Page 99 of Depths of Destruction

"Did he hurt you?" I gently stroke her cheek where he slapped her.

"No."

"I'm sorry I didn't protect you, baby."

New tears fill her eyes. "You did."

"No. I didn't."

And I'm never going to forgive myself.

She locks her hands behind my head. "Stop. We're okay. That's all that matters."

I shake my head, guilt and disgust pooling in my gut.

She lowers her voice. "You have blood on your face and shirt."

"Yes. Dirk shot both those goons when they were right next to me."

"Dirk?" Her forehead wrinkles.

"He showed up at a good time."

"But you're okay?" she asks.

"Yes. It's just blood, and not mine."

Her shaky hand touches my cheek.

"We need to get back to Tinker's."

She kisses me, and I tear myself away from her to drive back to Tinker's.

When I get there, Dirk is washing the floor, and Tinker is gone.

"Where's Tinker?"

"Disposal duty with Axel."

"Axel's here?"

"Yeah." He points to the kitchen. "Penelope and Zoe are in there."

"Is my sister here?" Naomi asks with hope in her eyes.

"No."

Her face falls, and it crushes me.

"She's okay. Promise. Go wash your hands,” I direct.

She peers at them, as if realizing for the first time they have spots of blood on them. She nods and goes into the kitchen.

"I've got another problem," I blurt out.

"What's that?" Dirk asks.

"I killed Darien in his hotel room."