Page 87 of His to Protect

“You’re nothing without me,” he said and began walking toward me again. “And if you won’t come with me willingly, then I’ll have to convince you.”

Without warning, he pointed the gun down and I jumped as a loud bang echoed in the alley.

“What the hell!” I asked as I watched Boomer fall to the ground. His whine pierced me and tore my heart in two. “No!” I dropped to my knees, wrapping my arms around my dog, and tried to lift him, but he was too slippery.

Why was he slippery?

I clung to Boomer, understanding but not admitting what I knew had just happened.

He’d shot my dog.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I sobbed, pulling at Boomer, but he was so heavy. And wet.

“Enough!” Kevin shouted, and yanked me to my feet.

“You shot my dog!” I screamed, and then I felt the brick wall hit the back of my head as he slammed me against it. “You’re a fucking monster, Kevin, and I hate you!”

“I said enough!” His spittle hit my cheeks, and I squeezed my eyes closed.

I couldn’t believe this.

My eyes went to Boomer but Kevin was squeezing my throat, making it difficult to breathe. “I told you to never leave me, Katrina. I warned you what would happen, and your damn dog on the pavement there is only the first thing that’s going to happen. Now quit fucking around. We’re going home. You have apologizing that you need to do.”

My lips twisted and I cringed back against the wall. That small movement allowed me time to draw in a breath. “Never. You’ll have to kill me first.”

I barely got the sentence out before metal was pressed against my temple.

My eyes widened and I clenched my hands into fists.

Amazing, really. My life began just weeks ago in that alley, and at that moment, I felt as if it could end there.

“Tell me, Katrina.” Kevin leaned forward, so close I could smell his breath and his cologne. “Have you enjoyed yourself, whoring around and fucking a man who owns a sleazy joint like this damn local bar? Is that the kind of woman you’ve become? A slut who spreads her legs for any willing man?”

“Yes,” I said, seething. I had nothing to lose. Blood rushed to my brain and my temples pulsed, but I refused to back down. “I like fucking him, Kevin, because it’s good. Best I’ve ever had. He doesn’t take what he wants, but he gives me what I need and—”

“Shut the hell up, you lying fucking whore!”

“What the—”

Kevin and I snapped our heads toward the intrusion and my eyes almost bugged out of my head.

“Go inside!” I shouted at Declan even as he opened the door further.

It took him a half second to take in the situation in front of him and his gaze fixed on me.

“Get out here,” Kevin said, taking the gun off my temple and waving it at Declan, who still stood in the doorway. “Now.”

Declan’s eyes dropped to where Boomer was lying on the ground. I saw him flinch before he obeyed Kevin and stepped into the alley.

“Don’t do it—” Kevin’s hand tightened on my throat, cutting off the end of my sentence.

Tears blurred my vision as Declan brought his eyes back to me.

“You hurt?” he asked, stepping into the alley and letting the door close behind him. He lifted his hands and took several steps away from us.

Away from me.

Away from the crazy guy with the gun. Not that I could blame him, but somehow it stung.

---