Page 177 of Filthy Love

“I mean it, Colton. I will kill them.”

“Gia… “

“I will kill them.” She vowed into another sob before she flung herself into his chest, wrapping her arms around him she held on and wouldn’t let go, just let him dare try, she wasn’t letting go. “No one will hurt you again, sweet man. Not on my watch”

“Is this your watch?” He asked soberly. Her arms clutched him to her, his warmth soaking to the soul.

“Of course, it is. You’re mine. I will put your pieces back together.”

“Gia…” it was the third time in a matter of minutes he’d said her name and each time sounded like a strangled prayer.

“Why is she calling you now?”

He sneered, marring his beautiful face. “She crawls out from under her rock several times a year for money. It’s easier to pay her off than it is to deal with her.”

“Does Ambrosio know any of this?”

“He knows what happened to me. Not that I pay her off.”

“I need a drink.” Gia staggered to her feet, made it to the kitchen and leaned her head over the sink trying to breath and regather herself.

Feet alerted her to his presence. Turning, his eyes burned into her and Gia cleared her throat, grabbed the bottle of scotch and poured him a hefty glass. She hated hard brown liquor but considered downing it all in one gulp.

“I’m so fucking full of fury, Colton. I can’t think past how angry I am for you.”

“It’s done and over with now, Gia.” He scowled. “I didn’t tell you, so I’d upset you.”

“I can be upset!” She fumed. “Those fucking assholes. Disgusting bitch. Where does she live? I’ll go there and show her what I fucking do to a piece of shit. Are any of those basement people still living? I’ll kill them too.”

Madly, she paced and grabbed the scotch out of his hands and gulped a good mouthful. Regretting it the moment it hit her throat. Oh shit, it burned so badly. Hawk rubbed her back through a coughing fit.

Realized he was laughing. “Fierce, little warrior.” He kissed the top of her head, took the glass from her, and crying again she flung arms around his middle, not letting go. “Every person I could find is no longer breathing.” He announced seriously.

She looked up at him through her wet lashes and told him truthfully. “Good.”

“Good? You’re glad I killed?”

“Yes. Fuck yes. I’d kill them all.”

Composed minutes later, she looked Hawk square in the eye. “You won’t ever say you’re worthless again, Colton. You won’t ever again call yourself a derogatory name. I mean it. None of that was your fault. That’s not who you are now.”

“I’m not lily white, Gia.”

“No, you’re not. You’re a criminal and a former man-slut with a list of heartbreak a mile long.”

He smirked. “Romanticizing the sociopath again.”

“My sociopath.” She went up on her tiptoes, urged him to her mouth. He kissed the corner and retreated.

She saw already he was going to back away from her. It was almost as if she could see seven steps into the future. Only, Gia wasn’t going to allow that to happen.

Hawk belonged to her. Every broken and cracked piece of him. If it took all the rest of her life she’d show her man what he meant to her. How fucking amazing he was. Every bad bone he had was hers.

That was how she loved. With her eyes wide open as to the kind of man he was today. Carrying his burdens like anvils around his neck. Tortured by the colors he’d painted himself to be.

She loved him. Worshipped him. And now he wasn’t alone. She’d never let him be alone for those memories to strangle him again.

Gia also knew one day Lisette Hawk would be taught a lesson she’d never forget.

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