Page 45 of Klutch's Kryptonite

He grunts when my body slams into him. I tighten my arms around his neck and squeeze. He grunts, throwing an elbow back and catching me in the ribs.

“Ah!” I cry out, dropping to the floor as pain explodes in my side.

Kenny keeps fighting like a wildcat, kicking and scratching at Johnny who’s trying to restrain her. “Let me go, you piece of?—”

Suddenly McKenna goes quiet and her body drops to the floor.

“No!” I scream, eyes stuck on Frankie standing over her with a pistol in his hand.

I get to my feet and stagger towards her. Johnny’s hand shoots out, latching onto my arm before I can get to her.

“He’ll kill you!,” I yell, twisting and kicking, my foot connecting with something hard. “He’ll kill you both!”

Johnny swears when my foot lands a solid kick against his shin. “You bitch.” His meaty hand is coming at my face before I can dodge it.

BAM.

Fire licks across my cheek and stars explode in my vision. I swipe my tongue over my lip, tasting blood.

“I was hoping you’d be more cooperative,” Frankie sighs, stepping over Kenny’s motionless form. “But this works too.”

Johnny yanks me against his chest, his breath hot and rancid. I struggle harder. “No!”

“I love when they scream.” Johnny’s eyes are void of any emotion as he grabs hold of the collar of my shirt and yanks. The fabric rips, exposing my shoulder and part of my bra.

“No,” I beg. “Don’t do this.” Tears spill down my cheeks. This can’t be happening. Klutch tried to warn me it wasn’t safe and I didn’t listen.

Frankie laughs. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. It won’t hurt… Much.”

Johnny’s hand starts to move up my stomach toward my chest, and I feel bile rise in my throat. I kick back wildly,somehow connecting with his groin. His grip loosens enough for me to wrench away.

I crash to the floor, scrambling backward on my hands and knees.

“You’ll pay for that.” Johnny’s face is twisted with rage. He moves lighting fast and grabs me by my shirt, lifts his fist, and lets it fly.

Pain like I’ve never felt before explodes in my head.

I'm so stunned by the strike to my temple that I don’t notice the sound of the front door opening or the energy in the room shifting to something dark and murderous.

Chapter Thirteen

Klutch

An Hour Earlier

The smell of motor oil hangs in the air as I slide underneath the Camaro I’m tuning up. My hands work on autopilot, loosening the bolts on the oil pan while my mind wanders to Demi. Last night she fell asleep curled against my chest. This thing between us isn’t something I’ve had before and I’m not sure what to do with it if I’m being honest. I never expected to feel this way about any woman, yet here I am. All I know is she’s mine and it’s going to stay that way.

“Yo, Klutch!” Yukon’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Hand me that 15mm, would you?”

I grab hold of the socket wrench on the ground beside me and pass it over to him.“Here.”

“Thanks, brother.”

I finish draining the oil and roll out from under the car, wiping my hands on a shop rag. Sanchez Auto Repair is busy today, which is good for business but means I haven’t had achance to check in with Demi. My dad’s usually the one running this place, but he’s at some meeting with Denali. He took off out of here this morning, leaving me and Yukon to handle things.

“How’s that Mustang coming?” I ask, nodding toward the car Yukon’s been working on.

He grins, his white teeth flashing against his dark skin. “Just finishing up. Lady who owns it is fine as fuck, too. Came in wearing a skirt that barely covers her ass.”

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