Page 126 of Dozer

Crumbling under the pain, his knees buckled.

“Not yet, you sick fucker.” I drove my knee into his throat.

Anatomy wheezed for breath. He toppled onto his side, and I kicked his ribs.

Motorcycles rumbled into the yard, and headlights cut through the darkness outside. But I couldn’t stop. Anatomy gurgled on blood, spit, and mucus. Bloody spit splattered his face as he coughed and gagged.

Footfalls raced up the stairs.

“Dozer!”

Strong arms ripped me away from Anatomy.

“Enough!” Rogue’s harsh voice cut through the delirium of my rage.

“Nowhere near enough. Not until I break every fucking bone in his body.”

Rogue crushed me in his arms. Anatomy whimpered and curled into a ball on the floor.

“Don’t kill him…not yet. We’re not done with him.” Rogue rolled him over with his boot and bent over. His menacing voice sent a shiver down my spine. “We’re going to need you to write one more note first,” he said to Anatomy.

More heavy feet hit the porch. The screen swung open. Vance and Gabi rushed into the cabin with Blade and Hana.

Gabi’s gasp echoed in the room. She carefully slipped the gag from Pippa’s mouth. Then she loosened the belt. The leather strap slipped free.

She sucked in a breath.

“Dozer,” my name was a whisper on Pippa’s breath. Fear morphed her face as she backed away from Gabi, shielding her naked body with her bound arms blocking her chest, and her knees tucked close. Her eyes focused on me.

I rushed toward her.

Hana sat on the edge of the mattress. Tears drenched her cheeks as she whispered to Pippa. “Can we help?”

Blood seeped around her mouth from the abrasive rubbing of the gag. Pippa groaned. Hana tried to cover her with a blanket. She lurched away from the blanket as if were a shroud of death. It had been. For the last fourteen hours of torture.

“We’re here.” Gabi reached out, but Pippa flinched. “Let us help you.”

Pippa didn’t speak. I knelt in front of her. I shrugged off my cut, handed Hana my gun, and ripped off my T-shirt. Her gaze devoured me as I slipped my shirt over her head. She gingerly slipped her arms through the sleeves.

Gabi touched Hana’s arm. “Come on.” They scooted from the mattress. Once they’d given Pippa a little distance, tears filled her eyes.

She crawled into my lap and curled into my bare chest. Her body trembled as I pulled her close.

I sat on the floor with her in my arms. I’d failed her. I tucked her close, and a savage cry of anguish rushed from my lungs. I roared to the rafters. Violent trembles overtook me.

I fisted my hands in her hair. “I’m here.”

She clung to me, her body bruised and violated. Blood crusted on her face, and tears slipped from her swollen eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I said, clutching her tighter. “So fucking sorry. I should have been there, should have protected you.”

“Not your fault,” she whispered, her voice a raspy, hollow murmur.

I kissed her temple, tenderly cradling her close. “Fuck, I thought I lost you.”

“I screamed.” She spoke so quietly I strained to hear her over the commotion with Rogue, Blade, and the man moaning in pain.

Her gaze lifted to mine. “I didn’t freeze this time. I fought.” A river of tears continued to wet her face. “I tried to get away.”

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