Page 96 of Cut Me Down

She killed someone for me. I knew this girl would surprise me, but not like that. Never did I expect that. This girl cares that much for me. She protected me, and didn’t hesitate to do so. She sacrificed her sanity to save my life…

Not only that, but my little wolf is finally tired of being a victim.

Watching that feral, homicidal look in her eyes come to life was like watching a phoenix emerge from the ashes. She wasn’t afraid, or anxious, or paranoid about what was happening around her. She just became a force of nature, and watching her bloom was the most amazing thing I could have ever witnessed in my life. I felt so much pride and lust for her in that moment, and I know that passion will never fade, but fuck I’m so angry with myself.

She never should have been put in the position to protect me. I'm better than that. I need to be. I can’t be vulnerable like that again. Not when her life and well-being are at stake. We’ve made so much progress with her mental health; I can’t let this erase all of the work she’s done.

Serena passed out the moment she got back in the car, but I think that was from the adrenaline, because she’s starting to stir. The crew recovered the bodies but couldn’t do much else before ‘authorities’ arrived. Carter said he could hear distress calls flying into PD dispatch, but that the calls were not being responded to. That could only mean one thing.

Hugo is paying the PD.

Whether it be the Chief of Police, the Mayor, multiple lieutenants, or all of them for that matter. Which doesn't make the city safe. That mother fucker is going to feel my wrath. He came for my girl, and that can’t go unpunished. I can’t wait to slit his throat open just so I can shove my hand inside and feel the air drain from his windpipe. I'll sell my soul to Hades, Satan, or whoever runs the hell these fuckers go to when they die to ensure that his pain will never end.

I know what they do to women. What would've happened if they took her? The thought sends a wave of rage down my spine. I look over to her, and I just get angrier. How could someone hurt something so beautiful? So sweet? I'll never understand how those men could do what they do. Completely defile women and leave them with only pieces of who they used to be. I place my hand on her thigh to remind myself that it didn’t happen to her. Just feeling her makes me feel sane. Grounded even. She’s right there. She wasn’t taken, or hurt. So, before I let my anger literally drive us off the road, I need to remain in the right head space.

I'm taking her home, and as much as she'll hate it, she won't be able to leave without me until it's safe for her. I can't have her in the public eye or in the apartment right upstairs from where they found her. They’ll be looking for whoever did this, and I need to make it clear that it was me who slit their throats. I have to make a statement to Dust that she's not the reason Cooper is dead, and I think I know just how to do it. Something that will show him just how serious I am about exterminating him and anyone else who dares to come after my woman or my organization.

My attention is drawn to the rear-view mirror to see Serena sitting up groggily. Gripping the edge of the seat like she might puke again.

“Are you alright?” I ask as she rubs her forehead. Looking around in a daze.

“Where are we going?”

“To my house. You two will be safe there until I fix this.”

“So you do have a house?” I raise my eyebrow at her attitude infused question.

“Excuse me?”

“We were just talking earlier about where you lived. I had thought you had moved in with Ash when she talked about you ‘coming home’ last night, and that led to the question of where you lived. So.” She shrugs her shoulders and bobs her head. Her and Ashia are nothing alike. The way her voice squeaks, and how she bounces her body like she walks on a bounce house is maddening. She's very perky. Kind of bitchy. Extremely nosey.

“Yes, I have a house, but I have been staying with her for about three weeks.” There’s a few moments of silence as I turn my attention back to the road.

“Who were those people?” She asks a tad nicer.

“Dust bunnies.” I say, my tone bland.

“What?”

“Men that work for Dust, the drug organization.” She leans forward, putting her head between the seats.

“That’s what they call themselves?” She asks with uncertainty.

“Fuck no, but that’s my word for them.” She huffs out a laugh.

“Why were they asking about Cooper? Ash told me you said he was working for them, but I thought you…took care…of him?”

“I did, but I didn’t flash his body on a billboard to show he was dead. My mistake.” Another moment of silence passes, deepening the awkwardness. I look over again to my little wolf as she groggily moves and places her hand on top of mine, just to go back to sleep. I can see Serena’s head cock to the side just in my peripheral.

“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing with my best friend…” She says as she finally sits back.

“She’s not a fucking game to me.” There’s a sharp silence after I snap at her. I know I shouldn’t be so hateful towards her, she’s been through a lot today too. I take a deep breath and try to compose myself. “Listen, I know you don’t like me…”

“Yeah, and as unfortunate as it is, I don’t need to like you. Because she does. Shit, she might even love you.” Another sharp silence fans throughout the car. I know she loves me, and her friend knows she loves me. I wonder if she realizes it yet. “You can’t let anything happen to her. She’s my best friend, and she’s all I’ve got. She’s been through so much already. Don’t take her feelings for you lightly, because if I have to pick her up off the floor again, I’m not sure she’ll survive it. If something happens to her, I'll kill you.” I know I could toss her tiny ass around like a football, but I'll entertain her empty threat for a while. The fact that she has someone other than me that cares for her is comforting. She’ll never be able to protect Ashia like I do, but she won’t have to try. I look in the rearview mirror and stare directly at her.

“Nothing will happen to her. They’ll have to pry her from my cold, dead hands, and even if that does happen, my men know to protect her at all costs. Every other life will end before hers will.” I declare with not an ounce of uncertainty.

“Good. Go ahead and put my name on that list too.” She crosses her arms and forcefully sits against the seat like a child. I don’t need her to like me, but Ashia needs her to at least tolerate me. Though I'm not sure that’s possible.

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