Page 64 of Tick Tock, Boom!

And I missed him so fucking much.

My body tensed, as I slid my fingers inside me. A frustrating sensation that didn't fill me completely. I wanted his cock in me, filthy and hard like it always had been for me. I pictured his hand running down my spine as I crawled on all four for him. He loved it even though he was just getting used to having a pet. The need hit me in waves, crashing through me as the orgasm ripped free, sharp and brutal.

I cried out his name as the release overtook me, and soon after the sobs followed. I collapsed to my knees, the water pounding against my back, my tears being washed away. And I cried until there was nothing left. Then I crawled into bed, the rifle beside me, and I let those memories fade.

NATALIA

Ihadn't been able to sleep for weeks. Not since that asshole sat his scorpion-branded ass on my porch and threatened me. Not since my son's father decided to bleed out in front of me.

Ever since then, every shadow made my skin crawl, every noise made me jump, every rumble of a motorcycle engine made my breath catch. I didn't feel safe at night anymore and I prayed my boss didn't call me in for another of his midnight soirees.

I didn't feel safe during the day either. I wanted to hide, I felt exposed and helpless. Because not only was I no march for those men, but I audacity to think I was strong enough to take them on. Wolf's voice echoed in my mind.

Strength is in everything, Natalia. Tactic and strategy, being smart, that's what you need to focus on.

But I should've known better. Here I was, pretending to play,House,with my ten-year-old son while monsters prowled in leather and chrome around us.

And yet, I wasn't going anywhere.Because running was how it all began, and the second I ran again, they'd win.

I wanted a fresh start, a clean slate, a life far away from the violence and betrayal that had shattered my youth. But blood had memory. And New Orleans? She never forgot.

It had been three weeks since I’d stitched up the man who ruined my life, the man who claimed to love me and then left me bleeding from the inside out. I hadn’t seen him again. I hadn’t seen any of them. But the city hadn’t changed. The tension still lived in those alleyways on my walk back to my car and when the sun dipped behind the bayou trees, something darker always came out to play.

And me? I was done being prey.

I glanced down the hallway where Gabriel slept, curled up on the sofa in his rocket ship pajamas, teddy bear tucked tight to his chest. My heart clenched just looking at him. When I first arrived in Los Angeles I was filled with thoughts of vengeance. I vowed to kill them all starting with Tick Tock. But that soon changed, and my focus became my son. And I’d kill for that boy. I’d burn the world down for him.

My phone buzzed, cutting through the silence and startling me. Scarlett's name and face lit up my phone.

I answered quickly, voice low. "Hey."

"Hey yourself," she said, her voice filled with warmth and that familiar friendliness. "You sound like shit."

"Gee, thanks. Real ego boost."

She snorted. "You haven't called me."

"Yeah, I’m sorry. I got caught up with work and Gabe."

"How's he doing?"

"Way better than I am."

When I didn't elaborate, she pressed on. "Talk to me. What’s going on?"

I let the words tumble out, quiet but fast. Bloody Scorpions at my doorstep, the threats, the fear I tried not to wear like a second skin so that Gabe wouldn't notice his mom falling apart.

Scarlett listened without interrupting. She was good like that. When I finally paused, I heard her sigh.

"Do you need protection? I can talk to Wolf. He’ll send someone."

"No." My answer was sharp, immediate. "I’m not dragging you guys into this. You and Wolf have done enough. I can handle it."

"Bullshit, Nat. Handling it means not getting your face caved in."

"Scarlett, I’m serious. I know how to handle a gun, your husband made sure I had hand-to-hand training. I can defend myself. I’m not helpless anymore."

Of course, I didn't mention to her just how helpless I felt at the moment.

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