He pockets his phone, his eyebrows raised.
This is the part where things go off the rails.
“I hope every step is painful for the rest of your life,” I say quietly. “I hope the agony can’t be fixed, and you’re constantly reminded that this is because you made a strong woman vulnerable. You ripped away her ability to feel safe around men.”
“I–”
I bring the crowbar down on his knee.
His plea, whatever it was going to be, is cut off in a howl of pain. I take my anger out on his leg until there’s no fucking doubt that I’ve shattered something. Bone or joint–I don’t care. He screams, over and over, until Tyler catches the crowbar and yanks it out of my hand.
Tyler darts forward and punches him,hard, in the temple.
It’s an easy lights out.
His head drops onto his chest, and we’re left staring at the bloody mess of his leg. It doesn’t even really look like a limb anymore.
“That was not in the playbook,” Tyler says slowly.
I shrug. “He crossed the line first.”
“We should get out of here.” Tyler pulls me back then slowly cuts our captive free. He unravels the tape and stuffs it in his pocket then pauses. “What he said was disgusting.”
I nod.
He shoves him, and the big guy crashes to the floor.
“Okay. I feel better.” Tyler leads the way outside. “Now what?”
“Now, we let Scar decide.” I tip my head. “Eh, plus a little extra.”
He groans. “Great. Improvising again.”
“You love it.”
[ 35 ]
CROSS
“Cross,”Scarlett hisses. “Where are we going?”
“You’re being very pessimistic.” I glance at her then sling my arm around her shoulders. “Are you cold?”
“Do I look cold?”
“Some people shiver when they’re nervous,” I reason. “And I did wake you up in the middle of the night so you could experience this.”
She scoffs. “I’m notnervous.”
“After everything that’s happened?” I raise my eyebrow. “No post-traumatic stress? No anxiety? How’s the therapy going?”
Her cheeks redden. “It’s going.”
Once we got back home after the kidnapping incident—as I’m kindly referring to it as—Scar and her dad had a heart-to-heart about why she left Yale. The family decision was therapy. I went a few times, but I think it wasn’t a good fit. She, on the other hand, seems to like her therapist.
Anyway. We finished out the spring semester at Shadow Valley U, and we’re home for the summer before going back for our final year.
Our parents have grudgingly accepted that we’re…dating.
