Page 66 of Sinner

I was certain I was going to pass out.

My ears were ringing, my vision blurred from the brutal strike, but there was no mistaking the intense growl I heard coming from behind Dorn.

“That was a big mistake, asshole. Now you’re going to pay the price.”

The savage thuds came fast and furious, grunting turning into strangled sounds. I was terrified, scrambling to get off the hard concrete, but my body wasn’t cooperating.

“You jerk,” Dorn huffed and I notice a blur, realizing the fucking asshole had launched his body forward. Another crack and I heard a laugh.

“You’re pathetic. I knew all along you were a fucking violent man. Time to pay for your sins.”

Xander? Blinking, I tried to focus. Everything was still blurry, but I was certain Dorn was tossed over a car, his moans becoming more intense. Then I heard footsteps and realized someone was crouching down in front of me. With a gentle touch, he lifted my chin, peering into my eyes.

I blinked again and was able to focus this time. Xander’s mesmerizing green eyes stared back at me. “Are you okay?”

“I will be.” My mind was fuzzy from the realization as much as the pain.

“Just stay right here and let me deal with this asshole. Everything is going to be alright. Neither he nor anyone else will ever be able to hurt you again.”

I took a strange comfort in hearing his words. After taking a deep breath, I offered a slight smile. While I might hate the man, he’d gone out of his way to save me. Suddenly, Dorn appeared just behind Xander and I issued a strangled cry, able to point toward the asshole.

Xander reacted instantly, jerking up and spinning. I’d seen men in a fistfight before, but the brutal pummeling he was giving Dorn was like nothing I’d ever seen before. One punch was thrown after another, Dorn’s body becoming limper with every passing second. He appeared like a rag doll, his arms and legs flailing.

“You will never do this to a woman again. Do you fucking hear me?” Xander roared.

Dorn winced, crying out in sheer agony.

A part of me wanted to beg Xander to stop, but the greater part, the one that wanted to be throwing the punches myself was ready to egg him on. I fought to stand, my legs still wobbly, but I managed to do so by using my hands and pushing them against my car. Once I was standing, I was even more lightheaded than before.

I heard a snap followed by a horrible cracking sound.

Then a hard thud as if a body was dropped.

My God. Had he killed the man?

Panting, I scanned the garage. Was I hoping for help to arrive or wishing everyone would stay away?

Xander growled and I was certain he was pacing the garage. He was turned away from me, but I heard his low voice, yet I was certain he was talking to someone. Maybe on the phone. I took a few steps and had to grab the side mirror of another car to remain steady.

I was angry, enough so I wanted nothing more than to tell Dorn what he could do with his fucking self. And I was going to tell him I was pressing charges. I didn’t care who he was.

When I struggled but managed to round the back of a car, I could see Dorn lying on the concrete. His chest was heaving so he was alive, but his face was bloody, the sticky substance also splattered on his crisp white shirt.

Xander stiffened and turned, tilting his head to the side. I think he was starting to admonish my interference when my legs gave out from underneath me and I fell to the floor.

Suddenly, there was nothing but blackness and…

A flutter of air, a whispered kiss, a moment of floating.

Warmth.

Comfort.

“Ahh!” Gasping, I jerked up, trying to focus immediately. The ugly memories rushed back, the fear almost crippling.

Had the bastard won? Was I in Sinner’s clutches? Flashes of light. And… music.

I blinked several times until I realized I was in a vehicle of some kind, businesses flashing on the right side, darkness spilling out in front of me as if I was headed into an abyss. I slowly turned my head, my vision still somewhat hazy.

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