I didn’t want to arrive at Franklin’s home empty handed. I needed to bring along a bottle of… sparkling water? What were you supposed to gift someone who didn’t drink alcohol? I racked my brain for answers as I leaned into my bike, heading into town.

Deciding to take a shortcut, I turned left into a sketchier part of town. Here, the walls were covered in graffiti. Trash cans were abandoned on the side of the streets, filled with needles and rubber bands. Beggars slept in cardboard boxes, picking through their earnings for the day.

Up ahead, I spotted a couple. They seemed to be embracing one another. In the dying light, I couldn’t quite make out if they were kissing or not, but then again, it wasn’t really my place to stare.

I adverted my eyes, about to drive by when I heard the girl raise her voice. I couldn’t make out what she was saying over the rumble of my engine. I drove closer.

“Let go of me!” she screamed, raining her fists down on his chest to no effect. “You’re hurting me!”

I immediately came to a screeching halt right in front of them. My headlights shone in their direction. My eyes widened in surprise when I realized that it was Amelia trying to fight off my boss.

Something snapped inside of me. I jumped off my bike, letting it crash to the ground. My hatred for this man consumed me as I marched up to him.

He dropped Amelia, holding his hands up in innocence. This just pissed me off even further.

I pulled my fist back, aiming right for his face. I fueled my punch with everything I had, launching it forward.

He ducked, a grin etched on his face. “Oh, you’ll have to do better than that.”

I rounded quickly, keeping my eyes locked on his movements and trying to anticipate his actions. This guy wasn’t a typical corporate head. There was something hiding under the surface. Something sinister. I could see it in those cold, cold eyes of his.

“Amelia… get out of here,” I said, thinking about her safety. He had hurt her already, and I’d be a dead man before he did it again. I would enjoy wiping that smirk off of his face.

Suddenly, his shoe connected with my side. I hadn’t even seen his leg move. I doubled over in pain. Before I could compose myself, I took a knee to the gut. The air flew from my lungs, leaving me winded.

“You don’t learn, do you?” Mr. Robison taunted as he grabbed me by the head, ramming me into a nearby wall.

I blinked, seeing stars.

“Let go of him!” Amelia charged toward my boss, holding her purse over her head. She slammed it down on top of his head.

He stumbled forward, giving me the opportunity to tackle him to the ground. He grunted in pain.

Rage consumed me at this point. My hand tightened into a fist, pummeling his face over and over again. Blood flew from his lips. I kept hitting him, knowing he deserved it.

As I tried to catch my breath, he grabbed me by the shoulders, tossing me overhead. I rolled out of the way before he could return my fury. We got to our feet, squaring off. I couldn’t help but smirk as I saw the deep gash on his forehead.

“You don’t know what you’re doing,” he warned.

“I don’t care. You tried to hurt her. In my book, that makes you a creep worth fighting.”

“If you were smart, you’d leave while you still have your life.”

“Is that a threat?”

He tossed away his broken glasses and smirked, his teeth flashing like tiny daggers. Abruptly, he grabbed me, his hand wrapping around my neck. His fingers tightened, cutting off my airway.

I jabbed my palm into his nose in response. It cracked under the blow.

He was momentarily dazed, but then he bashed his head against mine, causing my brain to rattle inside my skull. My temples throbbed.

Oh, this guy was going down.

I swept my leg forward, trying to clip him.

He jumped back, throwing a punch at my face.

I managed to grab his arm and twist it behind his back.

He groaned, trying to hold back a cry of pain.

I twisted it harder, ready to break his arm when I felt Amelia’s delicate hand on my shoulder. Her presence softened my rage.

She shook her head. “He’s not worth it, Cruz. Let him go.”

I hesitated. I wanted nothing more than to give this man what he truly deserved, but I couldn’t break his arm in front of Amelia. I pushed him away, spitting in his direction.

He glared at me before he straightened his posture, adjusting his jacket like he had simply been caught in a bit of wind. “You’ll regret this. Both of you,” he said, his words laced with venom, before he finally turned on his heels and disappeared into the darkness.

As soon as he’d left, Amelia took my cheeks into her hands. “Are you okay? You’re bleeding.” Her eyes were painted with concern as she looked me over. “We have to get you to a doctor… I think the hospital is that way… or maybe that way… I don’t know…” She ranted, her anxiety apparent in the breathlessness of her words.

“I’m fine,” I assured her, cupping her face and gently rubbing my thumbs against her cheeks. “I swear.” I smiled, kissing the top of her head. “But what about you? Did he hurt you?”

“Maybe just a bruise… I’m okay…” She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. “But God knows what would have happened if you hadn’t shown up.”

I shuddered at the thought, holding her close. I thanked my lucky stars for bringing me here. “Come on, you’re coming with me. You’re not leaving my sight again.”

And until I figured out what the hell was going on, I was determined to keep that promise.