Page 13 of Riot

“Mr.Harrington wants to talk to his family.”The guy was belligerent but also realized his severe disadvantage.He still dragged Caleb backward, trying to get to the shut door.Caleb struggling in his grasp was an added obstacle.“This ain’t your business, man.”

“Wrong answer.”I lunged for the guy just as Caleb lifted his legs, forcing the guy to either take Caleb’s full weight or drop him to face my attack.Caleb hit the floor on his ass a moment before I was on the guy.

I slammed my fist into the guy’s face, feeling the satisfying crunch of his nose breaking under my knuckles.Blood flowed from his busted nose as he howled in pain, but I didn’t let up.I grabbed him by the throat with one hand, using my other to rain down blows on his ribs, feeling them crack beneath my fists.The guy grunted in pain but fought his way up.

“You think you can come in here and grab them?”I snarled, driving my knee into his stomach.“You think I’m gonna let that happen?”

He tried to fight back, throwing a wild punch that grazed my jaw.I barely felt it through the adrenaline.I slammed his head against the wall, then dragged him to the floor.I used my weight to hold him down with both my hands around his throat, effectively cutting off his air.The guy was panicking now, clawing at my hands, his eyes wide with fear.

“Just… doin’… my… job…” It sounded like he was struggling with everything he had to get each word out.

“Your job?”I growled, tightening my grip on his throat.“Your fucking job is terrorizing women?”

Behind me, I heard Violet’s ragged breathing and Caleb’s frantic movements.“Mom, are you okay?”Caleb’s voice was strained.

The distraction cost me.

I barely registered the flash of metal before a searing pain tore through my side.I grunted but caught his knife hand when he tried to arc the blade back into my side.When I twisted his arm backward and shoved him forward, I jerked his arm upward with a sharp jerk.There was an audible pop as his shoulder gave way.This time, the guy shrieked before clamping his teeth shut.Sweat erupted over his face with the pain.His right arm now hung limp.

He struggled to his feet, pain obvious in his features.Stumbling backward, he held up his other arm.“OK!OK!I’m sorry!I’m leaving!”

“Right.And go straight to the police, no doubt.”

“No, man!You’ll never see or hear from me again!”

I shook my head sadly.“Wish I could believe that, but anyone who’d drag a woman across a room by her hair can’t be trusted to keep his word.”

“The cops are probably already on the way, with as much noise as we’ve been making.”The guy was trying to maneuver himself between me and the door, but the room was small and I was more than capable of blocking his way.

“If they are, I’ll deal with it.But you are not leaving here on your own.”

“He always gets what he wants, man.Harrington.”The guy looked up at me.Pain still lined his face, but I saw the calculating look in his eyes.When he flipped open a switchblade with his good hand, I was ready.

He lunged, aiming at my chest.I stepped back, avoiding the blade before taking a short jab to his throat.Just so happened, he stepped forward the same time I did and the punch that would have been enough to incapacitate the guy was turned into a death blow.

I felt his windpipe give way when I hit him.He dropped to his knees, eyes bulging, hands clutching desperately at his neck.The crack was even more sickening than when his shoulder popped out.His death rattle as he tried to gasp in a few, futile breaths was worse, and I knew it was going to take at least four to five minutes for the guy to die.Last thing I wanted was Violet and Caleb to witness his death.

“Caleb, take your mother to my room please.”

“I…”

“Now, Caleb.”I tried to keep my voice calm so I didn’t terrify them further, but I needed them out of here while I called Knuckles.I was afraid to look at Violet, trusting Caleb to tell me if I needed to get her to a doctor.If she looked at me with disgust and horror, I wasn’t sure I could bear the pain.“Keep the door open between our rooms and make sure the door to the hallway is locked and chained.”

“Yes, sir.”Caleb’s voice shook, but I saw him hurry Violet through the door.

“Caleb.”I waited until the boy looked at me over his shoulder.“I promise everything will be all right.I’ll protect you with my life.”

He looked shell-shocked, but he nodded his head.“I believe you, Riot.You’re in charge.All you have to do is tell me what to do to keep Mom safe.”

“I’m supposed to be the one keeping you safe.”Violet’s voice was shaky.She clung to Caleb as he guided her through the doorway into my room but didn’t resist him.“I’m the one who put you in danger by defying your father.”

“Mom, you left him because I made you.But it’s not our fault.It’s his for being a fucking bastard.”

“Caleb!”

“I’m sorry about my language, but I’m not sorry about disrespecting him.He hurt you, Mom.No one gets to do that.Not even Dad.”

His voice faded as he guided her across the room.I heard him following my instructions as I called Knuckles.He answered on the second ring.

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