Destruction, Denial and Devotion

Prologue: An Abandoned Warehouse in New Orleans [Part 2]

Here is the second part of the prologue. Please comment or vote, anything really. I'll post the next one before the end of the work week.

-Jane

December 21, 2013, 1:38 AM

He stood there glorified, with an immense amount of anger rushing through his body, balling up in his core, searing hot pulses through his body.

The vigilantes were dead for laying a single hand on her, for even thinking it was okay to touch what was his. Desmond may have been possessive, even over bearing at times, but never once did he lay a single hand on her, so he’d be damned if they got to first.

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” It wasn’t meant as a question. Desmond spoke with a commanding voice, one that shook the floor of the warehouse with its loud boom.

Lauren shrunk back at the sound of his voice. Yep, he was still terrifying. Same old Desmond under there, knowing no boundaries with his stiff demeanor.

She was just happy he wasn’t a vigilante himself, he’d create more havoc than the other five all put together, with an already notorious reputation without doing any thing “bad.” 

Desmond stepped forward towards Rick, his face on fire from anger, loving the thought of releasing all his pent up emotion on the fool. He clenched his hands into tight fists, his knuckles going white, aching to make contact with the boy’s face.

Rick smirked. “Look, bud. It’s five against one. Now, if I were you I’d just tuck that tail of yours in between your legs and start running. You have no business being involved with our little…fun.” His friends behind him let out a laugh.

He started to move towards Lauren again, to pick her up of the ground.

“Take one more step towards her, and I’ll kill you,” Desmond said lowly. Lauren shivered at his voice, the octave of it was so low that it almost sounded like a growl.

She was so scared. What had she gotten herself into? Lauren didn’t want anyone to get hurt, especially Desmond, although somewhere inside her she knew that he didn’t need the help.

The fear was obvious on her face as she paled into a light color, her blue eyes looking petrified.

Rick couldn’t resist the urge to taunt him, the ass hole that was making a fool out of him. His own friends would mock him after this. This guy should have already been on his miserable way.

He placed his foot one step closer to Lauren, who was quickly getting up. “What ’cha going to do about it, hot shot?”

Rick laughed, taking his eyes off Desmond, which was a big mistake.

Desmond went for him in a fury of rage. “I’ll show you what I’m going to do about it!”

He tackled Rick to the ground, pinning him down. Fist after fist he pummeled the boy, until blood was streaking down his face. Even when he became unconscious, he kept going, so angry at them, there was no controlling his anger.

The boy laid on the ground, mangled in a relaxed position. He looked to be asleep, with his limbs limp on the ground, eyes closed. There would be a lot of pain when he woke up, due to Desmond’s rage.

As he kept hitting, his torso twisting to get more range, a scream broke out, and a frail arm latched onto his.

“Desmond, please. I’m okay. Please, stop.”

He had stopped in mid motion to look at her, eyes swollen and red from her crying, and cheeks glistening from her salty tears. His heart clenched, he felt like such a jerk.

He stood up and took her in his arms, holding her close to his body. She was close enough that she could smell the cologne and the sweetness of his natural skin, intoxicating her.

            Lauren clung to him, thankful for his presence, wanting nothing more than getting out of here.

He took her by her wrist and proceeded to pull her out of the building.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she got to the door, if only she could keep it together a little longer. It had been a rough day, and she was happy that by some miracle he had found her.

“Where do you think you’re taking her?” It was the blond speaking, Riley.

Desmond stopped and turned around, glaring at them. “I’m taking her home. Unless any of you want to look like your friend, then I suggest you leave me be.”  

Then he walked to the door, pushing it open with his other hand, leading them back into the alley way.

Lauren could see the planes of his back, working with the muscle underneath his jacket as he walked. She wondered how he found her, or why he even dared to care enough to go after her. It wasn’t that she didn’t think that she was worth saving, his demeanor was just off. She didn’t think that he was even capable of feeling emotions until today.

“Are you angry at me?” His back was stiff and he walked quickly as if he wanted to get away from her.

He stopped where he was and pushed her against the concrete wall of a decaying building. “I’m not angry.” His hands were on either side of her, trapping her against the wall. “I’m frustrated with your stupidity. Did you really think it was okay to walk home alone at this hour? You really could have been hurt, Lauren.”

Her heart twisted. He cared. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you cared.” She shifted to look down at her feet, not wanting to look into his judging eyes.

He sighed in defeat, letting his hands hang by his side. “Where’s your phone?”

She looked at him confused. “What are-” he gave her a hard stare. “My back pocket.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her off the wall, slipping his hand into her back pocket. He pulled her phone out quickly, grazing her jeans, and began to punch in numbers.

“Here.” He held the silver phone back to her in his big hand.

Hesitantly, she reached out and took it into her small hand. “What did-”

He cut her off. “Make a deal with me.” His statement was raw, his voice raggedy with a sincere grace to it.

“What kind of deal?” She wondered what he wanted.

Whatever it was, he must have had a good reason for it.