Page 134 of Dean

“You need to leave me alone,” I say loudly and hold up the bar as he moves closer to me. “I’m serious. I’ll use this.”

“No you fucking won’t.”

“I will. Seriously. Just leave me alone.”

“And why should I? What are you going to do to me, pussy boy?”

He grins nastily at me, and I feel myself stand a little taller. All those years of being bullied…well, I learned a thing or two.

“You’re such an asshole, Nick. You need to leave before I call the cops. I’m going to get a restraining order.”

“You won’t do shit.”

“I don’t have your money. You know that. I do too. Linc does as well. Hell, he’s probably the one who stole it. Or one of the other shady people who came into the apartment.”

But he’s too high to think straight. His mind is not focused on logic or reason, it’s focused on me, on hurting me. He’s obsessed with me.

“You know what bothers me most about you?” He waggles his finger around and I knock it with the crowbar. It’s enough to hurt, but he doesn’t flinch, which means he’s on something strong. “You just won’t fucking die,” he murmurs.

I freeze, clutching the crowbar tighter when suddenly a car tears into the garage with a loud squeal. We’re not expecting anyone, which is probably why the guys aren’t here, so this is confusing as fuck.

Nick and I both turn to look at who is here and my heart skitters with relief when I see Bane step out, whistling off-tune and pulling a large box from the backseat.

“Oh, hello!” he says with a wide grin. “Oh, you look pretty today, Avery. Love the outfit. Very fun and bright.” His eyes swivel to Nick. “Oof, but not this guy though,” he says as he approaches me. “He looks…like he needs a little help with his wardrobe.”

I stare at Bane and then back at Nick, who is eyeing him.

“Who the fuck is this?” Nick slurs, and Bane sets the box down, using his foot to scoot it closer to me.

“Oh, hi, I’m Bane. You don’t have much going for you, do you? You don’t even have nice veins or nice eyes. Not even nice hair, if I’m being honest.”

“What the fuck?” Nick murmurs, but Bane ignores him.

“Anyhoo. You look upset. Are you upset, Avery?” Bane asks.

“I’m fine,” I reply, not wanting Bane involved. Or maybe I do. I just want Nick to go away and leave me alone. I want to live my life with Dean unbothered. “What are you here for?”

Bane claps his hands and waggles his eyebrows. “Oh! I brought some bones for the Boned Collector. Obviously, they’re not real bones, just props. Like I said. I don’t murder people. Often.”

He eyes Nick as I stare down at the box, seeing bones laid out neatly inside.

“All right. Thanks for these. I’ll make sure the guys get them,” I reply and then turn my gaze slightly to see where the fuck they’ve disappeared to. But the garage is so big, they’re nowhere to be found. Of course, if Dean knew Nick was here, he’d stop this. He’d probably blow a gasket and throw Nick out on his head, but he’s not here.

“Thank you. I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Where are they, by the way?” Bane asks.

“I don’t know.”

My grip tightens on the crowbar, and Bane eyes it.

Nick lets out a low, ugly laugh and I glower at him.

“Shut the hell up, Nick,” I say. “Just leave me alone. Seriously. I’ve given you enough warnings.”

“Oh, well, if you’ve given him enough warnings, you should hit him over the head with that,” Bane encourages. “Watch his head pop like a grape.”

My mouth opens and closes.

“I will. I’ll do that,” I try to say menacingly to Nick. But my hands start to shake, and Bane sighs, tsking.

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