Why was I desperate to hear the words?
I needed absolute confirmation of what I believed was true. Then, I’d figure out how to end Mr. Wizard. Remove him from my life forever.
He shrugged as if bored. “She went peacefully. I did love her… a little.”
A shudder ripped through me as his confession seared into memory. Disgust and fury waged war inside me. I wanted him to pay for everything he’d done to Momma and me.
Willow’s crying picked up as Luna wiggled to get loose. It stole the attention, giving Brad the opportunity to crawl behind my desk.
I noticed my tote bag and remembered what was in it. The night before Hero went on the run with Storm and the others, he gave me something…
“I want you to carry this with you always.”
A small bottle was placed in my hand. “What’s this?” It certainly wasn’t a romantic gift, like one of the chains from around his neck.
“I can’t leave you vulnerable,mi vida. If I’m not with you, you need to be able to protect yourself.”
“Protect myself? Isn’t that what Lynx and Copper are for?” I sassed him, then promptly felt guilty for not making things right with Copper. I would soon… eventually. I read the label. “Mace is going to protect me?” I screwed up my face.
Hero tugged me into his arms and spanked my ass. “You and that smart mouth—”
“That you love so much wrapped around your pretty pecker.”
His hand made contact with my bottom again, harder than the first time. It stung a bit through my leggings. Made me yip and wet all at once.
I smiled broadly, pressing my tits into his chest. “Stop turning me on.”
Heat and desire bellowed between us as we stared into each other’s eyes. My heart fluttered, mouth thirsting for his.
When I was with Hero, I felt like I could conquer the world. Battle the scariest monsters. Survive any situation I found myself in. His strength and courage seemed to flow in my veins as if they had always been there. I absorbed the love and support he gave me into my bones. Not once feeling judged for my brokenness.
Because of Hero, I could rise above anything Daddy had done to me.
“Just keep the damn can in your bag,mi vida.I know you’re a badass and can handle anything.” He squeezed my butt cheek. “Fierce and magnificent.” He kissed me passionately, revving me up. “I can’t lose you, baby.”
Love poured out of him. It was in his actions and the way he looked at me. I didn’t need to hear the words. I felt it in the deepest, most hidden parts of my soul. Hero Fuentes loved me beyond words.
Not only had Hero given me the mace, but he also gave me a switchblade. If I could only get to the bag…
“Willow, enough,” Paul shouted, stomping toward her. He raised his hand and struck her across the face.
She cried out in pain, releasing Luna to cover her cheek with her hand. “Why are you doing this?” She cowered, terror in her wild eyes.
“You need to learn how Mr. Wizard likes things. There is to be no crying. None. So shut your fucking mouth!”
Oh, God. My childhood roared back on the Crazy Express. I wanted off this fucking train.
He grabbed Willow by the neck and got in her face. Profanity spewed into the atmosphere.
I’d heard it all before. Experienced his erratic behavior and wrath. As much as I felt terrible for Willow, Paul was distracted. This was my chance to get to my bag.
Hurry.
Move.
Hurry.
I slide my leg off the table. It wasn’t so bad, though I was stiff for lying in one spot for so long. I threw the other over and made a dash for my bag, just as Paul slapped Willow again. He was so lost in his anger, he didn’t notice me. Totally typical in the world he lived in.