Page 13 of Traitor

Putting her out of my mind, I turn back to the dude in the car and see he’s as much of a douche as his ride. “Don’t come back,” I tell him.

“Or what? Gonna kill me, too?”

“What’d he say?” Mercy screeches.

I lift a hand and gesture for her to get her ass inside. To the douche, I say, “You wanna try me and find out?”

He considers it for all of two seconds before he puts the car in reverse.

“Smart choice,” I tell him and slam the door.

I watch as he speeds out of the driveway until I can no longer see him.

Mercy is waiting for me as soon as I go back in the house.

“I’m so sorry,” she says. Her makeup is smeared, and her eyes are watery. The redness around her eyes is already starting to darken.

Adrenaline still pulses in my veins. It worries me more than a little how much I missed this feeling. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Next time don’t bring assholes like that around my place, though, Mercy.” I glance at Lexie, who’s hovering in the doorway that leads to the kitchen.

“I won’t, I promise,” Mercy says, and then wraps her arm around her daughter. They both go into the kitchen as I close up the front door.

I couldn’t protect my men, but I damn sure won’t let anything happen to the people I care about.