The Protectors: New Generation Book 1

57 - Lookin' Down The Barrel Of A Gun - Michaela POV

Estel and I make it to Dallas, and the plane's changing of altitude doesn't help my stomach or my head. We check into a hotel and decide to walk around the town center.

"Well, if it isn't Michaela Misery." Someone sneers from behind me.

I cringe before I turn and plaster a smile. "Patty-Cake. How's it goin'?"

"You know, I hate that nickname."

"And you obviously don't care if I like mine or not, so why shouldn't I return the courtesy."

"You're still a bitch."

"And I bet you're still the bastard you were back then. Hijo de puta."

"I have a great life."

"I bet you do. Who is this?" pointing at the girl at his side. "Lay number 48, wife number 4 or just your latest try at a conquest?"

The woman looks back and forth between Pat and me.

"Mi loba. Not here." Estel states.

"Madre, un pico. El cabron. Se merece un poco de recompensa."

"Madre? I thought your parents were dead."

"So are yours, but this woman adopted me. Much better than where I was."

"Who would adopt you?" Pat scoffs.

Estel steps out from behind me, and she looks rather scary. Her eyes are now a cognac color rather than the usual chestnut.

"Me. Do you have a problem?"

"Life is grand for me. No complaints here."

"I didn't ask if you had complaints or not. I asked if you have a problem."

I just thought Estel was scary before.

"Sweetheart, how about going shopping for a minute." Estel says to the girl. When she doesn't leave immediately, Estel starts again. "Now! It wasn't a suggestion." The girl is slow. "Today!" and the wind whips a little. The girl goes off then.

"Hey! What's that about? She's with me, not you." Pat protests.

"And does she know about your past?"

Pat smirks. "I have a great past."

"Really?" Estel asks before debris starts moving around.

"Great for you, but was it great for the people you terrorized?"

He says nothing, just grins. "Was it great for the girls you took advantage of?"

He smiles again.

"Was it great for the girls you raped?"

A gasp sounds from the alley, and we look to see that the girl hadn't left.

"Let me guess. He forced himself on you and made you believe it was your fault or that you deserved it or, heaven forbid, that he is the best thing that's come into your life?"

She's mute, but she nods.

"He's not any of those things. He's a bully, an emotional terrorist, and a parasite."

Pat is now turning red.

Estel says something again, and before I can blink, Pat has drawn a gun.

He points the gun between us and the alley.

"You two are real pains in my ass. Now you've caused me to have to work with this one again, or I might be forced to find a replacement. Let's go to the alley."