Broken Bastard (Killer of Kings 2)

She wasn’t joking when she said Bain was a sex machine—he literally was. The man was trained to pleasure women, and she could vouch for his skills after being on the receiving end last night. Just thinking about him made her feel hot and bothered.

“He’s good to me, Lisa.”

Her friend must have seen it in her eyes, the truth, the love she had for Bain, because Lisa hugged her, pulling her close. “I was so worried. At first when I saw the news, I thought you were dead. Then when no one said anything, I thought you were digging into more research, and then I got scared, and thought something bad had happened. I’m just glad you’re okay and that you came to tell me. I was literally about to call the cops.”

“Could you do me a favor?” Scarlett asked. “Tell Carter I won’t be coming back. I can’t face him. It’ll be one less researcher he has to let go.”

“Sure…”

“Did you tell the police anything?”

“I was going to today. I hadn’t heard from you, but you weren’t listed as one of the dead. Did you see the carnage on the news? There were almost a dozen bodies.”

“I was lucky to have missed it.” Scarlett heard Bain clear his throat and knew her time was running out.

Luckily, Lisa seemed too happy that she wasn’t six feet under to push her for more information. She hoped it was convincing enough to satisfy Bain.

Once they were back in the car, she sagged against her seat. It was stressful telling her friend half-truths and worrying she wouldn’t believe her.

“Was that good enough for you?” she asked.

“We’ll see.”

They were back on the road again, and she really just wanted to go home. Where was home? Her apartment was a shitty little prison where she spent her long, lonely nights stressing over every detail of her equally shitty life. Home was wherever Bain was. He made her feel beautiful, special, and safe. Alive rather than existing. What more could she ask for?

“Can we stop at my place to get some clothes?” she asked.

“No way. Your apartment is definitely under surveillance.”

She didn’t recognize this area of the city, but she was glad they weren’t heading to Michael’s house. The house they used to share together was the epicenter for her worst nightmares. Bain turned down a side street, then another, before parking the car.

“The suburbs? What now?” she asked, already feeling emotionally exhausted.

“Come on,” he said. Bain walked around to the trunk, popped it open, and unzipped that black duffel bag. He tugged on a jacket over his t-shirt, and then concealed a gun in the back of his pants. Every move he made was fast and precise, like he’d done this dance a thousand times.

He shut the trunk and took her hand. The simple act of handholding calmed her nerves and made her connection to Bain grow stronger. She looked at all the different houses, row by row—mowed lawns, flower beds, garden gnomes. Little did the homeowners know a killer was in their midst.

“Where’re we going?” she asked.

He stopped and stared at a house across the street. “Time to pay Michael a visit.”

****

Bain had to hold back the beast. All he could think about was breaking that prick’s neck. Apparently, Michael had fucked with Scarlett’s head, taught her fear and insecurity, making Bain’s job at winning her over harder. It wasn’t going to be easy for him to convince Scarlett of her worth, but he’d spend the rest of his life doing it.

That wasn’t the only reason he hated the bastard. Michael had bedded Bain’s woman and still believed he had a chance with her. Bain needed to stake his claim and set the record straight.

He had a firm grip on Scarlett’s hand as they crossed the street. She didn’t need to be here for this, but she did need closure, so he’d give it to her.

“Bain, no, I can’t…”

“You never have to be scared, baby girl. Not for a fucking second.”

“You don’t understand.” Tears filled her eyes. She clung to him, and his protective instincts fired up inside him. For the first time in his life, he had something of value, something precious. “He didn’t just hurt me. There’s more.”

“What is it?”

“He took something from me—” She couldn’t speak any more. Scarlett shook her head, too emotional to continue. Michael really had put her through hell and back.