Page 76 of Retaliation

“Like I said. I can explain,” he mumbled, pulling at the cuffs again. “First, get me out of here, please?”

Her head spun, and the voices tasted like acid in the back of her throat. She stuffed the keys in his one hand and got out of the car.

“I need to go,” she whispered, dread filling her lungs. “Please forget you ever met me.”

Walking away, tears stung her eyes, threatening to spill. Her life had always been screwed up, but this was a whole new level of fucked up. Reaper appeared after ten years of radio silence, and she had the chance to get her revenge. She could taste it, had it within her reach, but had to prioritize her responsibilities.

Scorpion wanted her dead. She had been mad to think that the universe would finally allow her to find someone for whom she could have feelings, and somehow, to top it all off, she got a cop in the middle of everything. She was sure that Gavin didn’t know anything, but after tonight, he will be asking unwanted questions.

Every step became a battle, her ragged breathing a war cry against her own emotions. The voices grew louder with each step, threatening to consume her. The weight of everything bore down on her, ready to crush her beneath its brutality.

Just as the emotions threatened to smother her, she was vaguely aware of a car door slamming somewhere behind her, followed by the sound of running footsteps echoing through the empty street. Before she could comprehend what was happening, Gavin’s grip closed around her wrist, pulling her out of the suffocating darkness.

She turned, and her eyes darted between the contact and the blue of Gavin’s good eye, almost silver in the faint glow of a streetlamp.

“Please let me go,” she pleaded, but didn’t pull her hand away—she didn’t have the energy to. “And please, forget you ever met me, for everyone’s sake.”

“Minke,” His voice was soft, concerned. “Who are you?”

“I’m no one,” she whispered, freeing her hand.

“Minke,” he said, forcing her to look at him. His face was earnest, his eyes full of worry. “I’ve never seen anyone react like you just did when you found out I’m a police officer.”

She shook her head. “I take it you’re new to the city?”

“What gave it away?”

“You’d be arresting me if it weren’t the case.” Emotions made her voice shake, and she had to take a deep breath to calm her nerves.

That question mark returned between his brows as he looked into the distance.

“The guy that attacked me,” he finally said, looking back at her. “That was because of you?”

“I never meant to get anyone involved in my mess—especially not a cop. I’m sorry you got hurt in the process. Now, please. Walk away and forget about tonight.”

“Minke,” he pleaded. “I can help you, but only if you tell me what is going on.”

“You can’t help me.” She shook her head. “No one can.”

“Come to the station, and we’ll—”

“No!” she blurted. “No station and no cops. I cannot involve you even more than you already are. Go home, Gavin. Pretend tonight never happened.”

“You know I can’t let this go. It’s my job. That guy attacked a cop. He needs to be behind bars.”

“Gavin,” Her throat tightened, and she stepped back. “There are people way more dangerous than the one who attacked you. If you go digging, they won’t be happy.”

“Who are they?”

“Would you just listen to me?” she begged, frantically trying to figure out a way to convince him. “If you want to continue being a cop in this fucked up city, you’ll go about your life as if nothing happened here tonight.”

“Tell me how I can help,” he pleaded, stepping toward her, but she shook her head.

“You can help by staying out of it,” she mumbled, turning on her heel.

She sprinted to her bike, not daring to look behind

her until she reached it and revved the engine to life. Turning on her front wheel, she pulled the throttle and sped away, the tires screeching in the darkness before dawn.

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