Page 79 of Wretched Soul
“Two, I think,” he squeaks.
I flick off the safety on the gun.
“Four,” Toby tries again. He swallows. “And another couple of times where I couldn’t get them to move. It’s why I started using less. So, six attempts all together.”
As I continue to stare, I think about what my older brothers would do in this situation. We’ve all taken lives to protect our own. Would they let this piece of shit live?
“And then… then there’s tonight,” Toby says helpfully. He’d assumed I was waiting for more confessions. “Lily makes it seven.”
“Oh, shit,” Simon mutters even before I’ve reacted.
I raise my gun and bring the butt down fast between Toby’s eyes. “You don’t ever say her name again!” I roar as I spring back.
He’s crying out in pain that heightens as I yank his legs, pulling him so he’s lying flat. His head cracks against the concrete floor as he falls onto his back.
Ignoring his pleas for mercy, I kneel on his chest. There’s a glimmer of hope in Toby’s eyes as I flick the safety on my gun, and tuck it into the waistband of my pants. And then I take the drugs from my pocket, and all hope fades for Toby. I pinch his chin to part his lips and empty the entire contents of the bag into his mouth. The powder mixes with the blood pouring from his nose and Toby sobs as he swallows.
“You can’t… You can’t do this.”
I stare down at him. “You know something, Toby? I think you’re right,” I agree. “This is going to take way too fucking long, and I have somewhere else to be.” I slip my hand back into my jacket and take out the roll of bills Kaitlyn gave me. I show it to Toby. “We all have to pay the price for our crimes. And this is yours.”
Toby claws at my arms, prepared for my attack this time, and it’s harder to force the money past his sealed lips. A sharp punch to the nose solves the problem. Blood gushes, and he has no choice but to breathe through his mouth. I make sure his gasp for air is his last as I force the bankroll to the back of his throat. He starts choking immediately.
Toby flails for a few minutes, but the drugs must be kicking in because he doesn’t seem able to coordinate his movements as he tries to reach for his mouth. I stand up and back away, watching him with fascination rather than concern as his face turns blue and he stops moving. I wish I could let the women he hurt know that he’s no longer a threat, but there will always be Toby’s out there. Now there’s just one less.
“Do we have a car waiting for us?” I ask Simon as we step out of the room.
“All organized.”
We leave the guard by the door, and head upstairs. The loud music and flashing lights grate on my nerves. Lily needs peace and quiet. I find her asleep with her head on her friend’s lap. An empty water bottle lies on its side on the table next to another that’s still half full.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask Kaitlyn.
“I never want to see this place again,” she says as she settles Lily’s head on the seat so she can slide out.
I reach past so I can take Lily, but Kaitlyn’s hands fly out to stop me. “I don’t think so, Shade.”
There’s no way anyone else is carrying Lily out of here, and I go to glare at Kaitlyn, but she’s looking at my hands.
“You might want to wipe the blood off first,” she suggests.
There are splatters of blood on my hands as well as my cuffs. “Shit.”
I use the handkerchief in my top pocket and the bottled water to clean myself up. Only when Kaitlyn’s satisfied does she allow me near Lily.
“I hope you killed the bastard,” she says as she steps to the side.
She’s better off not knowing, and to her credit, she isn’t expecting an answer.
Lily stirs as I lift her into my arms, but she can’t keep her head up. I settle her into my chest. “I’ve got you,” I whisper.
“Are you taking her to the hospital?” Kaitlyn asks as we make our way out.
The two doormen position themselves in front and behind us to ensure we have a clear path to the front exit. “A doctor’s meeting us at Lily’s apartment.”
“Us? You want me to come back with you?”
I’d like nothing better than time alone with Lily, if only to watch her sleep, but my needs are secondary. “I’m not sure Lily would want to be left alone with any man while she’s in this state.”
