Page 59 of Fury
I spot Bethany trying to crawl away and grab her ankle, dragging her back. "Where do you think you're going?" I demand, flipping her onto her back.
"Please," she whimpers, blood streaming from her nose, mascara running down her cheeks. "I'm sorry!"
"Years too late for that," I tell her, but I release her ankle. "Get out of our town. And if I ever hear you speak about any of my family again, this will seem like a warm-up."
The fight winds down as quickly as it began. The husbands who can still stand drag their wives away, leaving behind spots of blood, torn clothing, and shattered dignity.
Xavier stands in the center of it all, looking stunned. Zach approaches him cautiously.
"You good, Doc?" he asks, knuckles bloody but eyes clear.
Xavier nods slowly. "I… Yes. Thank you. All of you."
"Nobody talks about our family like that," Samantha says fiercely, hugging her brother. "Nobody."
I survey our group, disheveled, bruised, but standing tall. Tiana's lip is split, Meadow's knuckles are swollen, and I can feel a throbbing above my eye that promises an impressive shiner tomorrow.
"So much for a drama-free girls' night," I say, and laughter ripples through the group, releasing the last of the tension.
As the others move to clean up the aftermath of the fight, Zach and Xavier find themselves standing alone near Xavier's car, the chaos of the parking lot battle fading into background noise. Suddenly, the air between them feels charged with something more intense than adrenaline from the fight.
Xavier
I look up, catching Zach staring at me with an intensity that makes my breath catch. Zach's eyes are dark, hungry, filled with something raw and undisguised. It's desire, pure and unmistakable.
Heat rushes to my face, staining my cheeks what I'm guessing is a deep crimson. I can't believe what I'm seeing, can't believe that Zach, the infamous Devil Souls enforcer, is looking at me like he wants to devour me whole.
"You didn't have to do that," I finally manage, my voice barely above a whisper. "Fight for me."
Zach steps closer, eliminating the space between us. "Yeah, I did." His voice is rough, lower than usual. "Been wanting to do a lot of things when it comes to you, Doc."
I swallow hard, my pulse racing. "Like what?"
Instead of answering, Zach reaches up, his thumb brushing across my lower lip, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. "You really need me to spell it out?"
"Maybe I do," I challenge, finding courage I didn't know I possessed. "Maybe I've been waiting a long time to hear it."
The confession hangs between us for a heartbeat before Zach growls low in his throat and backs me against my car door. "Been watching you for years," he admits, his body pressing against mine. "Driving myself crazy wanting what I thought I couldn't have."
"Why couldn't you have it?" I ask, my hands tentatively settling on Zach's waist.
"You're too good for this life. Too smart. Too clean." Zach's eyes track over my face like he's memorizing every detail. "And I didn't think you'd want someone like me."
I laugh, the sound tinged with disbelief. "Are you kidding? I've had a thing for you since high school. When you'd come to football practice, wearing that leather jacket…" I shake my head. "You have no idea how many fantasies started that way."
Something dangerous flashes in Zach's eyes. "Tell me more about these fantasies, Doc."
Before I can respond, a shout from across the parking lot breaks the moment.
"Yo, Zach! We need to move before the cops show up!" One of the prospects is waving frantically.
Zach curses under his breath but doesn't step away. "This isn't over," he promises, his voice pitched for my ears only. "Not by a long shot."
"It better not be," I reply, surprising myself with my boldness.
With one last burning look that promises everything, Zach reluctantly pushes away from the car. "Give me your phone," he demands, holding out his hand.
I comply without hesitation, watching as Zach punches in his number. "Call me when you get off shift tomorrow," Zach says, handing the phone back. "I think we've got a lot to talk about."
