Keep Me (Broken Heroes 3)

She’s under my skin, inside my head, and wreaking havoc on my life, and she’s been here what, a few hours’ time? I can’t let this continue… I’m stronger than this. Caring for her, that’s a complete weakness.

I rush down the stairs faster, this weird feeling in my gut taking root. Something is off. I reach for my gun just to make sure it’s there even though I know it’s always there. Old habits never die, I suppose.

When I enter the basement, the sinking feeling I had is confirmed. A male voice echoes through the dark hallway, his shadow lingering along the walls.

Anger rears its ugly head, and I know I’m about to do something that I may not like.

I reach for my gun again, this time taking it out. I flick the safety off, holding it in front of me, ready to shoot at any given time. I start to walk around the corner when I spot one of my newest guards in front of her cell, trying to unlock the door.

I grit my teeth. What the fuck is this prick doing? I told every single one of my guys to stay out of the basement. He knew I was hiding something, but was it any of his fucking business to investigate? No.

The fury festering inside me boils over when I hear the cell unlock, and I watch him step into the cell. “Now let’s have some fun before the boss comes back. Spread those creamy white thighs for me. I want to see if you’re as innocent as you look.”

As quietly as I can, I move closer until I’m right behind him.

I don’t dare look at the girl’s face. I don’t want to see the spiraling fear inside her baby-blue eyes, not unless I put it there. Raising my gun to the idiot’s head, I pull the trigger. His body hits the floor before the sound of the gun going off has even reached my ears.

A scream from my sweet mouse fills my ears.

She needs me… she needs my protection.

The thought forms in my mind and I ignore it.

I step over the dead body and into the cell. I’ll have to get one of the other men to clean this up, and then I’ll have to call a meeting letting everyone know that no one touches her. No one. My eyes scan the cell, until they find her tiny body. She is huddled up on the floor against the wall farthest away, looking just as scared as I thought she would be.

Like a mouse caught in a trap, she is at my mercy. I stare at her for a long moment, wondering what I will do with her. There’s a feral look in her eyes, and I wonder if she thinks I’m going to hurt her? The muscle in my chest beats harshly.

Guilt washes over me… a feeling I rarely experience anymore. I don’t know why I feel bad for her, why I feel bad for killing this bastard in her presence. I shouldn’t feel anything for her at all… I shouldn’t care at all about anything that pertains to her, but I do.

“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” I gesture for her to come forward, but she doesn’t move or give me any other sign that she heard what I said.

She just keeps staring at the body lying on the floor outside the cell. Yet, another indicator that she is telling the truth. How she could have been one of my father’s whores and get spooked by a man being shot in the head?

Shaking my head at the thought, I walk deeper into the cell, stopping only once I’m standing right in front of her. The tip of my shoes almost touch her toe.

“Are you coming?” I try my best to keep my tone soft. She’s already scared enough as it is, what’s the point in scaring her more?

Still nothing. No reaction at all.

I eye her once more. Her body is tucked into itself as if to make her already small body appear smaller. Her fingers grip her knees so hard her knuckles turn white. I inspect her features closer; they’re a cross between fear and shock.

She’s definitely never witnessed a murder, or any crime, before. Fuck, she’s going to be a piece of work, and I just don’t have the time for that shit.

But you want to.

I sigh loudly and stick the gun back into the holster at my side. Then I kneel down beside her and slide my arms under her small body. I lift her up in my arms, and I wonder if she will fight me or beg me to put her down. When she doesn’t, I wonder if she’s had a mental breakdown.

As I bring her body into my chest, she goes stiff and rigid at first, but once I stand up and start walking with her, her arms snake around my neck. She cuddles into my chest, like I’m the only person who can protect her from the monsters in the dark. She hasn’t realized yet that I am the monster in the dark.