Protect Me (Broken Heroes 2)

A horrible thought enters my mind. I want to forget it, but once it’s there, I can’t seem to get it out. If I would have had the chance, I would have killed her myself. If I were as strong as Damon—no, I know I would have broken her neck myself.

Damon is standing right in front of me, watching me as if I’m seconds away from exploding. He’s probably wondering how I’m going to handle all this. What would he think of me if he knew what I was conjuring up right now?

My dark thoughts are interrupted when Toni steps into the room.

“All done, boss.”

“All right. Come on, baby.” Damon offers me a hand, helping me off the counter. He guides me out of the room, grabbing the suitcase he packed on the way out.

We walk through the foyer where Hayley’s dead body was laying across the floor. It’s gone now, but my eyes are still fixated to the spot. I walk around the area like it’s going to burn my shoes if I touch it—like the wood is tainted or something…as if her death has left an evil residue on the floor.

Damon holds my hand, practically dragging me out the door to his car like nothing happened. It’s strange to go from someone dying to pretending like nothing happened.

When we make it to the car, he opens the door and all but lifts me into the passenger seat. I know I need to say something, anything, to make him aware I’m okay, but I don’t want to say a word. I don’t think I can without breaking down.

All I can think about is a world without Damon. I knew he was dangerous, that he came with an X on his back, but I guess, in my eyes, he seemed invincible. But after tonight, I know he’s not. He’s just as close to death as the rest of us—maybe even closer considering what he does for a living.

I don’t even realize Damon’s in the car and we’re driving down the road until I catch a pair of headlights coming at us.

“Would you please say something?” Damon’s white knuckling the steering wheel, clearly upset by my silence, but I don’t know what to say that I haven’t already.

“I’m okay,” I mumble. I can see the worry in his gaze, and I don’t want him to be concerned about me, because it’s not me I’m worried about. It’s going to take time, but I’ll be okay.

I spent so much time trying to run from him and fearing him, only to end up being terrified of losing him. Even after all this, all we’ve been through, all he’s done, I love him beyond this life.

I’ll love him forever.

For the rest of the drive, I stare out the window and watch the scenery whizzing by while I try to remember the person I was this morning. Damon doesn’t say anything else after I tell him I’m okay, and I’m thankful.

We pull up to the Rossi mansion, and I take a deep breath before opening my door at the same time Damon does. We both get out of the car, and Damon grabs the suitcase from the back. My feet feel heavy as I trudge up the stairs, my hand in his. It isn’t until we’re halfway to the front door that I notice Xander standing at the top, waiting for us just like he did last time. He looks like the king. Like he owns the whole fucking world.

“Little brother, I wasn’t expecting you today. I thought we agreed on tomorrow,” Xander calls out in a cheerful voice. He gives me a smile, showing off his straight white teeth.

I blink, my gaze swinging to Damon’s, wondering why Xander was expecting us tomorrow. I know right away there’s something he isn’t telling me, and I don’t like it. Not at all. Damon gives his brother a heated glare, looking as if he’s about to break someone’s neck again.

“Let’s get inside and have a drink before we talk about anything.” Damon sounds irritated, and his tone confirms my hunch that there is something going on I don’t know about.

“Be my guest.” Xander gestures for us to enter.

Damon’s hand tightens in mine, and he pulls me over the threshold and into the house.

Did I mention I hate being here?

We walk into the dining room, and my eyes move to the table where we had dinner, then out over the patio and garden.

“We should really discuss this in my office.” Xander’s eyes bore into mine. “Alone.”

I want to smack the stupid right out of him. If he thinks I’m giving them privacy than he’s dumber than I thought.

“She goes with me. Someone just fucking shot at her, and I had to kill the bitch, so I don’t really care what you have to say about it, Xander.”