Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
He lunged, aiming at my chest. I stepped back, avoiding the blade before taking a short jab to his throat. Just so happened, he stepped forward the same time I did and the punch that would have been enough to incapacitate the guy was turned into a death blow.
I felt his windpipe give way when I hit him. He dropped to his knees, eyes bulging, hands clutching desperately at his neck. The crack was even more sickening than when his shoulder popped out. His death rattle as he tried to gasp in a few, futile breaths was worse, and I knew it was going to take at least four to five minutes for the guy to die. Last thing I wanted was Violet and Caleb to witness his death.
“Caleb, take your mother to my room please.”
“I…”
“Now, Caleb.” I tried to keep my voice calm so I didn’t terrify them further, but I needed them out of here while I called Knuckles. I was afraid to look at Violet, trusting Caleb to tell me if I needed to get her to a doctor. If she looked at me with disgust and horror, I wasn’t sure I could bear the pain. “Keep the door open between our rooms and make sure the door to the hallway is locked and chained.”
“Yes, sir.” Caleb’s voice shook, but I saw him hurry Violet through the door.
“Caleb.” I waited until the boy looked at me over his shoulder. “I promise everything will be all right. I’ll protect you with my life.”
He looked shell-shocked, but he nodded his head. “I believe you, Riot. You’re in charge. All you have to do is tell me what to do to keep Mom safe.”
“I’m supposed to be the one keeping you safe.” Violet’s voice was shaky. She clung to Caleb as he guided her through the doorway into my room but didn’t resist him. “I’m the one who put you in danger by defying your father.”
“Mom, you left him because I made you. But it’s not our fault. It’s his for being a fucking bastard.”
“Caleb!”
“I’m sorry about my language, but I’m not sorry about disrespecting him. He hurt you, Mom. No one gets to do that. Not even Dad.”
His voice faded as he guided her across the room. I heard him following my instructions as I called Knuckles. He answered on the second ring.
“I need clean-up.” No need to waste time with explanations yet. There would be plenty of time for that.
“He come after them?” Knuckles was vague while still getting his meaning across. We were both on burners, but old habits die hard.
“Looks that way. If you could pick up a couple bags of garbage it would help me out. Also need a cage and someone to haul my bike.”
“Be there in twenty.”
I used the time waiting on Knuckles to move both bodies to the bathroom and into the walk-in shower. Surprisingly, though I’d caved in the one guy’s skull, there wasn’t as much blood as I’d feared. He had blood from his ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, but his skull had caved in on itself, not breaking much of the skin. There was still a small stain, but it should be manageable. I hoped.
Christ, I was in so much trouble! Now that I wasn’t focusing on a task, I was starting to feel the drop after a fight. All the emotions I’d learned to suppress until the crisis was over came rushing at me with a vengeance. I’d nearly lost Violet before I had the chance to get to know her. I’d claimed her in my heart and had failed to protect her. That stark realization hit me to my core. I’d failed at so many things in my life, but I absolutely could not fail at this. Protecting these two people was the purpose I needed in my life. I hadn’t been able to protect the person in my life who’d mattered to me most before I’d gone to prison. This time, no matter what it took, no matter what I had to sacrifice, I absolutely would not fail to protect the people I loved again.
I checked my watch. Knuckles would be here any minute. The need to check on Violet and Caleb and assess their injuries was too strong to avoid any longer. I walked into my room with slow, deliberate steps. Both mother and son met my gaze. Violet looked relieved before she swallowed and ducked her head. Caleb gave me a slow nod, never letting go of his mother.
“Are either of you hurt?” I knew I needed to be gentle, but it was damned hard. Not because I didn’t want to be careful, but because I didn’t know how to be gentle.
“I’m fine,” Caleb answered as he pointed to my side where the cut I’d gotten now burned like fire. “You’re bleeding.”