Page 74 of What I Should Have Done

A wicked smile slid across Mikey’s face. It sent a chill down my spine. “And I’m about to do mine.” Mikey barreled across the room, hurdling over the table in one easy motion. Without hesitation, he grabbed Merlin’s collar, hoisted him off of his feet, and jabbed the knife into his junk.

Releasing him, Merlin let out a high squeal as all of his weight came crashing down onto the knife impaled into the wall. With one more shift in his stance, Mikey withdrew a second knife and sliced Merlin’s skewered nuts and dick clean off of his body.

Heaving once, his shoulders sagged, and Mikey turned away with a sigh, the red blaze in his eyes slowly fading.

“Don’t walk away from me!” Merlin shrieked, his voice high pitched. Suddenly, vomit expelled from his mouth as he collapsed forward. His junk remained on the wall as he crashed to the ground, writhing in pain.

“Mikey,” I whispered, realizing I just wanted all of this over.

Revenge had felt good for a moment, but now, I simply wanted Mikey to hold me without the sounds of a man convulsing in agony to ruin things.

Mikey studied me for a moment and then he nodded, his eyes still blazing with a fire of rage. Stooping to the floor, he grabbed the man by his jaw and jerked.

Dead.

Merlin’s lifeless body twitched a couple more times and then fell still in a pool of his own blood and vomit.

“Mikey,” I cried out quietly again.

His entire rage-filled frame softened and he rushed toward me. Tears filled my eyes, blurring him from sight as he quickly removed my shackles and dressed me back into my underwear and pants without a single accidental brush against my skin.

The moment I could, I rolled free from the table and crashed into his chest. Balling my arms up in front of me, I pressed tightly into him.

“Hey, Scotch,” he tenderly said. His entire body shook, his steel frame trembling as he wrapped his arms around me, cocooning me back into a world that held no pain or turmoil.

“I was so scared,” I whispered. I didn’t even know why I told him, that only made me look weak. But I couldn’t help it.

He didn’t say anything. Instead, he simply tightened his hold on me and threaded his fingers through my hair. Familiar warmth flooded my senses. My heart knew that for this moment, there was no chaos, no more fear.

There was simply Mikey.

“I bit his dick,” I muttered.

“Doesn’t surprise me,” he gently replied.

“He wasn’t able to do anything,” I explained. Knowing Mikey, he wouldn’t ask. But he would listen. And it felt so nice to be able to tell someone else that nothing actually happened. That I fought like hell and won.

“This is Scottie Aleck we are talking about. Unless she wants something to happen, it never will.” His chin pressed against the top of my head and silent tears flooded my cheeks again. I buried my face tighter into his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his steady breaths.

“You came and found me.”

“I’d burn the world to find you, Scotch,” he replied. My skin tingled. Comfort and strength ripped hot through my veins. Tipping my head back, I gazed up at him. Eyes that still held so much pain, yet a hint of serenity, sparkled down at me.

“I’m so sorry about Thompson,” I muttered, a wave of reality hitting me.

His brows creased, strain pulling his face tight. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“I know, but…”

“But no, Scottie. We’re not doing that.” His hands slid to cup my cheeks, calloused thumbs swept the tear stain away from my skin.

“Okay,” I whispered, sinking into his touch.

“Okay,” he muttered back. I closed my eyes.

“Kiss me,” I quietly urged.

And satin pressed gently against my forehead.

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