“What?” I ask, without thinking.
“On your fucking knees,” he says.
I do what he asks, feeling the cold, scaly dirt break against my kneecaps.
“You ever suck dick before, baby?” Both the men laugh, and I hear a zipper scrape down.
I hear Rowan’s voice. “Suck this,” he says.
He throws a blade, lodging it directly into one of the man’s back.
“Fuck!” he screams, falling to the dirt.
I grab my shoe and hit him across the cheek. It’s the first time I’ve ever hit anyone in my life, and I’m glad it was him.
He clutches the knife in his side, howling like a baby. His friend attempts to run away, but I see Rowan with his gun.
Aiming, he takes a deep breath. He fires twice, and the guy drops like a ton of bricks.
Rowan holsters his weapon and jumps toward me, shielding me. “Are you okay?” he asks.
“Rowan, what the fuck just happened?” I manage to ask.
“I just saved your life,” he says, picking me up into his arms.
He carries me over to my door, right where he let out the snake the other night. He uses my keys and softly puts me on my bed. I’m spinning, but not from being drunk. I’m just so terrified.
“You said you don’t kill innocent things,” I whisper. “How did you… why did you kill him?”
“I don’t kill innocent animals,” he nods. “Those two morons were not innocent animals. Would you have rather they raped you like they wanted?”
I feel the shock slip over my body. My blood feels cold and sharp, like glass. My heartbeat has become nonexistent.
I’m bathing in pure panic.
“No,” I admit.
I nearly start bawling, but I can’t tell if that’s the right thing to do right now. Nothing is making much sense. “Why were they looking for you?” I ask.
“Fuck if I know,” he says, glancing outside to make sure they’re still dead in their tracks.
“You have to call the police, Rowan,” I plead. “You have to. You acted in self-defense. They’ll understand.”
“There’s no way in hell I’m calling any police,” he says. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”
“Rowan, no.”
I keep at it, even thoug
h my body is starting to weaken on me. I feel tired, like I’m about to drift off into sleep. The adrenaline I felt minutes ago has now begun to wear off.
“Don’t go,” I say, giving up the fight.
“Don’t worry. I’m not leaving,” he says. “I’ll stay right here. You won’t get hurt.”
My knight in shining armor is a beast on two wheels. There are too many questions I need to ask, but for now, I don’t want any answers.
I’m just grateful he saved me.