Page 53 of Warrior

“No,” I shake my head. “I don’t think you’re stupid at all. I just think there is a better way to handle all of this.”

He glances from me back to Lyric, before bending down to eye level with her. “Oh, there is. She’s going to tell me where my family is or she’s going to watch me gut you open all over her kitchen floor.”

My insides turn cold and my gaze darts to Lyric. Only instead of fear on her face, I find her staring the asshole down, her lips tipped up in a sneer. “You’ll never have them.”

Two things happen at once. My last restraint snaps, and Deveroix pulls a blade out of his back pocket lunging toward Lyric. I do not hesitate and throw myself at him, tackling his body and taking him by surprise. He swings at me, and I attempt to trap his arm or knock the weapon away with my boot. I’m painfully aware that my own knife is within reach. I just need him to be unarmed for a second.

We grapple, and finally I’m able to shove him, knocking his hand, and the knife drops, slicing my hand on the way down. I kick it to the right, opening my body up, and he lands a punch to my abdomen. My arm wraps around my side, faking a double-over, and I roll away, which allows me to grab my own blade.

Deveroix snarls at me, coming back for more; only this time, I’m faster. I swing at him, nicking his shoulder when he moves. He screams, and I smirk. Of course he’s only a tough guy when it comes to hurting women. He makes a move in Lyric’s direction, and I grab him, the momentum sending us tumbling into the living room. He manages to round me and grabs me in a chokehold. With one hand on his arm, I hook my ankle around his leg, breaking free and taking him down to his knees. I lurch toward where my knife dropped at the same time he charges at me. I turn and slam my knife right into his throat. His eyes open in surprise and his lips part in a gurgle of blood. Fuck, that’s messy. For a split-second I feel triumph, we won, and Lyric is safe. Until I notice the searing pain in my gut from the knife in his hand. Shit.

He slumps forward and I yank my knife from his neck and move back. Blood spurts out of the wound I gave him and trickles out of his mouth as he falls to his knees. His eyes go wideas if he just realized how fucked he is. His hand reaches forward, then he slumps to the side as all the life drains from inside him.

I fall to a knee, covered in blood, his and mine. I press my hand to my side, trying to stop the bleeding. I’m not sure where he stuck me, but it feels vital. I’m losing a lot of blood.

“Colt!” Lyric yells my name, then she’s right there next to me, grasping my shoulders as I sprawl out on my back.

“Phone,” I manage to rasp out to her, pointing at Deveroix’s dead body. She takes the hint and rummages in his pockets. She pulls a phone out and scoots closer to me.

“Shit! It's dead!” She looks defeated, and I’m scared she’ll cry again. I can’t have her crying over me. I grab her arm with my free hand and pull her to me.

“Go,” I tell her, holding her blue eyes with my own. Fuck, she’s so beautiful. Even with tears in her eyes and covered in my blood, she’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. I love her so much. “Run to your neighbors. Find anyone.”

I’m starting to feel like I’m having an out of body experience. My words feel far away and my vision looks as if I’m watching what is happening. Deveroix definitely hit something vital when he stabbed me. I can taste the coppery tang of blood in the back of my throat.

“I can’t leave you,” Lyric sobs next to me.

With the little energy I have left, I push her away. “You have to so we can both get out of here. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“You can’t die on me, Colt!” she shouts, getting to her feet. “I love you. I never stopped loving you. You can’t leave me again.”

“I won’t. You owe me a trip down the aisle someday, Taylor. I need to see that dress.” I manage to laugh and cough up blood at the same time. Her face pales.

“I’m coming right back,” Lyric whispers as she kisses my forehead.

In the next second, she’s gone, and I feel cold. I’ve always assumed this is what dying would be like. Pictures of your life playing like a movie in your mind, some of the sweetest memories burning the brightest while the saddest ones make your chest ache. After years of not caring whether I lived or died, as long as I kept my country safe, it sure sucks to know I probably am not going to live this time. My biggest regret is not looking for Lyric sooner. For handling rejection the way I did. I think about my dad, AJ, Zane, the club and my brothers. All the things I’m going to miss out on. Even as my chest rattles and breathing gets more difficult, I really hope that someone remembers to play “Wanted Dead or Alive” at my funeral and those idiots party at the bar afterward, taking shots and singing to “Carry On My Wayward Son.” I trust Zane will get it done. I trust that my family and my club will take care of my girl. Fuck, Lyric. All I wanted was to love her again. My eyes water. I realize it’s tears as they leak out and trail down into my hairline. Everything feels numb. My eyes close and as they do, I see Alex and Jordan. I recognize him in the Crimson Tide sweatshirt.

You need to hold on, little brother…

Do not leave her again…

Chapter 24

Colt

Ithought Heaven was supposed to be quiet. I hope I didn’t end up in Hell or Purgatory, wherever guys like me go. All I know is it’s loud. The beeping is giving me a headache. I strain to move my legs and realize that that hurts too. There’s a searing pain behind my eyes the next time I open them.

“Colt?” Her voice calls to me. I manage to turn my head and lock eyes with the love of my life.

“Lyric,” saying her name is difficult, but damn, it feels good.

“Page the doctor,” she says over her shoulder before turning back to me, taking my hand in hers.

“What happened?” I manage to get out. My throat is killing me and tastes like plastic.

“You almost died, fucker,” Zane says from my other side. I turn toward him the best I can, my head swimming from the motion. “You’ve been in the hospital for four days. They had to put you in a coma after your surgery.”

“Coma, huh? So they’re giving me the good drugs, then?” I crack a grin, and Zane laughs.

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