Page 41 of Savage Salvation

While I don’t see the monster, I do see a rage on his face, but the words that leave his mouth shock me to the core. Especially when I believe him. “You’re safe. I’m gonna get you out of here.”

His hands drop from my forearms as he pulls his T-shirt over me, the material shielding my naked and battered flesh. Without another word, he moves a secure arm around my lower back and the other behind my knees as he scoops me off the floor. Instantly, like it’s the most natural thing, my arm hooks over his strong shoulder, clinging tightly to the security he’s providing.

He might hate me. He’s not my knight in shining armor. He’s not the hero coming to rescue me. But he’s not the monster who will destroy me, either.

30

Gage

“What the fuck was I supposed to do? Leave her there? Let the fucker assault her and do God only knows what else to her?” It’s bad enough that I’d fuckin’ froze at the sight of her battered and broken, tied up like a goddamn dog until I could comprehend that what I was seeing wasn’t a nightmare. It was the twisted plan of a sociopath who thought he could use her and offer her to me like some peace offering. The thought sends a rage through me like no other as my fist slams into the wall, the Sheetrock giving way. But it’s not enough. I need more pain. I need something because I want nothing more than to go find the piece of shit and put a bullet between his eyes.

“Gage,” Hayden’s shout on the other end of the phone brings me down, but only slightly. “I’m letting you know. He can press charges for assault. Again. It’s your word, and hers, against his, but you really need to call Walter. Have him get ahead of it.”

I need Hayden to calm me down. My brother is the first person I wanted to call because he would tell me how to fix this. Only, there’s no fixing the fear in her eyes. The screams, the pleading to let her go, and the will to fight back. When she was fighting me, she thought I was gonna have my way with her. She thought I was no better than the motherfucker who was gonna violate her body and soul.

Picking up the nearest thing within reach, I sling it across the room. Pressing my back to the hard surface of the wall, I lean against it for support, my fingers pulling at the strands of my hair. “I. Don’t. Give. A. Flying. Fuck. The only thing I need to know is how to keep the sadistic bastard away from her.” And bury the motherfucker alive for what he’s done to her.

“Where is he now?”

“I don’t know.” Hopefully his ass is still on the floor, trying to get his breath. The only reason he’s alive is because my need to get her out of there was stronger than the need to kill the son of a bitch. “I should’ve finished him off before leaving. Consequences be damned. At least she’d be safe.”

“Gage, we will keep her safe,” Hayden reassures me, the room filling with his voice from the speaker, but I wish he was standing here with me and not across the damn country.

The image of her bruised and battered body flashes clearly in my mind. I can’t let him get away with what he’s done. And I sure as fuck can’t let him get near her again. “I can’t let him hurt her.”

“He won’t. Because I know you won’t give him the chance.”

“I’m scared. Because if he tries, I won’t stop.” There’s no way I’d be able to. I don’t know how I would’ve responded had it been anyone but Kinsley, but the fact that he had her there, naked and exposed … the things he’d planned to do. And thought I’d join in. Sick fuck. “I’m gonna kill him.”

“Where’s she at?”

My eyes immediately look down the hallway watching the door that has been closed since the doctor arrived. “Nicole is still in with her. She wouldn’t go to the hospital, and I didn’t know what else to do. She wouldn’t stop crying.” And I couldn’t fucking take it. Her screams, her tears, her pleading to not bring her to the hospital. So, I brought the doctor to her.

“Are you good?”

Fuck no. “Yeah.” I will be. I hope. But that depends on her. I won’t be good until she is. And I fear even then I won’t be able to live with what that bastard did until his blood is on my hands.

“Don’t lie to me.”

“What do I do now?” Because murder seems like the plausible answer, and even then, it won’t be enough. I knew he hated her. But this? I never thought he’d go through these lengths. I should’ve gotten her away from him long ago. But I let her be.

“Take care of her. Keep her safe. And keep your head on straight.” Hayden pauses, letting out a frustrated breath. “Call Walter. Have him ready on the legal side. I’ll head your way in the morning.”

“No. It’s fine. It’ll be fine.” I can’t involve him in this. I just needed to hear him tell me what to do. And I’ll heed his advice, she’ll be safe. Because I will protect her. “Stay there. Take care of Addy. I’ll be fine. And I promise Kinsley will be too.” She has to be.

“Only if you swear to me you’ll call if things aren’t fine.”

“Will do.”

“No, Gage. If shit hits the fan, pick up the phone, call me immediately. I’ll be there.”

“I know. And that’s why I love my big bro.” And why I called him. Even if he isn’t here, I know I can depend on him.

The bedroom door opens, and Nicole exits, slowly pulling it closed behind her.

She stops in front of me, taking a long, steady appraisal of me. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told her. From what I can see, she’s all right. But I think she should go in for an in-depth checkup. I’m sure she’ll tell you she doesn’t want to go, just as she informed me, but Gage, even if she doesn’t have external wounds, she really should speak with a professional. She only told me bits and pieces, but even from that, I know she’ll have lasting scars that will remain long after her body heals.”

“I’ll talk to her, but she’s stubborn as fuck.” And I won’t force her. Not on this. Not when she’s crying, begging me to go along with what she wants. “Here.” I reach into my wallet, pulling out some bills but Nicole instantly raises her hand.