Break Me

I set my bag down and sit, even though I know Jason is expecting me and I don’t want him to worry.

“I feel safe with him, protected.” I look down. “I have very strong feelings for him, feelings I have never had for anyone.”

He looks at me, his expression unreadable. “He is unstable at best.”

“I understand how you may feel that way, but he is the most stable thing I have had in years.”

He shrugs. “Did we not help you enough? Did we fail you in some way?”

“I just need to move forward.” As soon as the words escape my lips, the other Dr. Bennett walks in. Ryan.

“Move forward?” His voice shakes, and I fear his tone, his demeanor, will give away our secret.

I stand up and smile. “I’m very sorry if you feel put off by this. It’s not my intention. Please excuse me. Jason is waiting for me.” I walk away quickly and make my way out the door as fast as I can.

“Lorraine, wait!” I hear Ryan call me from behind. “Dammit, I need to talk to you.”

I hear an engine roar and know without looking it’s the black Chevy truck, the lights brightening the darkened parking lot.

I stop and turn around. Ryan is unaffected by the revving engine.

When he gets close enough, I hold up my hand. “Stop.”

“Stop what, exactly?” Ryan sounds annoyed.

“Stop calling. Stop following me. Stop, Ryan, and move on. Heidi would want that.”

He looks as though I have slapped him in the face. “So, that’s it? She means nothing to you anymore? I mean nothing to you?”

I shake my head. “That’s not true. I just think we need to focus on the future.”

“And he is your future?” Ryan closes his eyes and looks down.

“Without a doubt,” I answer. “Be happy for me, Ryan, and find happiness for you, too.”

I turn and use the key fob to unlock my vehicle. I get in, start the car, and pull out of the parking lot, knowing I am safe and hopeful that this is the end to my confrontations with Ryan.

While I drive home, the lights behind me don’t follow closely, but I see them.

Jason Stanley—Cobra, the abused boy, the man who made horrible mistakes—is changed. He is watching over me. He is making sure my past is lit up and I am no longer incapacitated because of it. He is my beacon, a light to follow. My future is no longer scary and alone.

Not everything is certain or uncomplicated, but my feelings for him are without a doubt.

Chapter Twenty - Four

My phone pings with a text from Brock. It’s a location and time for a fight tonight. I’ve had my fighting on hold for healing and then to help Lo. She’s been my release and my focus. I haven’t needed to pound someone into the ground like before. My stomach tightens at the thought of leaving Lo at home. However, my own insecurities of losing my cool with her have me needing to release Cobra, at least for a few strikes tonight. I have spent so much time keeping myself in check, maybe now is the time to let loose and see if I really have found a way to overcome my own past.

Having an office job, even one I hate, has afforded me time and access. Lorraine’s dad stumbled upon not only my father beating the shit out of me when I was younger, but he also uncovered numerous district redistributions of thousands in construction funds. Projects that council members voted on and approved were never completed. The trails move the money to multiple people, all of whom landed on Lorraine’s suspect list, my father included.

Having all my documentation copied and saved, as well as locked away for an insurance plan, I know the only person left who could have killed her family was Waters, possibly with the help of my father.

Inside, I’m twisted at the knowledge that the man who gave me life could have taken Lo’s whole family from her. If I can prove he did this, I swear on everything I have ever done right or wrong, I will be the one to serve my own fucking justice for me, for Lo, for her mom, her dad, and for her twin sister. Corruption feeds corruption.

Waters, too. I will take every fucker who caused her this pain down one by one.

The king cobra inside me is ready to strike. I feel the agitation and the tension building in every fiber of my being. Whomever I fight tonight, they better bring their game, because I’m hell-bent on destroying someone or something today.

When my cell rings, I force my mind to steady.

“Yo,” I answer without looking at the caller ID.

“I know what you’ve found, Jason. We need to meet,” my father says in a low tone.