Page 29 of Behind the Shadows
“That’s no way to treat a lady, asshole.” I sneered as I introduced my fist to his nose. “Besides, I think Holland …” I paused, allowing him to wonder what I would do next. Timing was everything. “Asked you a question.”
Holland scrambled to her feet, clearly shaken. “It’s okay. I don’t need an answer, I think I already have it.” She smoothed her gray slacks and folded her arms across her chest.
“If you’ll excuse me.” I nodded at her as I forced Cooper out of Holland’s office and down the hall. Whether he realized it or not, he helped me cover up the fact that I’d been in Holland’s house last night because now she would wonder if it had been him. My cock twitched with the memory of fucking her with the cross.Down, boy.
Once we reached the exit door at the back of the building, I shoved him out, the bright afternoon sunshine temporarily blinding me. Cooper staggered forward until he went crashing to the unforgiving asphalt.
I knelt next to him and pulled on my necklace. The breakaway chain was strong enough to bear the weight of the weapon, but easy enough to pull away from my neck.
He barked out a laugh when he saw my crucifix. “Ohhh, are you going to pray for me now?” He held up his hands, pretending to shake with fear.
I smirked as I held the cross, then flipped out the knife blade from its hiding place. His laughter faded as he stared at the weapon.
“Nah. I don’t believe in God, but I do believe in the devil.” I brought the weapon to his cheek and sliced into his flesh enough to get my point across. “Stay away from Holland. I won’t tell you again.”
He gawked at me before he had the good sense to gulp. “Sorry, man. It was just a friendly visit. We’re old … we used to be in a relationship. You know how it goes.”
I did know. Holland was mine. I would kill any motherfucker who dared to argue with me or put their hands on her. Touch her? You die.
“Do we have an understanding, or do I need to explain myself more?”
“We’re good, man. Good luck though, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. She’s got a sweet pussy, but she’s a real bit?—”
Before he could finish his sentence, the blade slid from his cheek to the front of his throat. “Care to finish that?”
Sweat beaded across his forehead, and I stifled my laughter. I bet I could scare him so badly he’d piss his pants. I was so tempted, but I needed to return to Holland.
I stood slowly. “Get the fuck out of here. I don’t want to see you again.”
As he hesitated, my mind wouldn’t shut up. Two different men had gone after Holland in less than a week. That wasn’t coincidence. Trouble clung to her like perfume, and I needed to know why. What kind of woman drew this much danger? What the hell had she gotten herself into? My instincts screamed she was in deeper than she realized—and if I didn’t keep a close watch, she’d end up broken or worse.
Cooper’s attention never left me as he scrambled to his feet, then took off running down the alley.
I turned on my heel and hurried back into the building to find Holland. Even though Cooper had tucked tail and run, I wouldn’t put it past him to circle back around the building and grab Holland.
My footsteps echoed through the hall as I returned to her office. The door was only cracked a few inches, and I slowly opened it. I stared at the sight in front of me as my forehead met the barrel of her gun.
“I know it was you.” Her jaw clenched and her eyes widened as she glared straight through me.
Goddammit. She remembered me in her house that night. Maybe I could still play it off, use Cooper’s attack to misdirect her.
I raised my hands slowly. “Holland? It’s Kip. You’re safe. I took care of Cooper.”
She blinked several times before she gasped and lowered the gun.
“Kip. I’m sorry. I thought you were …” She stepped back, her legs trembling beneath her.
I closed the door behind me. “Let me get you some water. Sit down.” Slowly, in order not to spook her and end up with a bullet in my skull, I made my way to the mini fridge and opened it. Once I located a bottle of water, I twisted off the lid and held it out to her. “Here, drink this and take a minute. He clearly brought up some bad memories.”
Her cheeks flushed as she took the water from me and placed the cold bottle against her forehead.
“Thank you.” She sank onto the edge of the beige couch and took a few sips. She cleared her throat and attempted a smile. “Looks like my monster is becoming my savior.”
I arched my brow, amused. “Make no mistake. I’m no savior, but I despise a man who hits women. Has he hurt you in the past?” I kept my distance and my voice low, soothing. I’d dealt with a lot of abused women in the past, and the last thing I wanted was to scare Holland.
“No. He’s different. He fed on intimidation and fear, but he never …” She frowned and shook her head. “In my line of work, I understand the patterns and lies women in an abusive situation tell themselves. It’s about survival. The number of women that leave, then are hunted down and killed like animals, is staggering. Cooper has an anger problem, but his behavior today was on a new level.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, looking up at me. “Honestly, he's not the one I’m scared of.”
“What do you mean?” I was afraid to hope that I might finally get some answers about why she’d changed her name and how the fuck she was sitting in front of me. But I had to pace myself.
