Page 234 of Love Me in the Dark

My stomach rolled with nausea.

“You did this to her?” David asked, his fingers curling into fists.

Jason turned back to David with a sneer. “You know what a cold bitch she can be. She just needed a little training, and when I heard that you were in the business, I knew you would be just the guy to handle her for me.”

I pushed the door of the truck open and jumped out.

“What’s she doing in that dress?” Jason asked, pointing at me as I stepped toward them.

David put his hand up to stop me and I froze in place. His jaw was tight, his full attention on Jason.

“You aren’t taking her anywhere,” David announced firmly.

“We already had a deal, Davey-boy. No going back.” Jason’s facade faded and the asshole I knew for over fifteen years came forward. “She’s mine.”

David drew his gun and pointed it at Jason. “You take one step in her direction, and you’ll never see the light of day again.”

“What the fuck is this? What… did you fall for her again? Man, didn’t you learn last time what happens when you get in my way?” Jason stepped forward, puffing his chest like a peacock. As though he could scare David away with such a weak move.

“Yeah. I got a good idea what happens when you don’t get your way.” David cocked his gun, moving his finger to hug the trigger.

“Jason,” I called to him. “Just go. Just go home.” I waved my hand at him. “I won’t tell anyone about this, and you can just go home.”

The little wrinkles around Jason’s eyes deepened. He had no concept of what sort of trouble he was looking at. He really thought he had the upper hand.

“Go home? Fuck no. I paid top dollar for your ass, and you’re coming with me. But I sure as fuck don’t want you this way.” Hepulled out his phone. “You’re going to another trainer. One that will do the fucking job right. I want you on your damn knees, Gabriella.”

“Never gonna happen,” David said, then squeezed the trigger, sending a single bullet straight through Jason’s forehead while he was still tapping his fingers against the screen of his phone. Birds flew from the trees above with the sound of the gun, but then there was silence.

Jason fell backward, landing on his back on the gravel driveway.

My scream stuck in my chest. A burst of emotions clogged my throat.

“Gabby.” David tucked his gun back into his jeans. “Go inside, Gabby.” He hurried to me, blocking my view of Jason’s dead body. Blood already pooled beneath him, spreading through the pebbles.

David grabbed my face with his hands and drew me to look at him. “Go inside. Here are the keys.” He pulled a small set of keys from his pocket and pushed them into my hand. “I’ll be inside soon. Just stay inside. No, don’t look at him. He’s not going to hurt you.”

“You killed him.” I brought my gaze back to David’s. There was no remorse there, no fear or panic, just resolve.

“He wasn’t getting one finger on you. Now, go inside.” He let go of my face and gave me a little shove. “Go!” he barked, smacking my ass when I remained frozen to the ground.

I nodded and as though my body went into autopilot mode, I walked up the steps to the front door and shoved the key into the lock. When I looked over my shoulder, David was still blocking Jason’s body from me. His arms were crossed over his chest and his firm glare fixed on me.

My nerves settled. David would take care of this. I just needed to trust him.

13

David

The cleanup crew finished,taking away Jason’s body to be disposed of, however the fuck they handled that, within an hour. I stood on the front porch watching the truck with his body inside and his Bronco making their way down the path toward the main road.

Damien hadn’t been thrilled with the situation, but since Jason had been stupid enough to pay upfront, there wasn’t any money lost. Which meant, other than having the cleanup fee taken from my cut, no bad blood existed.

With that resolved, I set my thoughts to what I had to do next. Saying goodbye to Gabby had been the intention since I found her in my kennel barely two weeks ago. But now that the time was here, waves of nausea rolled over me.

I found her in my bedroom, sitting against the headboard, hugging her knees to her chest. The same way I’d found her in the kennel. Only this time, she was clean and clothed.

“When you get home, there’s going to be questions.” I leaned against the dresser, shoving my hands into my front pockets.