyes are on me again and she nods. There’s tears in her eyes. Good. I want to see her cry. I’ve dreamed of it for years. I deserve to see it up close like this.

“I’m sorry, Beau.”

“Sorry isn’t going to fucking fix what you did to me. Now, tell your little friend goodbye, Nevaeh.”

She obeys me instantly. “Goodbye, Dean.”

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