Page 61 of Centering Kaos

She stilled, and then turned to look at me. Then her eyes widened with terror as she looked toward the bushes. “Dylan!”

She dove for her boy while I kicked Matt’s gun well out of his reach.

The bastard’s gaze met mine, and he must have seen his death in my eyes, because he started scooting back and stammering about how his wife was responsible and if she’d only done what he told her to, this could have all been prevented.

At least, that’s what I imagined he said.

In reality, his lips moved, but I’d slipped into that space where sound was inconsequential. All that existed was red hot rage.

I roared.

Fucking roared.

It was the only response I could think of to get him to shut the fuck up. And he really needed to stop talking, because my restraint was in threads, and if he said one more derogatory thing about Tina, I was going to rip his motherfucking vocal cords out through his asshole.

Matt clamped his mouth closed. Eyes wide as saucers, he watched me.

Morse was screaming my name.

It snapped me out of whatever trance I’d been in. Realizing the phone was still in my hand, I held it to my ear. “I’m busy. I’ll have to get back to you.”

“You’re in the camera’s line of sight. I don’t care what the fuck you do to that piece of shit, but if you do it where there’s video evidence, Emily will lose her shit. Be smart. Drag his ass five feet toward the garage. There’s a blind spot there.”

It took a minute for Morse’s words to sink in, and when they finally did, I let out some deranged sounding cackle. God, it was good to have brothers who had my back.

Grabbing ahold of Matt by his fucking shirt, I dragged him five feet down the path and put the phone back up to my ear. “This good?”

“Yeah, brother. You’re clear. Have fun, but try not to kill him.”

The line went dead.

Tina was helping Dylan to his feet.

“Is he okay?” I asked.

She nodded, and I felt her relief down to my very soul. We could have lost him. The stupid fucking piece of shit lying at my feet had taken a shot at him. Tina’s face was swollen and the area around her eye was already starting to turn colors. She squeezed Dylan to her side, glaring at Matt.

I also felt her anger. It fueled mine, and if I didn’t let it out, I’d explode.

“Good. The Escalade’s unlocked. Go get in it and call the cops.”

Matt needed to be dealt with, but it wasn’t a thing I wanted either of them to see. Tina hesitated, no doubt worried about the consequences I’d face, but Dylan grabbed her hand and started walking toward the parking garage. I gave him a nod of approval, and he returned the gesture.

“That kid is more of a man then you’ll ever be,” I spat at Matt.

He started babbling again, throwing around accusations and calling Tina all sorts of messed-up shit. “You fuckin’ my slut now?” he shouted at me. “Like my sloppy seconds, do you?”

I waited until she and Dylan were out of sight, and then I shut his ass up with a quick jab to the collar bone.

Matt’s eyes widened in pain.

Pussy. It wasn’t even hard. Barely more than a love tap. I was just getting started. “Likethat, motherfucker?” I asked. “No. That’s right. You only like beating on people smaller than you. Bet you’ve never even raised your fist to a man before, have you? Well, come on now. Here’s your chance.” I stepped back, giving him time and room to get up.

Eyeing me, he started to stand, but changed his mind and took a cheap shot at my nuts instead. Thankfully, the bastard was slow, and I easily evaded his fist. I’d given him a chance to fight fair, and he’d gone for my nuts like a goddamn pussy. Pissed, I kicked him in the ribs.

Grunting, Matt writhed to the side.

“Unlike you, I derive no joy from kickin’ people when they’re down. Get your pathetic ass up before I fuckin’ make you.”

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