Christian (The Mitchell/Healy Family #3)(41)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“No! I’d rather you not go and talk to me now.”

“Christian, from the moment I found out what that guy did to you I wanted to hurt this guy. He needs to pay for what he did to you. He needs to be taught a lesson; one that will make sure he never hurts another woman again. Don’t you get it? If I do nothin’ than I’ll feel like I didn’t do enough. This is as much for me as it is for you. He deserves much worse than a beatin’. You can’t lie in that bed and tell me that it wouldn’t bring a smile to your face knowin’ his pussy-ass is kissin’ the concrete of some dark parkin’ lot? There’s got to be some part of you that wants him to pay for what he’s done.”

“I do, but I can’t let you entertain this idea to seek out revenge. You’re not a superhero, or an idiot. He could come back at you with assault charges. I don’t feel like high-fiving you as we pass in a court room. Be rational.”

“I can’t. You can be mad if you want, but I’m goin’ out there tonight. He’s goin’ to learn that messin’ with you was the wrong choice.”

I rolled my eyes feeling like nothing I said was going to change his mind. “You sound like a jealous boyfriend. You’re makin’ no sense.”

“Yeah, well maybe that’s what I was. I got to get goin’, babe. I’ll come see you in the mornin’.”

When I realized he’d hung up I quickly redialed his number. When he failed to answer I knew there was nothing I could do to stop him. Ethan was going to do what he felt was necessary. I was so distraught, so worried he was making a mistake, that I couldn’t possibly close my eyes to rest.

As much as I appreciated him going out on a limb for me, I couldn’t exactly condone his actions. I continued trying to get him to answer his phone for nearly thirty-minutes. As the clock passed ten I knew it was too late. The night nurse came in and gave me medication in my IV. I could feel myself dozing. I knew Ethan’s meeting was out of my hands, but as my body let go, I prayed silently that when I woke up I’d see Ethan’s face smiling back at me. I didn’t know what I’d do if something bad happened to him, especially because it had everything to do with me.

Chapter 26

Ethan

There was only one thing running through my mind during my drive to the library parking lot.

Retribution.

Seth needed to pay for what he’d done to my girl, and I was going to make sure I was the one doing the punching. Once I’d put a hurting on him I’d let him know that if he ever laid a hand on a woman again I’d be back to give it to him double.

Christian’s pleas hadn’t made me feel bad enough to go back on my plan. I wasn’t going to be content with what happened until he’d felt everything he’d done to her.

When I pulled up in the dark lot I noticed I was the only vehicle. There was a chance that Seth hadn’t gotten the message, but there was also a possibility that he’d chosen to not meet me in fear of getting his ass beat.

My heart rate increased the moment I watched someone approaching my car on foot. I could tell it was Seth when he got closer into view. I didn’t hesitate when I jumped out of the vehicle and approached him. “I’m here, let’s talk.” He swung his arms open, as if to taunt me.

“I ain’t here to talk. I’m here to listen to you beg for mercy, because there ain’t no way my friend is lyin’ about what you did to her.”

Where I come from you don’t wait to be taken down. You make the first and the last move. At the very last minute I watched as he saw my arm coming around and lifted his to protect his face. I didn’t pause as I brought my arm back to send a second blow. His jaw cracked as my fist made contact with the skin and sent him down to the ground. “Get up!” I ordered.

He came after me, trying to take me out at my waist. “Fuck you! I didn’t rape your friend.”

I lifted my knee at the right moment, clipping him in the neck as his body made contact with mine. He rolled on the ground, clutching his throat.

I stepped forward, prepared to kick him while he was already down.

Seth covered his face with both hands again. “Wait! I didn’t come here to fight. You’ve got to believe me. She wanted it. She begged me to take her to that house. She didn’t want to get caught by my ex. I’ll take you there and tell you everything. Come on, man. You’ve got to believe me.”

“You’ve got to be fuckin’ kiddin’ me. Why would I want to go anywhere with you? I already know what happened. I’ve heard every detail.” If he thought that taking me back to where it happened was going to somehow make me change my mind, he was mistaken. All I wanted to do was crush every bone in his body. I wanted him to suffer an excruciating pain, reminding him every second what he’d done to my girl.

“We’re goin’ to head over to where it happened. You’re goin’ to give me a blow by blow, and then I’m goin’ to decide how to end this.” I wanted to laugh, but it was very obvious this guy was scared shitless. This was his idea first, and now he was cowering over it.

“You’re insane. I changed my mind. I’m not going anywhere with you.” Blood ran out of his mouth as he spoke, and he kept spitting it out onto the ground. “My friends know I’m here. They’ll call the police if I’m not back within the hour.”

“You think I’m scared of your friends, or the police? Look around, asshole. We’re out in the open. I just kicked your ass where everyone could watch. I ain’t scared of the cops, and I sure as hell ain’t scared of your threats. Now, if you know what’s good for you you’ll get in that car and drive us over to the abandoned house you raped my friend in. You can make this hard, or you can cooperate. It’s your choice.”

“Why would I be stupid enough to let you take me to that house now, when I know you’re planning to hurt me more? You think I want to die? Forget it. I’m not going. You can suck my fat dick.”

I grabbed him by the arm, pulling him to a standing position. “You’re going to explain your side of the story. Then I’ll leave. You have my word.” What I left out was yet to be determined.

This part of my attack was unnerving because I was acting on pure rage. I wasn’t being rational, and I didn’t know if I’d be spending the night in a cell for assault on this douche. I needed to teach him a lesson, and since I knew he was scared of what I could do to him, I had his undivided attention.