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“I think so.”
I did a quick once over, searching for blood. When I didn’t find any, I attacked the motherfucker, pouncing on him with everything I had. The force of my body colliding with his knocked the gun out of his hand. He stumbled and landed on his back.
I went on autopilot, punching his face, showing no mercy the way my brothers and I trained for dealing with gangs in our territory.
“Nobody touches what’s mine!” I pounded my fist into his face. Karma’s beautiful face flashed, but it was black and blue because of this fucker. “Nobody touches what’s mine,” I roared like a goddamn animal, seeing red.
“Mommy’s bleeding.” Nova’s voice jerked me back to reality. “Don’t hurt my dad,” she screamed. “Daddy, help us!” Her words crushed me.
I ripped myself away before I killed Stein with my bare hands. Nova couldn’t see me murder, who she believed was her father. The maggot didn’t move. His bloodied face was turned to the side, clearly unconscious, so I left the piece of shit to go to my woman.
“Karma, are you okay?” I avoided Nova’s gaze. If hatred was in her eyes when she looked at me, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“Yeah.” She pressed her hand against her arm. “What about you?”
“I’m fine.” I assessed her injury. The bullet had knicked her bicep. “It’s only a flesh wound. A few stitches, and you’ll be good as new.”
“Your knuckles look worse.” She winced, examining my hands.
“Jesus, what were you thinking? Don’t ever try to take a bullet for me again. Nova needs you.”
“Abe, he was going to shoot you.”
“I don’t care,” I growled. “Nova is who matters, not me.”
“Dad, you’re bleeding,” Nova said through her tears. I couldn’t stomach seeing her with that prick. She’d probably want nothing to do with me after all this. I dropped my chin to my chest, trying to find a fast solution before the sheriff arrived.
Karma nudged me and flicked her eyes toward Nova. I turned only because Karma told me.
“Did you hear me? You’re bleeding, Daddy.” Nova’s hand touched mine. It was then I realized she’d been talking to me. “I’ll get the first-aid kit in the bathroom.” She kissed my cheek and left, taking the air in my lungs with her.
“Oh my gosh, do you hear that?” Karma whispered. “Motorcycles.”
“Did you see that? She called me daddy and kissed me.” My eyes watered, but now wasn’t the time to get emotional.
“Yes, but do you hear the motorcycles? I bet we’ll hear sirens soon.”
“Oh, shit.” I got to my feet. “Let me handle everything. Do not confess to anything.”
“I won’t.”
“I got it, Daddy.” Nova ran toward me with a white box, tears rolling down her cheeks.
I had never heard a word I loved hearing more than daddy.
25
Karma
I rocked Nova in my arms on the sofa while a pair of deputies inspected my house. She’d finally stopped crying. I felt horrible for forcing her to stay with me when she wanted to go with Abe, but what else was I to do? Abe had loaded Stein in the back of his truck when Lynx and Dodge arrived. They were taking him to a cabin to deal with him. Nova couldn’t go with her daddy, and it tore her up.
I had a feeling I’d never see Stein again.
Abe had given me a short script to follow. I had to admit it was working. The deputies were not happy with me.
“The house alarm must’ve scared them off. How am I supposed to know where they went? Isn’t that your job?”
The rumble of motorcycles made the deputies turn toward the front window. Headlights streamed into the room. There was more than one.
