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When Zeb takes a step back, he’s a changed man. No longer do I see him as a guy I met one night. There’s a fierce protectiveness emanating from him that’s unstoppable.
Zeb is a protector. A hunter of evil men. This is what he does. It’s only just now starting to sink in.
“We have options.” He cups my chin, gently lifting, until I meet his eyes.
When I gaze at him, his eyes are set with determination.
“Options?”
“My team’s sole purpose is helping people in situations like this. Let me help you. You don’t have to do this alone, and mark my word, Scott will pay.”
I nod and the tightness in my chest releases. Zeb’s right. I can’t do this alone. There has to be a way out of this mess I created, but do I have the strength to accept the help Zeb offers? There’s only one way to know. I let out a deep breath, release my fear, and search for strength.
“Okay.”
“That’s my girl.” He leads me into my bedroom. “Get dressed. I’m going to make some calls.”
After he leaves me alone, I sit on my bed in shock. It’s as if a great weight lifts from my shoulders. I’ve never had to ask for help like this before. I almost didn’t, too fearful of what my friends might think. Will they look at me with pity because I’m weak, or will they hate me for bringing trouble into their lives?
But if Zeb is willing to help, and if the Guardians have time to deal with my screwup, maybe that will make it easier to tell my roommates?
Tremendous guilt wells up within me, however.
I brought it upon myself. It’s not the same as what happened with Carmen and Rosalie. They were victims. The Guardians protect them because they’re trying to bring down a human trafficking ring. That operation involves scores and scores of women. Women who were kidnapped against their will.
That’s not what’s happening with me. This is a mess I made.
I dress slowly, still processing what happened, and dread what comes next.
Time to come clean with my roommates. Time to learn how to stand up for myself. UC Davis may be a lost dream, after Scott’s done with me, but I can let that go if it means being free of him. I feel better knowing Zeb will be there for me every step of the way.
I won’t be alone.
THIRTEEN
Zeb
I’ve killed men before.Whether it was a double-tap with my weapon, or a knife to the throat, killing is an integral part of who I was as a frogman and who I am as a Guardian.
Each man I removed from this world deserved it. Vile men. Despicable humans. Scum of the earth. I’m going to kill Professor Scott Parker. He doesn’t deserve to breathe after what he did to Kaye.
Blood roars past my ears with furious rage burning through me.
Why do men feel the need to hurt those weaker than themselves? Women. Children. Innocents. It doesn’t make them stronger. It makes them pathetic weaklings.
I’ve felt the desire to kill before, but this is different. The drive to end Scott’s life is a twisted, nasty thing. Irrational and no longer human. I want him dead on a visceral level.
Kaye is a beautiful woman. Smart, funny, and full of life, I love the way her eyes sparkle like fireflies, and the way her smile spreads warmth to everyone around her.
But that is gone.
Kaye’s a shell of her former self. Her smiles no longer light up the room. Those firefly sparks are gone. Sad and vacant, her eyes are hooded. A shadow of her former self, she walks around listless and lethargic. The tiniest sound makes her jump.
Whatever happened with Scott terrified her, and I know why. The fucker gets off on asphyxiation: one of the more extreme forms of BDSM edge play. People can die from the practice, which is why those involved train to be safe, sane, and consensual.
But he’s not trained. It’s not consensual. He tied her up, then subjected her to strangulation against her will. He took from her. He violated not only her body, but her trust. He used threats against others, and her fear, to get her to allow the unthinkable.
It’s the last straw, and I can no longer stand on the sidelines. Scott is going to pay. Kaye’s under my protection until he does.
