Page 41 of Fear the Reaper
“Your boy was an asshole!” Star said. “Since we’re being honest. You knew what he did was wrong. For sure, I’m sorry he died. But he had no concept of treating people like human beings. If he wasn’t a dick, I wouldn’t have had to take him down.”
“It doesn’t matter what you say.” Heller folded his arms. “The hit stays until you’re done.”
“You know I should kill him right now?” Star’s voice trembled as she cocked the weapon. “I mean if I’m dead anyway, I might as well make it for something I did wrong, right.”
“Star?” I growled.
“You do know Montana is a death penalty state, right Heller?” Swede asked. “And trust me, I have ways of making a first degree murder charge on you stick.”
“My hands are clean in this.” Heller turned to stare at Swede.
“Is that what you think?” I spoke up. This guy was out of his mind if he thought he was getting away with this. If he didn’t get charged and sent to prison, I wasn’t going to allow him to walk away. “Your hands are far from clean and we’re going to make sure the cops get all the evidence they need to fry you.”
“You made a huge mistake, Osman,” Star said. “I’m thewrongone. The only reason you’re still standing right now, is I want you to get dragged through the mud. Every news paper, television station—I want you to lose everything while watching it all again over and over during replays. And when it’s all said and done, I want to visit you in prison on the anniversary of your sentencing just to wave at you through the glass.”
Osman lunged at Star then. He snarled, fingers poised for her throat. Pissed, I reached out and grabbed him by the back of the neck and yanked. Star squeezed the trigger and the bullet barely missed Heller to slam into the side of Swede’s truck.
But Heller continued moving with the momentum of my strength. As he sailed by me, I released him and shoved the heel of my hand hard into his chest. His feet rose off the ground as he sailed through the air. I turned on him and was by his side again just as he slammed into the ground.
I hunched down beside him and met his terrified gaze. The hit had him clutching his chest, gasping for breath. But I had no pity. I wanted to snap his neck like a twig for even thinking he could get away with putting his hands on Star. “I need you to make peace with whatever god you pray to. Get your ducks in a row. If Nova so much as catches a cold, Iwillcome for you. And as God’s my witness you won’t even see me coming.”
“Is—that a threat?” Osman sputtered.
“I don’t make threats. It’s a promise.” I replied.
“Reaper…” Swede called.
I ignored him.
“Too many eyes, man,” Swede said from close to my ear.
When I looked up, a crowd had gathered around us. I backed off, allowing Swede to cuff Osman while I called for Kujo to grab Brian. Star hurried over and conspicuously handed me the gun. I dropped it into the holster against my thigh.
“He’s running!” Kujo called through my earpiece.
I frowned.
“What?” Star asked.
“Brian is running.” I said turning for the door.
Star stopped me with a hand against my arm then ran to the door. The moment it burst open, I watched as Star braced herself against the wall with one hand, planted her feet and shoved her free hand out, fingers in a fist. She caught Brian in the throat—hard.
“Oh! Clotheslined!” Swede and I chorused.
Brian did a weird, half flip—his feet went up almost to his face as he slammed, back first, into the concrete. Star kicked him in the ribs repeatedly. Her anger was evident to anyone looking on as she said a word with each kick.
“That’s—for—blowing—up—my—house!” She was saying by the time I ran over. “That’s—for—shooting—at—Reaper—”
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into my chest. But Star had tears streaming down her cheeks as she kicked and screamed, trying to get loose and reach him again. Kujo slid out the door and immediately cuffed Brian.
“She okay?” Kujo asked.
“She will be.” I turned her and cuddled her into my chest. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Nova ‘Star’ Shuman
For the firsttime in weeks, I was alone. The Protectors and Reaper remained by my side until the police had taken my statement. Reaper was always there, even when he was supposed to be taking a break. I could feel him, lurking in the shadows, watching over me like a demon guardian angel. Most women would freak out on him, telling him they didn’t need a babysitter. But I knew, there was no controlling it. He was still a little afraid someone would come after me.
