Page 106 of Fractured Fear

Hours later, the windows are boarded up, evidence has been collected, and Spencer is tucked safely in her apartment with Hayes and Iris.

Asher is getting his ass chewed out by SSA Marreli, and he’s taking the verbal beating stoically. You would never know he’s ready to combust.

After he hangs up the phone he spits out, “Let’s get these fuckers. I’m tired of being attacked on all fronts. It’s like playing fucking wack-a-mole.”

“We can’t all go. Someone needs to stay with Spencer,” I point out.

“We all need to be there hunting down the shooters. We’re already hours behind,” Asher argues back.

“Talk to Hayes. I’m sure he’ll stay with her if we ask him,” Zane suggests.

“Es solo un niño. I don’t think he’s ever touched a gun.”

“He’ll be fine. I’ll talk to him,” Asher says firmly.

“Fine, but if anything happens to her I’m going to rip off your arm and beat you with it.”

Asher just smiles and we all turn to head upstairs. We’re met with the smell of carnitas, cilantro, and lime when we walk in. Iris stands at the stove while Hayes lingers nearby and Spencer sits on the couch staring blankly at the TV, which was still off.

I break off from Zane and Asher and go right to the person I want most. Gathering her in my arms I bring her to my lap and nuzzle her hair. Her jasmine scent soothes the Devil begging to tear someone limb from limb. It’s a temporary satisfaction, I know the Devil won’t be tamed until he’s tasted blood.

“Talk to me, Mama.” I whisper, my lips pressed against her head.

“He knows. He’s here,” she responds. Her skin is ghostly pale.

“Who?”

Instead of answering, she repeats herself, “He knows. He’s here.”

“Anthony?”

She nods.

“You’re safe. We’re here. We’ll take care of everything.” I assure her as I place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“You got hurt, Zane got hurt, and Lance—” she whimpers. Not once today has she mentioned her gallery being destroyed.

My heart warms at how much she cares. I only wish she cared about herself just as much.

“We’ve both had worse. I promise.”

She adorably scrunches her nose thinking through my implication. “That’s not comforting.”

Chuckling at her endearing disposition I tell her, “We have to go, Spence.”

She turns her gaze to me, full of curiosity and dread and asks, “Where?”

“We have to stop by the hospital for a checkup and get antibiotics. Zane already tore his stitches being a stubborn ass. I’m the lucky chauffeur and Asher was called into the field office.”

“Oh. Okay,” she nods to herself, piecing together an invisible puzzle I can’t see. “I’ll just see you tomorrow then.”

Her dismissal feels more like a way to get rid of me and not a sweet parting of promise.

My next move may be forward, but I don’t give a fuck. I reach into my pocket and pull out my keys. I removed one and hand it to her. “Here.”

She takes the single key and stares at it. “Uhh. Thanks?”

“Promise me something, Mama.”

---