Page 178 of Riordan's Revenge

Genevieve spoke first. “Of course you’re coming back. We want you there. You will always have a job.”

“Oh, hun, that isn’t up to us. Who’s going to buy a girl with a torn-up throat? I’ll move on. I have to.” Her gaze locked on to mine. “I heard talk that the killer was caught. Please. I need to know because my memory is shaky as hell.”

I swapped a glance with Genevieve, wishing I had any kind of bedside manner so I knew how to make her feel better. Slowly, I nodded. “I’ll tell ye everything, but let Genevieve brush out your hair and maybe plait it. Does that sound good?”

Dixie agreed, and in low tones, I told her about the suspicions after the capture of Bronson, the public’s celebration that the killings were over and the murderer caught, then my discovery of her after her attack. I glossed over the worst of the details. If she asked, I’d fill her in, but she seemed content not to hear it. She smiled at my sworn need for vengeance. At my explanation over Moniqua being the real killer, a small frown marred her pretty brow, but she nodded all the same.

“Moniqua’s dead now?”

I exhaled. “I killed her myself, and I made sure to name every woman she’d hurt as I did it. She went to her grave regretting the fact she’d ever touched a hair on your head.”

Dixie cupped my hand. “Badass.” She coughed, the sound wheezing. “Shit, that still hurts. I’m real sorry but I think I need more meds and they’ll send me to sleep. Do you think…could you come back another day?”

My heart hurt. “I’ll be back tomorrow as early as they’ll let me in. I’ll bring ye a nice dressing gown and some pretty pyjamas. Is there anything else you’d like?”

Dixie’s eyes watered again. For over a week, our friend had lived in pain and despair. I hated how she’d assumed we’d drop her.

“Maybe something to read? I probably look like shit, so a touch of blush?”

She coughed again and moaned at the pain. I hit the button to summon the nurse, and we left her with promises to return.

At the end of the corridor, Arran waited. Behind, Riordan stalked along, both having watched over us on our visit. Dixie wanted love and had only found misery. She’d been let down by the world and had expected that everyone who cared about her would leave because she now carried a scar. I wouldn’t. I’d do everything to bring my friend back.

“I’m going to offer her a job working for me,” I told Genevieve. “If she doesn’t want to go back to her old career, I’ll give her a new one.”

If Dixie accepted, my predator elimination program had its first employee, and I suspected she might enjoy the work as much as I intended to.

Back at the warehouse, Shade flagged me down. “Busy?”

“Nope. What have we got on?”

“A wee jaunt out to the boathouse.”

I rubbed my hands together, needing the emotional release. “I’m happy to assist.”

The enforcer grinned. “This one is all yours.”

“Who?”

“Roache.”

Shock stopped me in my tracks. “Piers Roache is still alive?”

“Just about. Do the man a favour and read him his rights then send him on his way, aye?”

I cackled. “Thank ye for saving him for me. This is going to be fun.”

Revenge for Riordan, for Everly, and for every other person hurt by bad men was going to be served, and I was just the girl for the job.

Epilogue

Dixie

Memory was a funny thing. My images of the night I was attacked were sketchy at best, mostly made of mental pictures Cassie had given me rather than anything real.

Probably a good thing, because remembering being doped up then cut by some bitch with a big-dick complex had the chance to drive me out of my tiny mind.

It…didn’t sit right either. Something felt off, though I couldn’t pinpoint what exactly. A shape. A figure. Harsh words I couldn’t place.

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