Page 60 of Heartless

Helion managed to reverse, using my momentum against me until he had me pinned to the floor. I lifted one leg and wrapped it around his neck, flipped him. Locked my arm around his neck. I’d fucking choke him to death if I had to.

He flipped up, over my head and out of my hold. Suddenly he was behind me, his arm around my throat.

I threw an elbow to his face. Heard the bones in his nose break. Hit him again, harder.

An ion blast hit me in the side.

A second hit Helion.

“You two knock this shit off right now or I’ll throw you both out an airlock.” Commander Phan stood off to the side, blaster pointed right at us.

Neither one of us moved.

“God damn it.” She fired again. Twice.

The blast burned, lit the nerves on my entire side on fire. Broke a rib.

Maybe Helion was responsible for the rib.

“Enough, Chloe. Enough.” Helion groaned as he released me. We both rolled away from one another. Helion’s mouth and neck were soaked in blood. Fuck yes, broke that bastard’s nose.

My vision blurred. What the fuck?

I reached up to feel my forehead. Wet. I looked at my fingers. Coated with blood. When had that happened? Maybe that’s why my head felt like it was about to explode.

I pulled myself to my feet, disappointed to discover Helion had done the same.

Our gazes locked.

“Oh no you don’t.” Chloe stepped between us. “Don’t start that shit on my ship.”

“Apologies, Commander.” Not for making Helion bleed, but for making a mess on her ship.

“Save it.” She ran a hand through her hair and shook her head. Again. “You two have a problem.”

Helion didn’t speak, just glared at me.

I glared back.

“You two have a huge problem. Willow loves you, both of you. So, you better fucking figure out how to get along.”

“No.” Helion’s response was also mine.

No fucking way. She confided in me. Trusted me. Gave herself to me.Wantedme. The moment this mission was over I would claim her, name a second, and make sure she never had to see Helion’s arrogant face again.

This cold-hearted bastard would never touch her.Hurther.

Make her fucking cry. I could kill him for that alone. She’d been through enough. So much. He had no idea how strong she was. How incredible.

How fragile. She was just beginning to reach out, take chances,live.She was vulnerable right now. Barely getting her feet back under her, feeling confident.

I wasn’t about to allow Helion to fuck that up.

“Willow deserves better than you.” I dared Helion to deny the truth.

“I agree. But I’m not letting her go.”

“You don’t have a choice.”