Davis, P.O. V.
After today there's no way Lisa will be leaving my side ever again. I won't lose her, not the same way I lost Grace. I didn't want to show her this dark side of me, but it was impossible to hold it back after what I'd seen when I came in. She was hurt, and he was about to attack her again. I could see the hunger in his eyes as he looked at her. He wanted her body and there was no way in hell I would ever let him have it. He'll learn today to associate looking at her with absolute pain.
I just hope Lisa doesn't leave me after she sees this dark side of me.
Daniel was still trying to recoup from the pain that I am sure was seething in his back. I was trying to break his back, but I guess I didn't throw him hard enough, as his legs were still squirming on the ground. Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt again, I lifted him up slightly, punching him right in the face a few times. He was hard to recognize now, with his nose and eye socket broken.
It didn't feel like enough. I could just imagine the cruel things he wanted to do to her and every time I did, my anger would rise to new heights. It was impossible for me to stay calm and, as such, I just continued to beat Daniel to the point I'd broken his ribs and one of his arms. I stood, seeing Daniel unconscious from the pain now. It seemed pointless to beat him any further if he wasn't awake for it. When I turned around, I realized that Lisa was not where I had left her. In my anger I had forgotten that Chris was here as well and that his younger brother was probably not the best fighter.
I'm not sure how I feel about the kid. On the one hand, he called me and told me everything that was happening with Lisa, asking me to come and save her. On the other hand, he didn't do anything himself to help her aside from call me. Yet here he is, battered and bloody, but fighting alongside Lisa. Maybe he's not so bad. Lisa was pummeling Chris' face in as he began to fall to the floor before her. She looked powerful with her fist bloodied and her hair a tattered mess from the fight.
I'd never been so turned on before.
It wasn't the fact that she was being violent, it was the fact that she was strong. She has grown strong these past couple of months with me. I knew that, but knowing it and seeing it are two different things. I couldn't help the smile that stretched across my face as I watched her stand triumphantly over Chris. Making my way towards them, I grabbed Lisa and picked her up. It's time to go.
"Come with me," I motioned for the younger brother to follow. The kid was a solid B in my book. He did what he could, but what he could do wasn't enough. "You can't be here when the cleaners come."
"Cleaners?" The younger brother asked.
"Professionals. They owe me a favor. They'll handle the clean-up of what I did to your dad. I only ever use them when it's more legally demanded. If I ever maim someone or kill someone, they are the ones I call to come clean up my mess. They're pricey as hell, but they are good," I explained to them both, because even though Lisa is not saying a word, I know she's curious about it.
"Do you do this often?" He asked, seeming both intrigued and concerned.
"Not to this extent. If I hurt someone this badly, it's because they've hurt someone I love."
Lisa leaned her head into my shoulder more as she heard my words. She seemed so exhausted now, crashing from the adrenaline I am sure had been pumping through her body.
"You did good, my little warrior, but don't think you're off the hook."
She wasn't being safe today, and I hated that the most. Mandy wasn't here like Lisa said she would be. Hell, her father wasn't even here. I'm not sure what happened in there, but I'll get her to tell me everything after she rests.
"You can come to my house until they're done, although I would suggest you get a place to stay outside of this house. Your family doesn't seem like the forgiving type and you helped us out a little too obviously today."
The boy grimaced as he realized I was right. He held the back of his neck with both his hands, pulling on it as he looked up at the sky. Probably contemplating life at the moment.
"In that case, I will grab my things. Do I have time to do that before your 'cleaners' get here?"
"You got 10 minutes, kid. Grab the essentials and come with me."
I think I'm turning soft with age. It seems I'm collecting broken children. I can tell I'm going to have to take care of this kid now, too. He seems lost and I'm sure with a father like Daniel, he'll be cut off the moment he regains consciousness.
I put Lisa in her car, wishing I could drive her, but I couldn't leave my bike behind. Not after the beating I gave Daniel. I kissed her forehead, still waiting for her to say anything to me. As I went to close the door, I heard her whisper.
"Thank you."
I pulled that door open again, squatting down beside her. I grabbed her hand tenderly and waited for her to meet my eyes. It took her a moment, but when those eyes met mine they misted with tears.
"I'm sorry, Davis. I really thought I could do it. It wasn't supposed to go like that. I never expected dad to leave, and then they-"
I didn't let her finish, pulling her to my chest and holding her tight. She cried on my shoulder, finally letting the emotions she had been holding back out. When I heard the kid's footsteps on the pavement making his way towards us, Lisa composed herself. She didn't want him to see her cry, trying to keep her appearance strong.
"I'll take him in my car, and we' ll meet you at home," she told me, pulling out of my embrace.
I cupped her face, not wanting her to feel like she couldn't let her true emotions out near me. I hope she knows that I don't think she is weak for crying. On the contrary, I think it makes her stronger.
"I love you, Lisa. You' re so strong, and when we get home I want to hear all about what happened in there. I'll wipe those tears away so don't be afraid to shed them in front of me."
She nodded her head lightly, staring deep into my eyes, straight into my soul. I leaned in, giving her a quick kiss before letting her go.
"Get in kid. She's taking you to my place, and then we can figure out what to do with you."
"Okay, thank you."
He had a dark green bag hung loosely over his shoulder. Whatever he thought was essential was in that bag, and would speak volumes as to what kind of man he is. I am curious what he has in there, but I don't think he'd willing let me search it.
I let Lisa leave ahead of me, calling Val to come and clean up this mess for me. I didn't want her to meet him or his crew, or for them to know I had someone like her in my life. The less they know about me the better in the end. The line rang once before he answered. He's always been quick to answer his calls.
"Give me the address, and I'll have someone there in 5 minutes."
He already knew what I wanted. It's really the only reason anyone calls this number. "Quick as always, Val."
"Oh shit, Davis?" He sounded so surprised to hear me. I haven't called him in a few years. The last time was to clean up Carter's mess. He really did a number on a wealthy billionaire who had invited his younger sister to a party and forced her to do things she didn't want to. That man was an inch away from death when I finally stopped Carter. Can't kill the wealthy ones as easily as the dark criminals.
"Yeah, man. It's been a while. I need a cleanup crew to the Darnell's mansion. No one is dead, but they do need to be threatened to keep silent. Very proud men here."
"Easy, I'll send Arc, and Sal. Payment has gone up since we last spoke, Davis."
Shit.
"How much?"
"A quarter mill now, but for a good friend like you I'll only charge you 200 grand."
"Cut the shit, Val. You are not charging anyone that much. You wouldn't have any clients if you were."
Val laughed, knowing I had caught him in his lie.
"Can't get past you." He sighed. "It's 100 grand. The wire transfer is still the same. I expect the money tomorrow or they' ll be knocking on your door next."
"Don't threaten me, Val. You know better than that. Money will be in there tonight."
He was starting to piss me off, so I decided to pull a Derek and just hang up without saying goodbye. I see why he does it now. It's quite satisfying.
I swung my leg over, mounting my motorcycle and letting it come to life beneath me. I tore that cast off my leg the moment the kid called and told me what was happening. My leg hurt, but not terribly. It did make riding my bike a lot easier, so with a smile on my face I raced out of this hellhole, and towards my Lisa.
Time to hear what happened.