Page 90 of When Sinners Dare

My hands grab for his neck so I can get him down here with me, and then we’re both beating hell out of each other on the ground. I’m just in that haze I go to, and this time not giving one fuck if I kill someone or not. There’s no noise. No thought. There’s just pressure and pain.

One last hit to my face, and something starts hauling at me from somewhere. There’s a low sense of laughter with it as I try to get clear vision back. My legs are dragging, still kicking out, and I finally start seeing Knox’s tense body being dragged back from me. He’s in the same damn place I am – all rage and hatred and ready to keep going.

I shrug in the hold of whoever’s got me, still willing to carry this all the way on.

“Calm down,” Abel’s voice says over my shoulder.

I’m fucking smiling at Knox now, sneering, like if these arms let me go, we’ll be straight back to whatever the fuck was going down. Knox is exactly the same, as he tries pushing Shaw off him.

“You ever touch her again, and I’ll kill you,” growls out of me.

Shaw gets shoved backwards from him, his own hands going up in the air in surrender at the force. “You ever get her in a situation like this again and you won’t get a fucking chance.”

It’s all needling and posturing, and I’m about ready to get straight back to the goddamn point of the matter. “Yeah? Let's get it done then.” I push my elbow back fast and hard and follow it up with my head ramming back at Abel so I can get free. He grunts and lets go, and that's enough for me to be heading right back at Knox for more.

Mariana’s in my face from somewhere immediately. She gets right in my eyeline, moving sideways every time I try to counter me. “NO!” she snaps. Her hands land on my chest, pushing at me before glancing back at Knox. “Stop. Now. Both of you! Enough fighting!”

I’m still staring over her shoulder, about fucking done with this whole damn family trying to let me know they’re above me. I weave her, as my arm wipes across my face, smearing spit and blood. “Don’t try this shit with me again,” I snarl. “One more fucking time and someone’s going to end up dead, you hear me? One of you tries to get between me and her one more time and I swear I won’t give a fuck who you are to her.”

“Kai please,” Mariana says, trying to get a hand to my cheek. “Calm down.” I look at her for the first time, really look, watching her face trying to smile regardless of what’s going down. “It’s done now. They understand. I understand. Everyone here does. It’s okay. I’m okay.”

Abel’s suddenly beside me. He grabs my chin and turns me to look at him. I start tugging, still full of unvented hatred, but he holds tighter.

“Stand still, Kai,” he says quietly. He stares at me, dark eyes boring in and blood coming from his nose, until a half smile lifts his lips and he lets go to walk away. Knox and Shaw follow him, both of them backing up as if they’re still ready to go at me. Shaw throws his car keys towards Mariana, though, and then they’re all gone into the murky light they came from.

CHAPTER TWENTY - NINE

MARIANA

Lying in bed, wide awake, I turn to look at Kai. The red swelling and cuts on his face are still raw and vibrant, and with his chest and stomach exposed I can see the bruises from the fight with my brothers.

I stare at the patch covering his wound, wondering if it was from that Jonny. Maybe, but he’s gone now. No need for that conversation unless Kai wants it.

“I can feel you staring at me.”

I roll back over and look around my room. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s early. Couldn’t sleep?” His voice sounds groggy and hoarse – probably because of the beating he took yesterday. I love them for rescuing us but hate that it cost Kai. I don’t even understand why they did it or why Knox had to get like he did. It served no purpose other than boosting their egos.

“Something like that.”

“Want to talk about it?” His eyes are still closed, and he’s still half asleep.

I pull back the covers and head to the bathroom, careful not to make too much noise.“No. Rest up.”

Abel wants to talk to us before the rest of the family arrives. It’s not surprising. It’s been a helluva long time since we’ve had a family meeting – Mother’s wake – and the whole damn world has changed since then.

Our world.

Dante won’t be here, but Kai will. It doesn’t seem fair that I’ve finally met someone that can stand up to the shit my family will put them through, but he’s not here to be part of that. Worse is, it was my doing that drove Dante out. Although, I’m still hopeful that it will just be a matter of time with him. We’re all angry in the moment – Dante more than most – and I won’t give up on him.

Never.

I finish up in the bathroom and look back out into the room. Kai’s crashed still, but it brings a smile to my face. He’s here. In my room. With me. Despite everything.

Leaving him to rest, I slip out and head downstairs to the kitchen but stop before opening the door. I look down at my hand as my heart begins to race.

“Marci?” I call as I step back from the door.

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