Page 36 of Devil Within

“What the fuck? Where are you?”

“At the dumpster behind the shop. I broke his nose and punched his tiny dick. I really think he needs to die.”

“Don’t do that. I’m on my way.”

“Okay.”

She hung up.

“You stopped moaning,” she said to the man.

“Fucking bitch,” he gasped again, although his voice was garbled since his nose no longer worked correctly.

“That right there.” She shook her head. “You’re not regretful enough.”

He was struggling to get up, and she didn’t like that. So, when he put his hand on the ground in an effort to get leverage, she brought her leg up and smashed it down on his fingers. Once more he cried out in pain, and she smiled. When he snatched it back, cradling it in his body, she walked behind him and kicked him in his back. In retaliation, he tried to swing his fist back to hit her, but she stepped back.

“I bet you’re thinking, how is this skinny girl causing me so much pain? It’s because I’ve been right there in your position. I know how it feels to have your nose broken. To have your fingers crushed. And I know the excruciating pain when someone forces themselves right between the legs.”

Just then Jade appeared, with Apollo right behind him. He gave her a quick once-over before sparing a glance at the downed man.

“What happened?” he asked her.

“This is the man from the alley,” she replied calmly. “He admitted to stalking me. Wrapped his arms around me from behind. So, I hurt him. But I really want to see him dead.”

The man got to his knees and started to stand up. Jade walked over and, with one punch to the already broken nose, rendered the man unconscious.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Jade muttered. He walked over to her and lifted her chin to study her. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, but he brought back my PTSD.”

Apollo stepped forward and smiled at her before glancing at the unconscious man. “You fucked him up, Shiloh?”

“Yes.”

“Awesome,” he said and held out his fist.

She bumped it with her own.

“Hold him,” Apollo said. “I’ll run back to the compound and bring back the car. We can take him to our barn.”

“Sounds like a plan. Let me get the zip-ties.”

He disappeared for a moment, but returned quickly and grabbed the man’s arms while Apollo picked up his legs. They essentially hog-tied him and taped his mouth shut.

With a jaunty salute, he hopped on his bike and sped away. Jade pulled her into his arms, and a wonderful warmth filled her. Something she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Her arms lifted and hugged him back, and right there, she broke.

All the pent-up emotions. The fear. The hate. The thoughts of self-harm. Missing, yearning, hoping. Scared to be alone, but also scared to be with others. He’d taken it away. He’d taken everything from her, and left behind a shell.

A rumbling happened, and it took her a moment to realize that Jade was humming. Low and soft, he calmed her. Soothing her like he was hypnotizing an Asp. The venom drained away, cleansing her soul. Bringing life back to Lazarus.

“Once Apollo comes back, I want you to take me home, Jade. Your home.”

“Are you sure?”

Shiloh nodded. “I’m still giving him power over me, and I don’t want to live like this anymore. Make love to me over and over and burn his memory away once and for all.”

Desire filled Jade’s eyes, along with darkness. A beautiful vengeful fury, all for her. They stayed locked in an embrace until Apollo returned, and the two men threw the asshole into the trunk. Then, Jade placed her on his bike, and she held tight all the way to his home. The bike screamed through the night, and when they finally hit his driveway, she was wet from the vibrations between her thighs.