Page 52 of Burned in Stone
“The police department?” he says, feigning innocence. “Young man, it is literally my job to protect and serve. Says it right here on my badge.”
The badge. Always the fucking badge. Like it makes him untouchable. Like it gives him the right to do whatever he wantsand we’re all supposed to bow down because he’s got metal pinned to his chest. I’ve seen cops like him my whole life—the ones who use that badge as a weapon, who hide behind it while they destroy people who can’t fight back. The ones who cornered scared kids in alleys and called it “community outreach.”
Gabriel’s exactly that type. And he’s standing here using that badge as a shield while he terrorizes the woman I love.
“And Summit,” I add, not letting him deflect, forcing my voice to stay level even though my hands are shaking with the need to rip that badge off his waist.
His expression flickers—just for a second—before settling back into that practiced neutrality. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” Bones steps up beside me, arms crossed. “Move along. Go be a good little guard dog somewhere else.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t move. Instead, he shifts his attention back to Mercy, ignoring me and Bones entirely, like we’re not even worth acknowledging.
“I’ll leave,” he says, voice taking on that reasonable tone I’m learning to hate. “Right after I have a conversation with my wife.”
“Ex-wife,” Mercy corrects, her voice stronger than I expect.
“Not legally,” he counters. “Not yet. And as your husband, I have every right to speak with you privately about our marital issues.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you,” I growl, my hand tightening on Mercy’s hip.
“Cash.” Mercy steps in front of me, her hand pressing flat against my chest. The touch grounds me instantly, pulling my focus from that bastard’s smug face to her wide green eyes. She’s scared—I can see it in the tension around her mouth—but underneath that fear is determination.
“Can we please just get out of here?” Her voice is low, meant only for me.
Every muscle in my body screams to stay, to make this asshole understand exactly what happens to men who threaten what’s mine. But Mercy’s hand is warm against my chest, and I can feel her pulse racing through her fingertips. So I pull her possessively against me, one hand sliding into her hair as I kiss her—quick and rough, claiming her mouth in front of Gabriel because fuck him and his reasonable tone and his badge and everything he represents. When I pull back, I keep her close, my lips brushing her temple.
“We can go, angel,” I say, loud enough for Gabriel to hear. “You’re right. He’s not worth it.”
The muscle in Gabriel’s jaw ticks as he forces himself not to react to the kiss, the comment. His eyes drop to my hand at her waist as he drags in a breath, then they travel up and he jolts, reading the back of Mercy’s cut. His entire demeanor shifts—something ugly crossing his face.
“Property of Cash,” he reads through gritted teeth. “How romantic. You ran from me because I was so controlling, and now you’re wearing another man’s name on your back like a dog collar.” He laughs, the sound harsh and grating. “At least I had the decency to give you a ring instead of branding you like livestock.” He spits on the ground. “Fucking whore.”
I lunge forward, but Bones catches my arm, his grip iron tight.
“Don’t give him what he wants,” Bones mutters in my ear. “He’s baiting you.”
“Listen to your handler,” Gabriel smirks.
I’m about to rip free of Bones’s grip when Steel steps between us, his bulk blocking my path to Gabriel.
“We’re leaving,” Steel says firmly, looking at me instead of the cops. “Right now.”
Mercy tugs on my hand, her fingers trembling. “Please, Cash.Please.”
The desperation in her voice cuts through my rage. I force myself to breathe, to step back, to let Steel and Bones create a wall between us and Gabriel.
“This isn’t over,” Gabriel calls as we start walking away. “Mercedes, you can play house with these criminals all you want, but you’re still my wife. And you’ll always come back to me.”
Mercy tries to ignore him, but I can see the way his words land. Her whole body stiffens.
We get to the bikes. Bones and Steel keep tight formation, as if expecting Gabriel to follow, but he doesn’t. He just stands there, hands on his hips, watching us go with that poisonous little smile.
We ride for maybe five minutes before I can’t take it anymore. The rage is eating me alive, making my vision blur. I signal and pull over into an empty parking lot behind a closed strip mall, ripping off my helmet and hurling it at the ground.
“FUCK!” The word tears out of my throat, raw and furious.
The helmet bounces off the asphalt, rolling to a stop against a dumpster. I’m off the bike, pacing, my hands fisted so tight my knuckles ache.
