Page 65 of Infected By Virus

Time slowed, or at least her perception of it. Virus lowered the knife to Barker’s wrist. He started screaming before the first drop of blood welled up where the blade met skin.

“Shit, Virus.” The other man cursed as he squatted in front of Rae, and drew her upper body into his chest, smashing her face to him. “She doesn’t need to see that shit.”

Barker’s screams grew louder and louder, but they couldn’t drown out a more sickening sound. One that reminded her of parting a whole chicken. After that, his screams became whimpers.

A few seconds later, they started again, but died rather quickly. The only sound left was panting.

Lots of panting. From her, from behind the man holding her, they came from everywhere.

The next sound was Virus’s voice. Low but audible. “You’ll never touch anyone ever again, you sick fuck.” Then she heard him spit.

“Fuck.” A new voice came from behind her, followed by the sounds of boots striking the floor.

She could only see legs as they rushed past because the stranger held her so tightly against his chest she couldn’t turn her head.

“Fucking, Virus.”

That voice she recognized, Hook. Arms gripped her from behind and the man holding her stood with her. “Come on, Rae, let’s move, sweetheart.” The two of them lifted her up and backed out of the room.

She felt like she was abandoning Virus. “No. Virus. I can’t leave him.” But she was moved against her will. “No,” she shouted louder. “Let me go.”

“Sweetheart, we will. We’re not leaving your man, just moving you away from …” Hook’s voice trailed off before he let go, but the other man still held her aloft, chair and all. Only the toes of one foot grazed the floor. Hook bent down and cut the zip ties and tossed the remains of the chair away. The man holding her head finally set her on her feet and Hook turned her to him.

“Let’s get these off you, hmm?” He produced a handcuff key from God knows where and released her.

After rubbing her wrist, she turned and ran back to where Virus was. She slid to a halt when she spotted a heap that must’ve been Barker under a pile of yoga towels. Blood was everywhere. And one of Barker’s hands was … she gagged.

“Get her out of here,” Virus spat.

Hook dragged her back toward the front as Virus looked at her will such sadness it was a living, breathing thing in the room. He was covered in blood, as was everything. So much blood.

Hook stopped at Virus’s approach. He stood in front of her but didn’t reach for her. “Babe, go with Hook, please. I’ll be along soon, promise. I love you, Sunny.” With that, he nodded, and Hook was on the move again.

“I love you too,” she whispered as he disappeared from her sight.

“Take her to my place.” That was the last Virus said to her before there were other voices taking over.

“You go get cleaned up and meet Prez. I’ll call the crew and get this cleaned up.”

The voices faded as Hook escorted her out of the back door.

The ride to Virus’s place was a blur. Once inside, Hook set her on the couch and disappeared down the hall. A few minutes later, he came back.

“Go get in the tub, it always helps Nova after a rough day. I’ll wait out here until your man gets back. You’re safe.”

“Adam?” Obviously, Barker didn’t have him, but she needed reassurance that he was okay.

“He’s fine. My little Flower was teaching him how to make his own pancakes, well, Nova was, but she let her enjoy the illusion of head chef. They went to bed at nine and have been out ever since. And before you ask, Harmon is fine too. Outlaw hasn’t let her out of his sight.”

She finally took a deep breath for the first time since Virus had kissed her good night.

Standing, she placed a hand on Hook’s cheek and murmured her thanks before disappearing to the bath.

There was a lot to process for the night, but one thing she did know was she was done waiting, taking things slow and waiting to see if they were perfect before dipping a toe. No, waiting was what got her into every predicament she’d been in, so action was called for.

Waiting almost cost her everything … again. She knew in her heart that Barker would’ve killed her, and he wouldn’t have stopped there. He was going after Virus, and what better way to hurt him than Adam?

She wasn’t sad about Barker, but she was sad about the friend she thought he was. Then she remembered the cameras and any feelings other than disgust for him fled.

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