Page 123 of Retaliation

Gunnar gave her a nod as well. “We owe you one.”

Cat shrugged, turning back to her glasses. “Just don’t make me regret this.”

As Phillip and Gunnar left the bar, he held on to the little bit of hope of seeing Poison tomorrow. He had one shot to make things right, one chance to show her that he understood, that he was willing to change.

“I hope this works,” he muttered, more to himself than to Gunnar.

“It will,” Gunnar replied, his voice steady. “Just be honest with her. Show her that you care.”

Phillip nodded, the words echoing in his mind. Honesty. Care. They felt like foreign concepts in his world, a world ruled by strength and survival. But for Poison, he would learn. He had to.

The next day felt like an eternity. Phillip spent it going over everything he wanted to say, every apology, every promise. By the time the afternoon sun began to dip toward the horizon, anticipation and dread fought in his chest.

At three-thirty, he arrived at the small cul-de-sac by the pier. The place felt eerie, the browning trees and shrubs looked like it belonged in a Halloween movie. He paced, his mind racing. What if she didn’t come? What if she refused to listen?

By four, he heard the sound of a motorcycle approaching. His heart pounded in his chest as Poison pulled up, her expression guarded, her eyes wary when she removed her helmet and got off her bike.

“Scorpion,” she said, her voice flat. “What is this about?”

He took a deep breath, stepping forward. “I need to apologize, Poison. I pushed you too hard, and I was wrong. I was so afraid of losing you that I didn’t see I was

losing you to my own fear.”

She crossed her arms, her eyes cold. “And now you think one apology will fix everything?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “But it’s a start. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.”

She stared at him, her gaze intense. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because I love you,” he said, the words feeling raw and real. “I have loved you from the moment you shoved that shot glass into my hand and your touch set my skin on fire. I have loved you every day since then as if you’ve been woven into my DNA, my very existence.”

Silence stretched between them, the weight of his confession hanging in the air. Slowly, her expression softened, the walls she had built around herself beginning to crack.

“You hurt me,” she said, her voice trembling. “I trusted you.”

“I know,” he whispered, stepping closer. “And I’m so sorry… I pushed you too hard,” he stammered. “I just didn’t want you to get hurt. I didn’t want to lose you,” he dropped his gaze, he’s shoulders rolling forward in defeat. “I guess I ended up doing exactly just that.”

She shook her head, her disbelief evident. “I know how to take care of myself,” she protested softly.

Seeing the pain in her eyes, he pulled her into his arms, resting his cheek on the crown of her head, stroking her back gently. She melted into his embrace, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline.

“I know you can,” he assured her, his voice full of conviction. The intensity of his feelings sent chills down his spine. “It’s just... you mean the world to me. I’ve never met anyone who threw my world off its axis the way you did the first time I saw you.”

He felt her melting into him at the sound of his words, each one pulling her closer to him. They stood there, wrapped up in their own world, oblivious to everything around them. He leaned back and stared into her eyes, his smoldering gaze piercing through her defenses.

“I love you,” he whispered with every ounce of conviction he could master. “I don’t care about the past. All I want is to be with you.”

“And I love you,” she echoed, her voice matching his conviction.

They held each other tightly, the weight of their emotions finally finding release. In that moment, he realized how much he had needed this, needed her. The fear, the anger, the guilt—all of it seemed to dissipate as they stood together.

A shadow fell over them, and Phillip felt himself being yanked away from Poison’s arms. He was flung backward, landing hard on his back a few feet away. Pain radiated through his spine as he struggled to get his bearings. Through the haze of confusion, he saw Poison being grabbed roughly by the arms, her eyes widening in shock.

Reaper.

The name sent a jolt of adrenaline through him. The man was a looming presence, his grip on Poison tight and unforgiving. He shook her, drawing her out of the tender moment they had just shared.

“You can’t be with him!” Reaper spat fiercely, his face contorted with rage. “Don’t you get it, Minke?” He shook her. “I love you. I am the only man who’s ever loved you for who you truly are. He,” Reaper pointed an accusing finger in his general direction, freezing Phillip to the spot. “He doesn’t love you like I do. I ‘ve always loved you, but your brother wouldn’t allow it!”

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