Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
“If you ever decide to drop the psycho and date a guy who won’t embarrass you in public, let me know.”
This fucking asshole.
A siren begins blaring in my head, loud enough that I want to cover my ears but know it won’t make a difference. Even now, with my vision red and a craving for this stupid bastard’s balls strong enough to knock the breath out of me.
Though that’s where rational thought ends.
“Ren!” Scarlet’s high-pitched squeal fades to the background in favor of the pained groan that results from my fist connecting with the stupid asshole’s cheekbone. Douchebag.
“Say it again,” I growl, hauling him upright once he begins to slide down the wood-paneled wall. “Come on, you piece of shit. Say it again.”
When he does nothing but groan, I pull my fist back and hit him again. Again. Blood blooms on his lips as if by magic, and the sight only heightens the joy of breaking his face open one blow at a time.
He thinks he can take her from me. He thinks I’ll step aside and let him do what he wants. That I’m weak enough to let that happen.
“Yo, dude, lay off him.” Some foolish bystander tries to pull me away, but all it takes is my glare to send him running with his tail between his legs. Whatever he sees, it’s enough to drain the color from his face.
He tried to take her from me.
Nobody will ever take her from me.
Not if I have to burn the entire fucking world down to keep her in my grasp.
“Ren! Stop!” I hear the fear in her voice when I let the now unconscious body hit the floor, but she might as well be miles away. Nothing matters more than teaching this piece of shit a lesson he’ll never forget. And if bystanders witness it and learn a lesson, good. Everyone needs to know.
“You’re not taking her from me.”
Dropping to one knee, I pound on his nose and his jaw until my knuckles are bloodstained and aching. And still, it isn’t enough.
“You are not.” Another blow. “Fucking bastard.” Another.
I register Scarlet’s body practically draped over mine before hearing her frantic cry almost directly in my ear.
“You need to stop. Now. We have to go.”
Her nails dig into my arms, accompanied by a fierce whisper. “They’re calling the police.”
That’s what does it.
Those four words are the pin that bursts the balloon of my rage.
Beneath me is a bloodied, battered man who, moments ago, was smirking and sure of himself. I did this. I wiped that smirk off his face before rearranging it for him. “Won’t be hitting on anybody after this, will you?” I mutter, standing, my chest heaving, my cock threatening to burst out from my pants, all from the sheer exhilaration of defeating my foe.
Not with a face like that.
I did more than defeat him. He’s out cold, his face a broken, bloody mess. Somewhere behind me, a woman weeps softly.
“Come on.” Scarlet tugs my arm, inspiring me to hustle us both out the door. No one bothers to stop us after they’ve seen what I’m capable of. I parked close to the entrance in case we needed to get away quickly.
As it turns out, we do.
It doesn’t occur to me until we’re rolling down the street that we never paid for dinner.
Who the fuck cares? I checked into the hotel under a fake name, and this isn’t my Jeep. Even if somebody caught sight of the tags, there’d be no tracing it back to me. We’re out of here in the morning, anyway.
Right? Am I kidding myself? Fuck, I don’t know anything anymore.
Except one thing. “I will never accept that shit from anyone. Ever.”
Scarlet shakes, whimpering, looking over her shoulder like she expects to find cars chasing us down.
“Are you okay?” she squeaks.
Am I? I’m fucking euphoric, my body humming, adrenaline still flowing. I could’ve killed the bastard, and I almost wish I had. If it hadn’t been for her presence—and the others around us—I’m not sure I could’ve stopped myself. The smug, arrogant prick.
“I’m fine.” I catch her staring at my fists and shake my head. “They’re fine, too. It doesn’t even hurt.” Not when I’m flying high the way I am now. Nothing can touch me.
“That was…” She settles back in her seat, a hand over her chest.
“Are you okay?” I know she can’t be concerned for him. I already told her I’m fine. It’s not the first time she’s ever witnessed violence.
I can’t imagine why she’s still shaking.
After keeping me waiting until we reach the hotel garage, she slowly turns to me. “I thought you were going to kill him. I thought he might actually be dead.”
“I wish I had killed him. He deserved it.” Turning to her upon parking, I stare into her shining, teary, blue eyes. She’s crying. I see it, but for some reason, I don’t feel anything. It does nothing to me. “He was a disrespectful piece of shit who thought he could take you from me.”