Page 28 of Dragon Strife
“It was just the one guy?” I ask and wince when she closes her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” I nod and take the few steps separating us, pulling her into my chest. “So let's pack that suitcase and hit up the bank on our way out of town.”
She snickers and buries her face in my shirt, her hands fisting the material at my waist. “I could’ve forgiven him if he took the position from me after Dad died,” she whispers against my chest. “But I can’t forgive him for handing me over to you guys.”
“Neither can I,” I reassure her. “Jaeger has a date with the barrel of my gun, and if I’m feeling nice, I’ll lube it up with his blood before I fuck him with it.”
She chuckles again and lifts her head to look up at me, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. With a single look, this woman can bring me to my knees. She doesn’t understand the power she holds over me, and sometimes it freaks me out with how potent it is. I often find myself at the end of my own ire for my part in taking her from her home and leaving her in that van without a second thought.
“Don’t do that,” she cuts into my thoughts as her hands cup my face. “I can see you blaming yourself. Is that why you’re so set on keeping me from the compound? You’re afraid something bad will happen again?”
“This time I can’t even blame it on orders,” I snap at her as I gently push her away. “I’ll have an active part in whatever happens to you, and, Slayer,”—I narrow my eyes at her—“you could be shot in the head before even walking in the door.”
“I know he’s barbaric, this Barrett, but I don’t think he’ll kill me. If that was the case, he would’ve done it at my house that night. No, he has plans for me and I’ll need to be alive for them.” She grins as if she’s figured it all out, the sight making me want to shake some sense into her.
“Those are the moments when he’s feeling clearheaded, but those are becoming fewer by the day, and his random outbursts usually end in violence.” I’m trying to tell her the truth, hoping she sees reason. When my words have no effect on the determination I see in her eyes, I roll mine and ask, “How did it go with my brother?”
“Now you want to discuss it? After ignoring me all night?” She gives me another grin and shakes her head.
“Every time I get sulky like that, a blow job usually perks me right back up. Just an FYI.” I laugh as she looks at me with a raised brow. “I could use a little perking up now—”
“Malik,” she warns with an exasperated tone. “I’m not dropping to my knees every time you’re in a mood.”
“Fine, I’ll just bend you over the bench there.” I motion to the weight bench, still dimpled from her hands. “But not right now because I bet those shorts are filled with Montez’s cum, huh?”
“Your brother wanted to warn me about the dangers of Hell’s March and you. He also wanted to know about what happened the night I was taken. I think he’s doubting Jaeger’s story, whatever that may be.” She sits on the bench and scrubs a hand down her face, ignoring my jab about the cum. “I think there are a few cracks in the Dragons’ compound. We could use that to our advantage? Right?”
“Yeah,” I agree as I sit back down on the stairs. “Let’s come up with a plan for Hell’s March and how we’ll utilize them in a fight against the Steel Dragons.” I sound defeated and in a way I am. The thought of her walking into that place makes me want to fold her up in a suitcase and drive her the fuck out of this town, but I can’t take the risk that she’ll go behind my back to get the job done.
“We leave in a few hours,” she says as I nearly fall off the stairs.
“What?!” I scream and stand just as the basement door opens.
“You guys need anything? I’m heading out to do some errands!” Delia calls down as Slayer stares me in the eyes, a slight challenge lighting her dark blues on fire.
“Yes, please!” she yells back. “More of those pastry thingies!”
“Sounds good!” Delia replies and shuts the door.
“You’re going there today?” I clench my fists and try to breathe.
“Don’t you wish you didn’t ignore me all night now?” she coos as she comes to stand in front of me. “We would’ve had all night to come up with whatever little plan you had. Now, you’ll just have to trust mine instead.”
I step out of my room in my ripped jeans and a tank top with my leather jacket over top. I wanted to wear the cut, but Diego said that would be the same as begging to be killed on the spot since I’m not a sworn-in member.
“Do I look like a weak girl?” I spin on the spot while Diego whistles from his perch on the couch.
“Yes,” Malik grumbles from his corner of the room as he leans against the wall. He’s been pissy for the last few hours.
“Shut up, Malik,” Diego growls out and then stands. “You know we need to get this over with, and you and I can protect her.”
“You’re a child if you think whatever you’re dressed in depicts your strength,” Malik snaps as he shoves off the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “You should know clothes have nothing to fucking do with it.”
“Charles!” Diego yells, but I hold up my hand to stop the fight I feel brewing because of Malik’s attitude.
“You’re right.” I wink and then step toward him. “My clothes don’t make me any stronger than what I already am, but they do give me the confidence I need to get through this. You’re acting like I want to do this, when in reality I have to.”
