Page 199 of My Ruthless Husband

“Say it,” I say with a dangerously soft tone. “Say that you understand.”

His face twists, and he finally mutters, “Fine. Whatever, I understand.”

I release his wrist, watching as he stumbles back, cradling his arm and glaring at me. “You’re gonna regret this,” he spits before he turns and stalks off, his friends trailing after him, shooting me nervous glances over their shoulders.

The moment they’re gone, I feel my hands unclench, the tension draining out of me. I glance over at Raleigh and Summer, who are both staring at me with wide, awestruck eyes.

“You okay?” I ask, my voice softer now.

Raleigh nods, swallowing hard, and Summer blinks up at me with awe. A wobbly smile breaking on her face. “Thank you, Damian.”

A few days later, I find Caleb at it again. He and his friends have Raleigh pinned down, half-dragging him toward the small inflatable pool, his screams and struggling doing nothing to deter them. His arms flail, his small fists connecting weakly withone of Caleb’s buddies, but the older boys just laugh, mocking his desperate attempts to break free.

“Why are you even fighting, Raleigh?” Caleb sneers, shoving Raleigh’s head closer to the water, his intention to drown him clear. “Your mama didn’t want you, so she abandoned you and then the last family dumped you like garbage. I’m doing you a favor!”

He tries to twist away, but Caleb just pushes his head even closer to the water.

“Leave him alone!” Summer screams between sobs. She is surrounded by two other boys. One of them grabs her shoulder, pulling her close enough that she stumbles, her eyes darting around for any escape. She hugs her small body tighter, trying to back away, but they move with her, not letting her go. “Aw, come on, don’t be shy,” one of the boys leers, smirking as he leans in close. “What, you don’t like us?”

“Look at her, she’s terrified,” another chimes in, chuckling. “Guess she misses her mommy to come and hold her hand.”

A dark fury builds inside me, coiling tight, hot and vicious, spreading through every muscle. The kind of rage that blurs everything but the need to make them pay. My fists itch to crush, to shatter something, anything.

I stride forward, my steps purposeful, the pounding of my heart in sync with the thunder in my chest.

I won’t let this go. Not this time. They’ve crossed the line, and I’m done holding back.

The boys harassing Summer spot me first. These boys are new. Not the one I scared off last time. I move toward Caleb first as he’s shoving Raleigh’s head in the water. But one of them blocks my path. “I don’t think so,” he says, shoving me back.

I move fast, slamming my fist into his gut, making him double over with a grunt. I don’t wait, swinging again and knocking him to the ground. The other move in, and a fist connects withmy face, splitting my lip, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.

I wipe the blood away with the back of my hand, eyes locked onto the bastard who hit me. I can feel the anger rising and I let it consume me.

As he winds up to punch me again, I’m already ready. I slap his fist aside with a swift motion, and before he can react, I bring my forehead crashing into his face. The sickening crack of bone hitting bone reverberates through me, and his eyes go wide with shock.

He stumbles back, dazed, but I’m not finished. My fist flies next, a brutal, unforgiving blow that connects with his jaw in a sharp, satisfying crunch. His legs give out as he crumples on the ground.

Caleb shoves Raleigh aside, eyes wide, ready to sprint as I stride in his direction.

I grab the collar of Caleb’s shirt, yanking him forward so hard the fabric digs into his neck. His breath hitches, eyes wide with surprise.

“What did I tell you, hmm?”

Before he can answer, my fist connects with his stomach, hard, knocking the wind out of him. He doubles over, gasping for air, but I don’t give him a second to recover. I shove him upright and deliver another blow to his ribs, just under his arm—where the bruises won’t show. I make sure each punch lands where it won’t leave visible marks.

He stumbles back, eyes watering but I’m already, throwing another punch, this one harder, faster. He crashes into the dirt, groaning, but I don’t stop.

I straddle him, gripping his collar, lifting his head just to slam it back down against the ground.

When his eyes become unfocused, I reckon he’s close to passing out. I jerk his collar again, to get his attention. “If I eversee you near Summer or Raleigh again, if you so much as look at them wrong…” I let the threat hang in the air, my voice cold and dangerous.

I shove him away and push to my feet.

My breath comes out in heavy, angry bursts. His friends have already bolted, running off like the cowards they are while Caleb fights to sit up.

I ignore him, turning away and kneeling beside Raleigh and Summer, my heart hammering in my chest as the adrenaline starts to ebb. They’re both shaken—Raleigh’s face pale. Summer is trembling.

“Are you both alright?” I ask, as I reach out to gently check them over. My hands move over them. I know the damage isn’t bad, but their fear, that’s what cuts the deepest.

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