“No, I want to live by myself.” My hand pauses on her back, and she lifts her head so her eyes meet mine.
“At least for a little while.” She smiles. “You can still visit.”
I nod and resist the urge to lock her up, to protect her, because that’s what I want to do so she can’t get hurt again. But if she has proven anything, it’s that she is the strongest person I know. Despite everything, she still sees a future for herself.
“You smashed that guy’s head in with your boot. You did the same thing that night I was drunk too,” she says.
“I did.”
“Why?”
“He made me mad,” I tell her honestly.
“Do you think you would ever hurt me if I made you mad?” Her hands are hanging at her sides now, no longer touching me.
“No, never.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because you make me mad all the time.” I grin at her.
“Okay.” Her reply is simple, then she smiles and stares at the soap in my hand. “If you’re really gentle, you can kiss me.” My eyes trace her body, which is still extremely sore.
“It can wait. Gentle isn’t in my vocabulary,” I say. Her smile drops. Fuck it! “Okay, I’ll kiss you.” I drop to my knees in the shower. Fuck, that’s painful.
“What are you doing?”
“You didn’t say where to kiss you. And let’s be honest, it is my favorite meal.” I lean forward and slide my tongue out toward her. She sucks in a breath at the contact and raises her hands to fist them in my hair.
Being careful that she doesn’t move too much, I slide my hand down her leg until I tap her ankle. She spreads her legs a little bit wider so I can run my hand back up and slip a finger inside her. I’m mindful of her breathing to ensure she doesn’t hurt herself. Kalilah groans and pulls my hair as my tongue circles her clit.
Slipping in a second finger, she spreads her legs even more, and my tongue moves a little faster. I can feel her body start to tense, and I don’t want to hurt her, so I slow down, but she tugs at my hair, indicating for me to keep going. So I do what the lady wants, and I fuck her with my mouth. Her pussy tightens around my fingers as they pump in and out of her.
“Kyson…” she says my name as she comes.
When she stops pulsing around my fingers, I pull away, rising from my knees. Once I’m standing in front of her, she opens her eyes, and I brush her wet hair back.
“Feel better, love?”
She grins and leans back into me.
How the fuck did I get by without her?
Kalilah wants to see the asshole the following day.
She is up and walking around more and knows that he’s here. I have given him water and nothing more. Even that’s a damn luxury the asshole doesn’t deserve, but I couldn’t let the bastard die on me, not until she has her chance to see and say her piece to him. She follows me down the steps—each one she takes is slower and slower. When I reach the bottom, I flick on the light, and Tony comes into view, tied to the chair and stinking of piss.
“Oh God,” she says, covering her mouth.
The asshole’s head shoots up at the sound of her voice, and his eyes lock on her. You can see hope bloom in his expression at the sight of this beautiful woman who was once his.
She is careful with each and every step she takes, and I stay by her side as she gets closer to him. His body leans forward as if somehow, he thinks she is there to free him. It’s interesting that he would think that, considering everything he’s put her through. That he believes he still has a strong enough hold on Kalilah and that she will do anything for him. He saw what his friend did to her, and it didn’t even bother him. So for him to even think she is going to save him completely baffles me. Even if she wanted to let him live, I would still kill him. Scum like that asshole doesn’t deserve to walk this earth and especially not with her. And there ain’t no fucking way she isn’t going to be around.
“Kalilah.” He says her name, and she stops in her tracks. I lift my hand to her back for support. He notices the movement, and his eyes narrow. “You cheated on me. Did you forget we’re married?” he seethes.
Kalilah flinches back, but I just chuckle.
Tony’s eyes find mine.
“You cheated, and you were married. Were you not?” I ask him.
“That’s different. Kalilah would only cheat for love. I fucked because she was never in the mood,” he grumbles.
“Yet you still forced me anyway,” she says quietly.
“You liked it.” He smiles evilly.
“You are the worst fuck I’ve ever had,” she shoots back, chin raised in defiance.
There’s my girl, and I’m so proud of her.
“I want you to die knowing I am good, that I’ve made a new, better life for myself. Despite you trying to control me, claim me as if I were your prize, and isolate me from everyone. It didn’t work in the long run. I contacted my parents, I have made friends, and I have great sex.” She smirks at that, and I do too, knowing she’s talking about me.
“You fuck him? Him?” he screams.
“It’s best you go and meet up with Alaska, love. I have things I need to take care of.” I lean in and kiss her lips, griping her cheeks as I do, so he can see that she is mine. I pull away and touch them one last time, smiling at her. “I will see you tonight.”
She nods, and I watch as she heads to the stairs.
“How could you leave me here with him after everything I’ve done for you?” he screams. “You slut.” She tenses at his words but keeps on going.
I walk over and punch his face at the use of that word. She doesn’t look back, and when she’s gone, I step in front of him and lean down.
“It’s time to play.” I smirk.
The asshole starts shaking his head, but that won’t get him anywhere.
“You must think of yourself as a big man because no one ever says no to you.” I stand to my full height. “I have one brother who loves the use of knives.” I walk to the table. “And the other loves guns and knives, but for different reasons.” I lift up both items in my hands and move to take the seat opposite him. He eyes the items as I sit. “Me, I am pretty much always a fight-with-my-fists-and-boots type of man, you know? I am quick with my hands. And the boots to the face… Well, it simply helps with my anger issues. Supposedly we all have anger issues. Who knew?” I shrug, staring at him.
“Let me go. I will pay you and never contact her again,” he begs.
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. You see, you are a liar. We all know this. And I am not a man to be fooled.” I lift the knife and flip it between my fingers. He watches every move before I grip the handle and fling it so hard that it embeds itself deep in his shoulder. “Shit, I need better aim.” I get up as his eyes go wide with shock, then I pull the knife out, and he screams. I calmly sit back down. “I’m sure I can do better than that. My brother would not be proud of me.” I smile and flip the knife again between my fingers before I walk over to him and place my lips to his forehead before I move back, raise my eyes to him, and throw it again. This time I hit him directly between the legs. My intended target.