Blood Ties

Three

He was trying to run away. He tried to push her away and found himself pulling her tighter to him. River couldn't do that, not when Isabella had a whole other life and it didn't include him. Respecting that it was he was trying to do until he heard the commotion.

Some man was jerking her up and she was crying telling him to stop. Hell Hath no fury like an assassin pissed the fuck off. River tossed the barely smoked cigarette and was moving. So much for blending into the shadows.

He felt a hard hand shove him back. Carter was standing there, bloodied from the boxing match. The voice low and stern, "Get your hands off my sister..."

"What are you going to do pretty boy?" The blonde growled. He tossed Bella to the floor behind him, possessive like a dog over a bone.

"I'm next in line to be the Don, motherfuck. Do you want the heat the Mafia on your neck? Oh.. Wait.. It wouldn't go that far..." Carter growled out.

River had enough. Talking wasn't going to get them anywhere. He shoved Carter towards Bella and swung. He felt pain shoot through his arm when his knuckles connected on the guy's jaw.

He wasn't done yet. River was on him, swinging. They were controlled, well as controlled as he could get with the anger that seemed to be coming out of him. A searing rage that he had been holding back just coming out. He stood up when the guy had stopped struggling. A few hits were nothing compared to what he had just done.

River turned and his eyes met Bella's. He was certain he had fucked up. Did he care? In the moment, no but he would if it caused her to walk out completely. Carter stood rather baffled in the moment.

Neither unphased but the animosity that River seemed to have but it would be noted on later. They'd have to talk about it. It wasn't often they beat someone so close to death and just walk away like River was choosing to do.

There was no mercy for the guy. He walked away, and Carter sent Bella after him. She reluctantly reached the SUV. River was standing on the other side, broad shoulders faced towards her. She took the moment to admire the man he became. The man she missed growing with.

"Take me home... I want to see my father.." Bella demanded, causing River to jump. The cigarette falling from his hands. The was a disapproving look but he just mumbled out that it was fine. He could do that for her.