Page 3 of Frayed Owner

“Where are they?” I asked, pushing to stand.

“Her condo.”

I turned to Taylor. “You ready?”

He sighed. Heavily. “You know this could be—”

“Yeah, so?” I snorted when he couldn’t hide his shock. “I made a promise, Taylor. I take them seriously. I told her I would come. I’m going. Are you helping or are you going to get me yelled at later?”

He pulled out the gun he’d just holstered. “Yeah, I’m coming.” He rolled his eyes and turned away before mumbling under his breath that I was a smartass.

“I’m coming as well,” Councilman Oliveria said, shocking all of us. He seemed to shrug but also to have something up his sleeve.

So be it.

He could also circle us right where we needed to go instead of going through hoops since he was with the council. Awesome.

I rinsed my mouth out once more and then jumped in the circle. Jasmine was staying home to get filled in and handle anything else—make sure my father didn’t just come back with more people or a new warrant? Adulting stuffs.

The circle took my breath away, but then we were in the hallway and Taylor confirmed the unit number before Councilman Oliveria used magic to break in the door. Taylor grabbed me by the neck of my shirt and yanked me back so I didn’t go in first and ducked inside.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Alex bellowed. “Is this who you called?”

I pushed someone’s hand off me to hold me back and went right inside. Rage filled me when I saw Clare with blood on her face and sweater. “She called me.”

Alex’s eyes filled with a giddy sickness. “Well, at least she was useful today, and you’re fucking stupid to step outside of Morrigan.” He moved towards me but froze when Taylor warned him not to move.

I, however, went right for him. I punched him with all I had—something I’d wanted to do for more years than was probably healthy. I was thrilled when it looked like it hurt even if he didn’t go down.

Then my eyes went wide. I held my wrist and bent over. “Owwwww!Why didn’t anyone warn me that actually fucking hurts? Holy shit man!”

“You fucking pathetic little weak—how dare you strike me?” Alex snarled and reached for me.

I kicked him in the groin as hard as I could. “Okay, that doesn’t hurt and is way more satisfying.”

“You are seriously my favorite contract ever,” one of Taylor’s guys cracked. “Don’t even think about it, stupid.”

I was hurt but then realized he was talking about the Shaw guards who were over their shock and about to make a move. “Clare, did you call me? You have to say it and file charges.”

“Don’t you even think about it,” Alex groaned. “Don’t be stupid, Clare. You’re already in enough trouble to—”

I moved closer and grabbed his hair, ripping some as I pulled him up so we were face-to-face. “Youare the one in trouble, asshole. You saw me and thought you still had a chance at me. You’re a fucking moron because I’m more powerful. You wouldn’twinthat battle.” I smiled evilly at him. “But how about I take your power, Alex? Since it’s fair game and—”

“You don’t have it in you,” he spat at me, pulling back his arm like he was going to hit me.

“Restrain,” I said easily, smirking when he couldn’t move.

“You don’t know how—”

“Oh, I know how,” I chuckled darkly, nodding when fear filled his eyes. “I’ve known the ritual backwards and forwards since I wassevenand I understood what I had to do to protect myself from you fucking monsters if you ever realized I had magic.” I had flashes of all the times he’d abused me and shoved him to the ground before I did something over the line.

“You’re bluffing,” he sneered.

“I don’t bluff,” I told him firmly. “And I absolutely have it in me to kill you after all of the times you beat the shit out of me. After all the wounds and abuse you inflicted on me.” I squatted down in front of him and let him see the truth in my eyes. “I wouldloveto make you suffer as painfully as possible. I don’t do it because I don’t want yourevilin me, Alex. See the truth.”

I was pretty sure he did, but he probably was too sexist to believe it. Fine, fuck him. I felt better saying it and confronting him.

I stood and looked at Clare. “You have to be strong and say it. You can drop charges later, but you know…” I let out a slow breath. “You know, Clare.”

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