“I’ll help you clean up.” Karson states and I nod. Remaining silent, I give them my back and make my way back through the tunnel. Taking my time, I peer through each door’s window–seeing what, or who is inside. Coming up to the third door on the right, I step to the window and look inside.
Jackpot.
Smiling to myself, I reach down and slide the metal lock open. Pushing the door open, I step into the cold, dark room and look down. Preston lays on the concrete floor, still knocked unconscious. I was going to get back up to Parker’s room and wait for her to wake, but now that I’m inhere, looking at the person responsible for hurting the love of my life–and robbing my world of any joy and sanity the last two days–I decide to wait.
Closing the door slowly, my eyes never leaving the waste of skin on the floor, I cross my ankles then fold my arms over my chest and wait. He stirs after about fifteen minutes, groaning and attempting to roll to his side. His eyes crack open and his soulless blues find me. Once his fog starts to lift he blinks, and he lets out a laugh when he focuses on me
“That useless piece of shit couldn't even finish the job I paid him for? I want a refund.” He mocks as he attempts to sit up.
“Oh no please.” I say, pushing off of the wall and moving toward him. “Don’t get up on my account.” My fist launches into the side of Preston’s face, knocking him back down to the floor. Blood flies from his nose and mouth, and he lets out a twisted chuckle. Taking a minute to gather his bearings, he attempts to get up and I deliver another blow to the side of his head. It bounces off the floor with the blow and a satisfyingcrackechoes in the small cell-like room. Hovering over him, my breathing becomes erratic and my blood begins to boil as I watch him try to gather his bearings. This piece of shit doesn’t deserve to breathe the stale, copper scented air in this tunnel. He took what’s mine, fuckingmine. He hurt her, ran across the country with her, and tried to have me killed. I should end this evil bastard right here and now. I feel my control about to snap as he rights himself and sits up then looks at me, a twisted grin on his face and his pupils dilate.
“She was never yours.” He growls through labored breathing. “She was always mine. She will always bemine,Maverick.” he spits at my feet. My eyes land where his saliva does and I huff an amused laugh through my nose. Looking back to him, he licks some of the blood from his bottom lip, smug triumph written all of his face. My arm flies to his throat and I squeeze. Lifting him off of his feet, I bring him off the ground so that he’s eye level with me.Can’t have him miss the point I’m about to make.Hiseyes begin to bulge from the sockets as I continue to squeeze and walk him backwards toward the wall.
“That’s where you're wrong, Preston.” I growl and slam him into the concrete wall behind him. The air rushes out of his lungs and his eyes close on instinct. Squeezing again on his neck to force his eyes open, he finally looks at me.
“She was alwaysMINE. Even when she was with you, she wasMINE. She was placed on this earth to beMINE. I would have always found her, in any lifetime, in any universe. Parker isMINE, andYOU…” I trail off when I see his eyes begin to go vacant. I slap the side of his face with my free hand. “Hey fuck stick, pay attention.YOUwere in the way. Not only were you in the way, you fucking hurt whatsMINE.” He tries to speak but I squeeze harder, effectively forcing him to abandon his attempt at talking, and gasp for air instead. When he's almost passed out, I loosen my grip and he coughs.
“You gonna…kill me…big guy?” He grins. I mull over his words for a moment.
“No, death would be too kind.” His smile drops and I slam his head into the wall. His body goes limp and I drop him like a sack of potatoes to the floor. Staring down at him, I crack my neck then make my way out of the room. I need to calm down and get back to Parker before she wakes.
Closing the door to the cell, I bump into Nick who’s wiping blood from his hands. He looks to me then through the cell window. “Seems we had similar plans.” He says flatly and I nod.
“He’s unconscious. For now.” I tell him, then give him my back. As I begin to climb the stairs, I hear the cell door open then close with a slam. Preston’s in for a long couple of days. Ialmostfeel sorry for the bastard, because as much as I want to torture and destroy him, he robbed Nick and Parker ofyearstogether as a family.
If he’s not dead by the end of the night, I’ll be surprised.
Chapter forty
My eyes crack opento a dimly lit room, and I wait for my fuzzy vision to clear. Looking around, I realize that I’m in my bedroom back at my uncle’s house. A lump forms in my throat and tears well in my eyes when I realize that I’m safe. The relief is quickly dashed when I recall Preston’s words.
He sent someone after Maverick. I need to call him. I need to…
Struggling to sit up, I move to push the blanket off of me when I feel a large, warm hand gently grip my arm.
“Woah, where you going, Sweetheart? Take it easy.” Large, tattoo-covered hands gently cup my face, and sage green eyes slide into my line of sight. The bed dips under his weight, and relief crashes into me like a tidal wave. Tears spill over my lashes and a broken sob escapes my lips. Flinging myself at him, I wrap my arms around his neck and hold onto him as if it’s the last time I’ll ever get the chance.
“Shh.” He coos. “I’ve got you. I’m right here.” He holds me tightly and buries his face into my hair.
“He told me he sent someone to kill you.” I choke out. “I thought you were dead.”
“He did, and they tried. But not hard enough.” He whispers into my hair. “They would have to do a whole lot more than that to keep me away from you, Sweetheart.” My sobs become louder, but Maverick just holds me and waits for them to subside before he speaks again.
“How are you feeling?” He asks and pulls back to look at me.
“My head feels like it’s been split open, and I’m thirsty, but otherwise I’m okay. How long have I been out?” I ask.
“You’ve been in and out for about twelve hours. The doctor gave you some pain medication which helped you stay asleep, but you need to take it easy. You have a bad concussion.” He tells me and I wipe the tears from my cheeks.
“Is that all that he found?” I ask. He shakes his head.
“Your skull has evidence of numerous healed skull fractures, as well as a couple new ones.” He says and searches my eyes. My heart lurches into my throat, knowing that I can’t hide anything from him any more. I swallow and look down, then knot my fingers on my lap. I nod and take in a deep breath.
“Eyes, Sweetheart.” Maverick whispers, then lifts my chin with his finger. My eyes fill with tears when I look back at him. “I’m not going anywhere. Tell me.”
Blowing out a breath, I nod my head then begin to tell Maverick everything. What happened to my parents, living with Uncle Nick, meeting Preston, and every dark detail of my past. It’s painful to tell him everything, and I can see the rage behind his eyes when I recount the abuse and isolation I experienced, but he remains silent–allowing me to tell my story without interruption.
“No one will ever hurt you again, Raven. I will kill anyone who even thinks of hurting you in any way. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. I will never let that happen again.” He tells me when I’m finished, and cupsmy cheek. Leaning into his touch, I close my eyes, reveling in the fact that he’s here, and he’s safe.
