Page 61 of Covert Desires

I slam my forehead into his nose, feeling cartilage give way.

With his own blade, I slice his throat open, watching as it bleeds onto the washed wooden floor.

Through the chaos, I catch glimpses of Kiah. She faces two attackers simultaneously, her movements fluid and unstoppable. One asshole swings a baton, but she ducks under it effortlessly. As he overextends, she drives her palm up into his chin. His head snaps back, and he staggers.

Without missing a beat, Kiah pivots, using his body as a shield against the second man's wild punch. She grabs the asshole’s arm, twisting it behind his back in a painful lock. A quick strike to the back of his knee sends him to the ground where she steps on his throat until his eyes roll over in the back of his head.

Watching her fight is the most mesmerizing thing, but now is not the time to get distracted.

Too late.

Before I can pull my gaze away, a meaty hand closes around my throat from behind.

I struggle, vision blurring as oxygen is cut off.

Then, a sickening crack and the pressure releases.

I gulp air desperately, turning to see Kiah standing over my attacker, her eyes blazing, newly acquired gun raised.

"Thanks," I gasp.

"Eyes on the fight, Nico," she says curtly, already turning to face the next threat.

Forcing myself to focus, we work in tandem now, covering each other's blind spots.

I spin, barely avoiding a bullet that whistles past my ear.

Suddenly, a scream pierces the air.

My blood runs cold as I see Ricardo’s chokehold on Kiah, a knife pressed to her ribs. A trickle of blood stains her shirt where it has already nicked her.

"Stop, or I’ll end this bitch right now,” the fucker snarls at me.

Something primal snaps inside me.

The world narrows to a pinpoint, everything tinged red.

Not Kiah.

With a roar that doesn't sound human, I launch myself at my brother.

My hands find skin, breaking, ripping.

I'm barely aware of my actions, only the feral need to destroy the asshole who dared harm the innkeeper, even if he’s my brother—especiallybecause he is.

"Don't. You. Ever. Touch. Her." Each word is punctuated by another vicious blow. I'm dimly aware of my brother’s screams, of the warm blood on my hands. But none of that matters.

The mere thought of anything happening to Kiah, of losing her, tears through me, unleashing chaos in its wake.

“Nico! Stop!" Kiah's voice cuts through the haze. Her hand on my arm is gentle but firm. “You’ll kill him.”

“Let me!”

“Nico! No!” her voice is authoritative, commanding. It snaps me out of it.

“Nico…” she says, softer this time, as she tugs at my arm. “Remember the plan.”

I blink, the red fog slowly clearing as I find my way back to her voice.

---