Page 66 of Heartbeat Girl

“Remember, never try to contact Dean again. You have no desire to. If you had his family or anyone on social media, if you were in their life, tell them you broke up and delete them all. Don’t worry. If anyone gives you trouble, I’ll take care of them, too.”

My eyes raked over her. The flush on her skin faded. She no longer tried to lick or touch me. Whatever had been going on with her and my blood had waned. I sighed. The blood was why she touched me. That and compulsion were likely theonlyreasons this frightened woman encountered a vampire and lost that fear. Maybe she’d meet me again with a clean slate and not scream.

“Do you want to meet me again under better circumstances?”

“No,” she said instantly.

Steve didn’t laugh this time. He simply watched her curiously.

My shoulders sagged, and I said, “I guess this is goodbye then.”

“Goodbye,” she mumbled.

“Have a good night's sleep. Tomorrow your life will be a lot happier.”

Jayne slipped inside the apartment and shut the door. I turned to Dean, standing beside Steve. Dean had a couple of inches in height on me and arms twice the size of mine. I could snap him like a twig because of what I was before he raised a fist at me.

Jayne seemed sweet and too nice for her own good. How did she end up with a fuck like Dean? What did she see him in? Those muscles he used to pound on her?

“Just to make sure I’m not reading this situation wrong. Did you hurt Jayne?”

“Yes,” he answered in a clipped voice.

“How did you break her wrist?”

“I slammed her head against the wall. She was near the stairs and tumbled down them.”

I clenched my fists. Most likely, he punched her hard enough to blacken her eye.

“Is this the first time you’ve hurt her?”

“No.”

I took a deep breath. “I’m going to need to know exactly how many times.”

Before that night was over, I’d hurt him over and over again. Healing him and then repeating the process again. One time for every hurt he caused Jayne.

Chapter Twenty-One

JAYNE

Bag tossed over my shoulder, I practically pranced toward the motel. The band wasn’t performing in Rock Castle that night, so that meant no sleeping on the Machine of Death.

“Are you that happy?” Steve walked beside me.

I skipped a little. “Maybe.”

“All right, but you said you’re in charge of feeding us. With no concert tonight, that means no access to our fans. How are you getting us food? We need one lucky lady to feed us all.”

I cringed, but wouldn’t be deterred. They could get food easily without my meddling. They’d been doing it a long time without me. My knowledge, however, made everything different. As their manager, I would have to managethisto ensure everyone was safe, including the band. If someone saw them snacking on a woman, one of the guys might be killed. I had a feeling it didn’t have to be a stake. A wound to the heart was lethal for them. The visual had me shaking my head fiercely.

“Liam said he wanted to eat alone.”

Steve whistled. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

My stomach knotted. “It’s his choice.”

“Mm-hmm.” Steve smiled. “Perfect way to getyouall alone and evaluate your reaction to him touching another female. Perfect chance to catch you—”

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