Page 57 of April’s Fool

Dear ol’ Samuel crumples into a ball, gasping for air.

“How does it feel to fight to breathe?” I demand, stalking over to him.

He struggles to respond as his face turns an ugly shade of purple. I loosen my grip just enough for him to choke out words.

“Please . . . I’m sorry. . . I’ll leave her alone,” he gasps, his hands clawing at my wrist.

“Sorry?” I laugh, the sound echoing in the suddenly quiet room. “You think sorry fixes what you did to her? The bruises? The fear?” I tighten my grip again, watching his eyes bulge. “Sorry doesn’t cut it, but you know what will? Your fuckin’ life.”

Before he can react, I twist his neck, hearing the beautiful snap, and drop him to the floor. Turning to the room, I look at the other three men. “You all played a part in my woman’s misery, and you’ll pay, but not at my hands.”

“We just . . .” The one who speaks up is the first to be shot by Hazard’s gun.

Cannon draws his and shoots another. Hornet takes the third out.

“You know, it would have been more exciting to take them to the cemetery and fuck them up even more before finishing them off,” Hazard remarks, shoving his gun into the holster.

“Let’s get them loaded into the van,” Cannon remarks. “We’ve got a fire to start. Trench, you get to work with Centerfire to light this place up. You know the drill.”

“You got it, Prez,” Trench says, rubbing his hands gleefully. “Come on, Center, it’s time to play.”

“I hate it when you get that look on your face,” Centerfire grunts, shaking his head. “You love fire way too much.”

“No, I just have respect for the element of it and for how to use it.” Trench smirks and slaps Centerfire on the back. “One day you’ll understand.”

Taking a breath, I look back at Samuel’s body, taking in the way his head is unnaturally twisted. During my time as a SEAL, nothing has ever felt as satisfying as taking his life. No matter how many terrorists I’ve done the same maneuver to, I’ve always felt a twinge of guilt, but this time I live with it because it’s my woman he hurt and no one fucks with what’s mine.

“Come on, brother,” Hazard says, slapping my shoulder. “Let’s get this done and get you back to that woman of yours.”

“Yeah.” I nod. More than glad to be going back to my woman, a woman who owns my very soul, no matter how many marks it bears.

Chapter 26

APRIL

“You looked great walking across that stage, sweetheart,” my dad says, his voice brimming with pride as he gives me a side hug.

“Thanks, Dad.” After everything with Samuel, I didn’t think I’d be able to, but I’ve grown stronger every day. Sure, it was still a lot to make that walk, but I refused to give up. I wanted that honor. I deserved it. So I did, and it felt good. Kayla and Mercy expertly applied makeup to hide my fading bruises.

No one knew what had happened to me, and I’m glad for it. I didn’t want to see the pitying looks from my classmates. Not that any of them mattered to me. All I cared about was seeing my goal through, graduating, and walking across that stage.

I’m glad my dad came to town today. He’d actually gotten in after I came home from the hospital and hasn’t left yet. He’s been around and stayed close by. It’s been nice.

“You should know, I’m buying a house not far from yours and Fools,” he announces.

“You are?” I ask, completely shocked by his announcement.

“Yeah, I figure it’s time to settle down. Stop moving around so much. I can stay close to you, knowing you’re happy. That good with you?” he asks, uncertainty in his eyes.

I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Of course, it’s good with me.”

My dad is moving here to live close by. I love it because it means I can finally have my dad nearby.

“What’s going on?” Fool asks, coming up behind me, arms wrapping around my waist as I step back from my dad.

“Dad’s moving here,” I tell him with a smile.

Fool grins down at me. “That’s good, sweets.”