“I told you I handpicked you; it’s an honor. Why can’t you see that? One way or another, we’re going to end up together. When you’re ready to stop the collateral damage from piling up, you know how to reach me.” He disconnected.
The dial tone mocked her as the ugly truth settled on her chest like a weight. Shaking with anger, she threw her head back and screamed, tugging at her hair.
Shooter burst through the door with Juliette on his heels.
“Shit, call Rocky!” Shooter yelled. He gripped her wrists and forced her arms to her side, pinning them down.
“I did this. I did this!” She struggled against his hold. Thrashing wildly as she dug her fingernails into the flesh of his hands.
He hissed, but never released his grip.
Infuriated by her inability to regain control of her body, her life, anything—she threw her head back and thrashed around.
“Crazy bitch,” Shooter spat. His grip tightened and she cried out.
“What the fuck?” Rocky bellowed.
“Here, you deal with this shit. I don’t know what just happened in here, but she’s gone off the deep end.” Shooter shoved her toward Rocky.
He pulled her against his body. “You need to calm the fuck down, Firecracker.”
“Levi did this. Because he could,”
“What the fuck? You were supposed to be watching her, Shooter,” Rocky said.
“I fucking was,” Shooter yelled.
“He—he took Paul’s phone.”
“Jesus shit!” Rocky shouted.
“He won’t stop, he’ll just keep adding to the carnage until he has me,” Evonne said.
“Whatever the fuck you got going on in that madhouse of a brain, you stop thinking it,” Rocky demanded.
“I can’t let—”
“Shut-the-fuck-up,” Rocky warned.
“Why? It’s true.” Evonne said.
“Because you got leaving in your eyes and, mama, when I place my claim on something that shit is for life. It doesn’t walk out and hand itself over to anyone else. Let alone some sick motherfucker who would break you down and leave nothing but a hollowed-out shell. You didn’t start this shit, but I’m going to end it. We’re gonna call Prez. We need to lock this shit down for a while.”
“No.”
“You actually think you have a say?” Rocky asked, looking like he wanted to kill.
His words were a slap to the face. “‘Cause I’m just something to be controlled! Story of my fucking life, but I didn’t expect it from you.”
“I will always do whatever it takes to keep you safe. You want to be pissed at me, fine. But your ass is coming with me right now…one way or another. You want it to be easy or hard, mama?”
“I didn’t ask for this.”
“Best watch the worlds flying out of your mouth. Shit can’t be taken back or forgotten. I’m not the one fucking your shit up and I sure as hell ain’t no whipping boy,” Rocky said. His words penetrated her anger and she dropped her head. “I know you’re hurting. But this ain’t the way to deal. Lock it down for now.”
Tears pooled in her eyes and she blinked back the moisture, clearing her throat. “Okay,” Evonne pushed the word out around the giant lump in her throat.
“Let’s ride. I don’t want to be out in the open. Sicko’s probably watching from somewhere close by, jacking off to this shit.” Rocky released her and placed a firm hand on the small of her back as he guided her outside.