Page 42 of Midnight Whispers

I must drift off, but I’m woken by shouting. I bolt up and look at room three. Cinder and a man are standing in front of the door, the man screaming at her.

What the fuck?

I bolt out of the car and run toward the room, seeing the sleazebag with his hand on Cinder’s arm, pushing her against the brick wall.

This motherfucker must have a death wish.

I plow him over, both of us falling to the ground, me on top of him. Cinder yelps, but all I can think of is making this guy pay for putting his hands on Cinder.

He fights, wiggling under me, but I throw a leg over and straddle him. My fists hit him over and over. He tries to get a punch in on me from below, but I dodge it.

“How dare you lay your filthy fucking hands on her.” I punch him in the face right where blood is already trickling down his cheek. He groans. “I ought to slice you open and rip out your insides, you piece of shit.” I hit him again, the crack of cartilage echoing in the darkness. Blood splatters all over me.

“Nero!” Cinder’s hands wrap around my bicep.

I look at her over my shoulder, and her eyes are wide and full of fear.

Fear of me?

You’d think I’d beat the shit out of myself from the worthless feeling inside me.

I look down at the asshole. He groans, holding his hand to his nose. He’s not fighting back anymore. My chest heaves, but I’m satisfied he’s not an immediate threat to Cinder. I get off him.

“Are you okay?” I clutch her shoulders, looking her up and down. She’s not bleeding, so that’s a good sign.

She nods, her eyes falling to the bastard, her face still stricken with fear.

“Is he your ex? Is that why you were trying to get me off him?”

Her gaze picks up, staring at me. “No. His kids are inside, and they’re scared.”

The boiling anger dissipates. Now the situation makes sense. She’s watching her friend’s kids, and this guy is obviously tied to her friend.

I turn back around and stand over him. “Get the hell out of here and don’t think of coming back. Understood?”

He glares at me, wincing when he touches his broken nose. “I should fucking sue you for breaking my nose.”

I scoff. “I’d like to see you try. Now get the fuck out of here and don’t come back.” I bend down and grab the front of his shirt, yanking him to his feet. “Go.”

I shove him toward the parking lot. He stumbles, looks as if he wants to say more, but wisely turns and staggers off toward an old pickup. It doesn’t turn over right away, but eventually the starter catches, and the engine roars to life. As he drives away, he flips us off, screaming something I can’t hear.

Now that he’s gone, I give Cinder my undivided attention. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

“Just shaken.” She turns and knocks on the motel room door. “Dahlia, it’s Cinder. Everything is okay now. Can you open the door?”

There’s no sound or movement from behind the door.

Her shoulders sag, then she looks at me with tears in her eyes and whispers, “They’re probably so scared.” She knocks again. “Dahlia, it’s okay. He’s gone, and everything is fine. Can you open the door please, sweetie?”

We wait for thirty seconds before we hear movement behind the cheap door, then the sound of a deadbolt turning, and the door cracks open an inch.

Cinder sighs in relief. “Are you and Rose okay?”

The door opens a little more, and a little girl with mousy brown hair stands there in her PJs. Her eyes widen when she spots me.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. This is my friend, Nero.” Cinder puts her hand on my arm.

I smile and hold up a hand in a wave, then crouch down to her height. “Hi, Dahlia. I’m one of Cinder’s good friends. Would it be okay if I came and hung out with you guys until your mom gets back?”

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