“You got this one, or is it on me?” Vince asks, with a touch of humor in his voice. If I was in a better position I’d find it funny, but I don’t.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Felipe yells out loud enough so Ava can hear as he stomps closer to us and it pisses me off.
I don’t like that he knew where I was. My eyes drift to Ava. He was tracking her with that fucking GPS chip in her arm. My jaw clenches and my hands ball up into fists.
Like he fucking owns her. She’s mine.
“She’s right where I told her to sit.” I keep my voice low and even, then cock a brow at him. “What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask.
Vince stares Felipe down with daggers in his eyes. All traces of the humor that was there previously are gone now. Felipe doesn’t seem to give a fuck. He’s acting like he’s untouchable. And in a lot of ways he is. But I don’t give a fuck. Ava was finally settling down, but now that he’s here and his eyes are on her, she’s all fucked up again. The men trailing Felipe are Vince’s, which means this prick came alone.
She looked nervous and a bit sad before, but now there’s nothing on her face. She’s staring at the ground with her hands on her trembling thighs. On her face is that blank expression that I fucking hate. I can tell she’s debating on whether or not she should get down from the chair and bow on the ground.
“Stay right where you are, Ava!” My command comes out hard as I yell, and I almost regret it. But she doesn’t belong to Felipe, and I’m not going to let him turn her back into the shell she was when I got her.
Her eyes dart up to meet mine, although her body remains tense and still. Her shoulders rise as she takes in a heavy breath.
“Answer me,” I yell out to her. I fucking hate that I’m giving her a command, but I want the fact that she’s mine and only mine to be made very fucking clear. I’m not going to let her think Felipe’s in control here.
“Yes, sir,” she calls out. My teeth grind against each other and I can feel the eyes of every man out here on me. I know I told her to call me sir when other people were present, but I changed my mind.
I shake my head slowly as I walk closer to her, and her eyes widen with fear. “Be a good girl. Call me Kane.” At my words, tension leaves her shoulders and her eyes soften.
It soothes my heart that the mention of my name can have such a profound effect on her. “Yes, Kane,” she says, with a soft touch in her voice.
I walk up to her and cup her chin in my hand. “Stay here while I handle this.” She nods slightly and closes her eyes as I rub my thumb along her jaw. I can sense her trust in me. I only hope I don’t fail her.
“Good girl,” I say to her, and then stare at Felipe who looks pissed off. His eyes are on her, but her eyes are on me. I smirk at him. He thinks he can control her, but he can’t. I won’t let her be used like that.
“What do you need, Felipe?” I ask, and walk closer to stand between him and Ava. It’s not really a question though, since I’m more or less telling him to get the fuck out. I know it. He knows it. And Vince and his famila know it.
Finally, the fucker looks back at me. He narrows his eyes and smirks as he says, “I saw the bitch had moved and I was informed that you may not have a firm grasp on her.”
“Everything’s under control here, as you can see.”
“Where the fuck’s her collar?” I watch as his fists clench and he leans to one side to look around me. I turn my head to find Ava looking out at the waves like she was earlier, ignoring us. A smile widens on my face. That’s my girl.
“I like the one I got her better,” I say lightheartedly. I watch as Anthony and Tommy walk toward one another with their hands on their guns and their eyes on Felipe. I don’t like this shit, because behind Felipe and me is Ava. I don’t want this to turn violent. I just need her to get the fuck out.
“It wasn’t yours,” he bites back.
“Wrong. She’s mine, and everything on her is mine.”
He cocks a grin and takes a step closer to me. “Not for long,” he says with a smile. Every bit of confidence and happiness leaves me. My heart drops in my chest, leaving it hollow.
“She’s mine right now, and she’ll do as I say.”
He just smirks at me and turns to look at Vince as he clucks his tongue. He looks back at me with his eyes traveling up and down my body like he’s sizing me up. “I guess I’ll be seeing you shortly. We have a meeting arranged for tomorrow. I’ll check in with Abram about your unique handling methods.” His words make my stomach churn with sickness. I can’t fucking stand it.
He brushes by me and I almost turn around and knock the fucker out, but Vince grabs my arm and silently shakes his head. I debate on doing it anyway. I know what he must’ve done to her. The thoughts flash before my eyes and I see red. All I fucking see is red.
As Felipe continues to walk off, Vince starts talking business again. Trying to diffuse the situation, I guess. But it’s not working. I watch Felipe as he veers off his path to make a sharp turn, heading for the exit behind Ava. I don’t like how close the fucker is to her.
“As long as he doesn’t touch her,” Vince speaks quietly so no one else can hear, “don’t fucking make a move.”
I don’t acknowledge him. I keep my eyes steady on that prick as he walks by Ava, slowing his steps and staring at her. She cowers in her seat with her eyes staring straight ahead.
I don’t give a damn about the docks, or the shipments. I couldn’t fucking care less. Instead I’m watching as Felipe walks even closer to her. He stands a few feet away, but just by him being there her entire body is stiff and she’s not okay. I know she’s not.
The water splashing against the docks is drowning out what he’s saying. I know he’s talking to her though. And I don’t like her reaction. Her face is mostly expressionless, save for the slight frown on her lips and the flash of fear in her eyes. And then I just barely hear him say, “You’re going to regret it, you fucking cunt.”
Every ounce of control inside of me snaps. My poor Ava goes pale, and I fucking lose it. He’s not going to do that shit to her. I’ll make sure he never fucking touches her again. I’m quick to pull out my gun and shoot him right in his fucking kneecap. Before I’m aware that I’ve even moved, I’m on him, standing over his body as he’s clutching his leg and cussing rather than reaching for his own gun. Fucking stupid shit.
“Motherfucker!” he screams, as blood covers his hands and pools in the dirt under his knee.
“You’ll fucking die for this, Kane.” I smirk back at him as I hear the Valettis come to stand around us. I’m sure they have their guns drawn and pointed at me, but I don’t look. I won’t take my eyes off this fucker until he’s dead.
“Not before you.” He makes a move for his gun and I shoot his hand as it reaches his belt. I’m a good shot. The bullet goes right through his hand. Blood pours from the wound as he curls inward and covers it with his left hand.
“Fuck!” He screams and winces as blood soaks his clothes and pools around him. It’s gushing from his hand, but also his knee now that he isn't keeping pressure on it.