Page 73 of Little Bird

She had put Wren’s life in fucking danger.

She could’ve died in that fire.

I could’ve lost her.

The dark recesses inside my head, the ones that housed the monster of my rage began to stir. My vision started to blackout, and I had to blink to get it back.

“Don’t kill me, Bane,” Syn begged. “Please. I’m sorry.”

I ground the barrel in a little harder, shouting, “You tried tokillher!”

Tears sprang in her eyes, and she said, “I just wanted you to look at me like you look at her. I want you to love me like you love her.”

I let the monster come out a little more, inviting it closer with a crooked finger. That oily malevolence filled my veins, stripping the humanity from me and leaving only instincts. And my instincts were telling me to put a fucking bullet in the brain of this woman. She was a threat. She had proved that. Syn tried to fight me off, but I dug my fingers into her arm, shaking her a little to get her to focus.

“What else have you done, Syn?” I asked. “And don’t even think about lying to me.”

Sweat beaded on her brow, and she swiped her tongue over her lips. “Please. I want you.”

“What. Did. You. Do!” I shook her again, knocking the words I needed to hear from her out in a tumble.

“Room number four was our room,” she hissed, the tears already drying on her cheeks. “Ours. Nobody else should be able to use it.”

“You mugged Veronica?”

The smile that pulled up her mouth was venomous. “Is that the little bitch’s name? Yeah, I stole it from her. I needed a way to get in here.”

Fuck. JesusfuckingChrist, this woman was unhinged.

“Boss, I got that phone for—”

The words died on Dagger’s tongue when he saw the scene in front of him. Dropping the bag he was carrying, he pulled out his Glock and held it level with Syndy’s head, coming at her from the other side. I guessed my man had a little problem with the woman who sliced open his thigh too.

Her breathing kicked up another notch, the pending violence thickening the air and feeding my monster.

“She set the fire at Wren’s apartment. She’s also the one who mugged Veronica and stole her access card.”

Dagger slid his finger off the guard and onto the trigger. “Want me to get rid of her?”

“Please!” she begged, all the color draining from her face. “I just wanted you to see that we are meant to be together.”

“Not here,” I replied. “Take her somewhere nobody willeverfind her.” Flipping the safety back into position, I placed my gun back into the desk drawer and sat.

“Please. No.Please!” Syn begged as Dagger removed her from the room.

“Shut her up. We don’t need people hearing her scream.”

With a determined nod, he brought the butt of the gun down on her temple and knocked her the fuck out. When they were gone from my office, I started to pace. My body was being battered by a thousand thoughts of revenge. I balled my hands into fists before releasing them, flexing my fingers.

Fuck, I was strung so tight right now.

She had almost killed my Little Bird.

The need to see her, to know she was all right was like a sledgehammer to my chest. My heart was actually racing as I snatched up my phone and called Mrs. Bellinger’s number.

“Mr. Rivera?” she answered.

“Put Wren on.” There was a muffled thump, then Wren’s voice came over the line.

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