Page 41 of Destined Chaos
I gripped the sting as the tears welled in my eyes and broke free.
“Now look what you made me do, Libby. But you’ll learn I don’t like sharp tongues.”
“Screw you,” I belted out through my hoarse voice.
“And you’ll learn not to hit women.” Hugh’s growl had me opening my eyes and lifting my gaze. Just as Peter turned toward the sound, I saw that Hugh had my crutch in his hand and swung it at Peter.
Peter took the hit like he hadn’t felt a thing.
I squirmed back as Peter rose to his full height. He grabbed Hugh around the neck even as Hugh sent uppercuts into Peter’s ribcage. He still acted unfazed.
“Peter, stop!” I yelled, clambering to stand with the use of my other crutch. “Please, you’re killing him.”
“It has to be this way, Libby. You have to see what I’m willing to do for you.”
My heart raced as I debated what to do. Hugh’s punches were turning softer as the blood drained from his face.
“Get the opponent on the ground,” I whispered, remembering my training.
I swung my crutch like a golf club right between Peter’s open legs as if I were trying to reach a golf green in one stroke.
Peter lost his hold on Hugh as he clutched his crotch and dropped to his knees. Targeted anger stared back at me, even if Peter was having a hard time forming a sentence. Once he recovered, we didn’t stand a chance.
I grabbed my crutch again, but Peter produced a knife. He jabbed it in the air in my direction, and Hugh finally landed a punch in Peter’s face. First one and then five, until blood covered my kitchen floor.
“Libby, call the police!” Hugh yelled, kicking the knife across the floor and away from Peter’s unconscious grip.
Hugh got between the both of us and used one of my crutches as a weapon. He only had to hit Peter once more before he went unconscious again. And then the police arrived.
Clark looked as though he’d just climbed out of bed, as did his two deputies. They’d talked to both Hugh and I separately to get each of our statements, but I had a feeling it was only for formality. The Bennett seven in this town weren’t trouble makers. Well, at least none I’d met yet.
Peter had moaned and regained consciousness as he was being treated and put onto a gurney. Clark had handcuffed him and followed the paramedics out the front door I only hoped the handcuffs held during the transport.
Dinner was heated up, not that either of us had much of an appetite. My lip was busted where Peter’s ring had caught it. My head was pounding, and even though Hugh said he was fine, the finger marks around his neck had yet to fade and his knuckles were swollen and bruised.
“I’m sorry.” My voice was quiet in the dark room as Hugh held me close.
“It’s not your fault,” he said, stroking my hair.
“Yeah, it is. If it weren’t for me, you and Peter would have never met and he would never have tried to kill you.”
Hugh’s finger stopped stroking. “I’d fight him a thousand times more if it meant meeting you. You’re important to me.”
“I’m not sticking around.” The words tasted sour coming out of my mouth as I reminded him of my ultimate plan. “And I don’t do relationships.”
He kissed my forehead and hugged me tighter. “I know. You keep reminding me. Now let’s get some sleep. I need my energy so I can change your mind in the morning.”
“Yeah, and how exactly do you plan to do that?”
“I can be very persuasive when I want to be.” He turned and dotted kisses on my neck.
I grinned. I liked his idea of persuasion. “Is that so? Because I should warn you, I can be kind of stubborn. You might have to try repeatedly.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” He rolled over onto me and trailed a path of kisses down my chest.
Oh yes, I was going to be stubborn, over and over again all night long.
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