Page 60 of Outlaws of Tulsa

“I’m not going to kill you, PG.” His voice is soft. Warm. Protective. Fatherly. “I do what I do to keep you safe.”

Spoken like a true psychopath.

I’ve heard those same words before.

“I do what I do to keep you safe. To keep you mine.”

A new kind of fear snakes its way in and joins this one with Koyn. And because of that past fear, I cling to this one in front of me like it’s the safer of the two. I’m unhinged too. What twisted little girl clings to a monster?

“I’m scared,” I tell him, shaking so much my teeth chatter.

He slides his wet, bloody hands into my hair and tugs my head back. His dark eyes are shadowed with his back to the fire. It’s as though I’m staring into the eyes of a demon. He’s so warm and safe, though. Fuck, I’m losing it.

“Shh,” he murmurs, slicking my hair back from my face with Hammer’s blood. “I will keep you safe. Trust me.”

I almost laugh in his face.

I can’t believe I let this man fuck me.

I have to get the hell out of here. I’ll die trying and that’s okay as long as I don’t die like Hammer did.

“We’re going to walk into my house and enjoy our Thanksgiving,” he tells me. “And then, tomorrow, things will change for you, Genworth.”

I freeze, tears welling in my eyes. “Koyn…”

“It’s time for you to be quiet now, Nicolette.”

Cringing at the name, I tear my stare from his. My heart gallops in my chest. No. Fuck no. How does he know my name? Hammer didn’t tell him. Oh God.

“Please, Koyn,” I whisper.

“Close your mouth, beautiful. You’re not allowed to speak. Not right now. I’m in a mood to punish. We both know I shouldn’t punish when I’m furious. So keep that pretty mouth closed. It’s your turn to protect both of us.”

My lips tremble, but I press them closed, nodding rapidly as tears race down my cheeks. He kisses my forehead and then licks up my tears.

“Good girl.”

We walk into the house, hand in hand. I’m in shock. Frozen in fear. An animal strangling itself on the leash it’s tethered to. When I hear Stormy’s voice, I cower, hiding my face against Koyn’s blood splattered shirt.

“What did you do?” Stormy screeches. “Did you fucking hurt her?”

Filter snaps into action. “Not now, Stormy!”

Koyn tenses. Fuck, everyone does.

“What are you going to do about this, Jeremy?” she yells, her words directed at Copper. “Tell me what the fuck you’re going to do—”

Filter’s hand goes around her mouth and he drags her away, kicking and screaming. The men exchange a few uneasy looks.

“Want to tell me how the fuck she knows your name?” Koyn demands, his voice a low growl.

“Fuck if I know,” Copper snaps. “She’s nosy as fuck.”

“The plot thickens,” Dragon sings like he’s in a Broadway show.

“C-Can I t-take a s-shower?” I chatter out.

All eyes land on me.

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