Zero
He nodded to one of the men, who moved toward the bound woman, the nurse he’d taken from the hospital. Alan had a lot of eyes and ears. He looked forward to taking his time with this game, taking out everyone near Zero before finally killing him, himself. When Alan couldn’t get around, he paid people to do his work. There was always someone willing to do something for money.
Thinking about Prue, Alan smiled. She was going to be so sweet to finally break. The love between the two was strong. He’d seen the way Zero was with her, and it wouldn’t be long before he destroyed the pair of them.
The sound of fabric tearing and a feminine scream filled the air.
Turning toward the woman, the whore, the slut, he pressed the blade to her skin. Alan didn’t care anymore about the blood. Revenge would be sweet.
“I better warn you, whore, you will die here,” Alan said. “It’s nothing personal. You shouldn’t have touched Zero.” He pressed the blade against her skin and slid it downwards. Yes, the game was truly in motion.
Chapter Four
Zero stayed behind as the rest of the men left for the day. Running a hand over his face he looked at Prue, who was working over a puzzle. She’d got on with Eva and the others as if they were old family friends. Prue’s smile and sweet charm had always been refreshing for him. There was nothing fake about her, and she never tried to manipulate him. He watched her take sips from her drink and tuck her hair behind her ear as she nibbled on her lip, thinking. All of her actions drew him in. He’d never watched a woman’s actions before.
“Why do you keep staring?” she asked, glancing over at him.
“I don’t know. I’m pleased you’re alive.”
She smiled, sticking her tongue out at him. “I’m indestructible. You can’t kill me. I’m like a superhero or something.”
“You could have died, Prue. It’s not a laughing matter.”
“You’re going to be miserable, aren’t you?” She placed the magazine in front of her, dropping the pen on top of the machine.
“I’m being serious, and you could have died.” If the bullet had been an inch down he wouldn’t be sitting here talking to her. Losing her was not an option.
“Who gave you the shiner?” she asked, changing the subject.
“I deserved it.”
“Who gave it to you?” She gave him a pointed look. Growling at her, he stood up moving toward the window in her room.
“Nash gave it to me.”
“Great, I’ll remember the name. He can kick your ass for me.”
He turned toward her.
“Why did he hit you?”
“I’ve had a thing for his wife, and I about kissed her. I shouldn’t have gone anywhere near her, but I never listen to reason and so he hit me.” He shrugged. Sophia’s words had hit him square in the face. Nothing he ever did would make her go for him. She was in love with Nash, not him. Zero expected pain, but there was none.
“I’m sorry. What was all that about Steven?”
“Fucker is into you,” Zero said, feeling jealous of the younger man.
“So?”
“You want to be another whore in a whole line of them for Steven?” He folded his arms over his chest, facing her.
“I didn’t say I was going to jump into bed with him. Fuck, what is with you?” she asked, glaring. “You’re really bumming my mood at the moment. Do I need to kick your ass? Even being wounded I’d do it.”
Visiting time was over, but Sandy had organized for him to be with her. Sandy was pulling a lot of strings with this hospital. He was sure they were looking for any excuse to fire her ass.
“Sorry, nothing is with me.”
“You f**k everything that walks. One guy takes notice of me, and suddenly you’re throwing your weight around as if you were my boyfriend or something. Newsflash, we’re best friends.”
Her words cut him deeper than Sophia’s.
“I don’t want you hurt.”
“I’ve been hurt before, Zero. You were not there to mend my heart. In fact, the moment you’re done with needing me, you’re out the door,” she said, folding her own arms underneath her br**sts.
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is. The moment I didn’t need you to keep the nightmares away you were gone like a shot. After Trevor died and we buried him, you were gone. When you were needed back home with The Skulls, you were gone.” She named off every occasion he’d left her.
Whenever he was around her, he felt guilty.
It’s not just that.
Being around her always made him want something he could never have. He’d promised Trevor he would take care of her. Wanting his deceased friend’s sister was never going to happen. Prue knew him in ways other women would never get. She grew up with him and knew his parents didn’t want him. No one ever wanted him. Gritting his teeth together, he took a seat beside her.
“You mean the world to me, Prue. Nothing is allowed to happen to you.” He took her hand, but she pulled away from him.
“No, you don’t get to hide from me.”
“I don’t want you with Steven.” He yelled the words at her so she wouldn’t have a doubt of what was going through his mind.
“Why not?” She yelled back, never taking his shit.
A nurse peered into the room ordering them to be silent. Going to the door, Zero closed it, giving them privacy, before going back to the bed.
“I don’t want him near you. Please, do as I ask and don’t push me.”
She stared at him, collapsing against the bed. “You’re going to drive me crazy with all of these demands.” Prue grabbed the remote by the side of the bed, turning on the television.
“Is that a yes?”
“Steven is young, sweet even. I’m not going to be f**king the first guy who looks my way. I’m not that desperate,” Prue said. “I know how to take care of my needs.”
He tensed, thinking about her needs. “What?”
His c**k tightened. How did she take care of those needs?
Crap. Now all he saw was her pu**y. He didn’t know what she looked like down there, but he suddenly really wanted to know. Zero would be more than happy to be considered to help her with those needs.
She’s not yours.
Prue looked at him. “Are you a virgin?” she asked.
“No.”
“Then you know what needs I’m talking about. Geez, you don’t need to be a guy to need an orgasm or to get off.” She shook her head, flicking through the television. “I’m usually looking over the kids’ work now. How did the school take my absence?”