Page 38 of Burn the World Down

I added another one to her stomach. She made a sound, and I smoothed my hand over her hair again, soothing her.

Landon checked the bullet wound on her upper arm. The bullet had left a nasty crease in her bicep. I ground my teeth together. He cleaned and bandaged it.

“I’ll leave some painkillers. She needs rest. I’ll check on her tomorrow. Clean up the blood and get her in some clean clothes.”

“I’ve got it.”

“She’s underweight.”

“She won’t be for long.” I rubbed the strands of her hair through my fingers. “Thanks, Landon.”

With a nod, he collected his bag. “Call me if she needs anything.” Then he was gone.

Carefully, I stripped Georgie out of her bloody clothes. I had to cut the hoodie off so I didn’t hurt her.

I uncovered a long, slim body that was too thin. She’d been running on stress, anger, and grief for too long.

We’d fix that. I gently unhooked her bra and pulled it off, leaving her panties on.

Hell. I tried not to look at her pretty, pink nipples. Despite the fact that she’d clearly lost weight, she still had full breasts. They were the perfect size.

You’re an asshole, Oakley.

I detoured to the bathroom and returned with a bowl of warm water and a cloth. I gently washed the blood off her skin.

“I promise, no one will ever hurt you again.” I rinsed the cloth in the bowl and squeezed. I wiped the blood away from her arm. “Whatever you need, I’ll get it for you. You’re done suffering, Georgie. If life wants to throw shit at you, I’ll stand in front of you and deflect it.”

The feelings I’d held back for years surged up. It was like a lock had been broken and a door flung open.

“I’ll protect you. I’ll kill for you. Whatever you need. Ifanyonetries to hurt you, I’ll burn the world down for you.” I stroked a strand of hair off her face. “Snyder, Bruno, and the others are going to pay.” Even in sleep, she turned her head, pressing her cheek into my palm.

My cellphone vibrated in my pocket. I’d turned off the ringtone so that it didn’t disturb her.

Pulling it out, I saw Bastian’s name on the screen.

I put it to my ear and rose from the bed. “Hey.”

“I’ve got Landon in my office. He said you’ve got your dream girl there.”

“Georgie. Her name’s Georgie.” I pulled in a breath, walking to the doorway so I didn’t disturb her. “Bastian, I need your help.”

“Anything, you know that. Landon’s mad as hell. Said she’s hurt badly. A bunch of guys way bigger than her beat her up.” There was disgust in Bastian’s voice.

“I need to find out everything you can find on a man called Dean Snyder, and the men he keeps around him. He owns a nightclub.”

“Shit.”

“You know him?”

“Yeah. He’s an asshole.”

I looked down at Georgie. “I’m well aware of that.”

“I don’t know him well, but I’m on it. I’ll find out whatever I can, along with whatever secrets he’s keeping. Whatever you and your girl need.”

My girl.

“Thanks, Bastian.”