Paxton's Promise (Gloves Off #3)(58)

“Not when it involves my family, dickhead. Or should I say, Josh Davenport. Let her go and back away slowly.”

Cliff moved me back toward the Mercedes while Mason moved forward a step. “That’s not going to work. If you and everyone else don’t back the f*ck up and let me be on my way, I’ll slit her throat right here and now. I’m sure you know I’m capable of it.”

Mason huffed and backed up a step, reluctantly lowering his gun and giving the signal for everyone else to follow. I mouthed the word ‘Paxton’ to him and he nodded reassuringly. It didn’t matter where I was going or who I was with, as long as Pax was okay, I could get through anything. In fact, he slowly turned the corner and came into view, his gaze hardening the second he saw my torn shirt.

“Well, this just keeps getting better,” Cliff grumbled. “So you turned into a * and called Mason for help. That’s pathetic.”

“I’d say it’s a lot better than stalking women and killing them when they finally see you’re a disgusting pile of shit.”

Using his free hand, Cliff slid it up my thigh, and on up to my chest. “This one doesn’t think I’m disgusting.” He squeezed my breast hard. “In fact, she loves it when I touch her. Don’t you, Gabby?” The knife dug harder into my skin and I hissed.

“Yes,” I said through clenched teeth.

“Now that we got that settled, I want you all to back the f*ck up.”

I kind of hoped Mason would use his sharpshooting skills and just blast him through the head, but he didn’t. Instead, they all backed away. With a pained expression, Paxton took a step back and disappeared.

Chuckling, Cliff bent down and whispered in my ear, “I guess ol’ lover boy didn’t like hearing your confession.”

Biting my tongue, I kept my gaze on Mason until I was forced into the Mercedes. Were they seriously going to let me leave with him? Once Cliff got into the car, he backed it out of the garage and sped up the side driveway to the front of the house. There were police cars around, but they weren’t blocking the road.

Revving the engine, Cliff pressed the gas as hard as he could and squealed the tires. My heart raced and I knew that if I was going to get out of there, I had to do something drastic. It just so happened that as soon as we left the driveway, the tires burst and the car clunked to the ground. As fast as I could, I grabbed the back of Cliff’s head and slammed his face down into the steering wheel before opening the door. My foot got caught and I fell out onto the road. Before Cliff could get me in his grasp, Paxton came out of nowhere and jerked him out of the car.

“Gabby,” Camden shouted. Rushing toward me, he grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the car.

“Thank God, you’re okay,” I cried, hugging him tight around the neck. When I tried to let go, he held me in place. “Camden, let me go.” I pushed against his chest but he wouldn’t budge.

“Trust me, Gabby, you don’t want to see this.” The sound of fists hitting flesh and the crunch of bones echoed through the night air. It was enough to make me sick.

“Why aren’t they stopping this?” I screamed. The police were standing around, just watching it play out, with their guns pointed at the ground.

Camden held me tighter. “Let them handle this the way they want. That f*cker deserves to get the shit beat out of him for what he’s done.”

“But he’ll kill him,” I cried. I didn’t want that weight on Paxton’s shoulders.

“Then he kills him, Gabby. Either way he’s a dead man.”

I grew lightheaded and nauseous. The sounds were too much. “I think I’m going to be sick.” Immediately, Camden let me go and helped me down to the ground. It was then I got a glimpse of the fight.

The knife Cliff had earlier fell out of his hands when Paxton slammed his wrist into the pavement. Judging by the gashes on Pax’s arms, he got a few good swipes in. However, it didn’t faze him; he kept going. In fact, he reminded me of Ryley when he was in the ring with Camden. It was terrifying.

“Gabby, are you okay?” Mason asked, rushing to my side. Putting his hands on my shoulder, he looked down at the cut on my chest, eyes burning with hatred.

“I’m fine,” I assured him. “He didn’t do anything to me other than that. But please, Mason. I need you to stop Pax. Please.”

My gaze drifted to Paxton who was now on top of Cliff, pounding his head into the pavement. Mason rushed off and desperately tried pulling him away, grunting with the force. Nostrils flaring, Paxton’s eyes were wild and dangerous, his body shaking as he was torn away. He stared down at Cliff and nothing else, almost like he wasn’t even there. It was the place where all of us fighters went while in the ring, but the place Paxton was in was much darker.

With all his strength, Mason held him steady until I could get over there. Slowly, I put my hands around Paxton’s neck and turned him to face me. “Pax, look at me. It’s over,” I murmured.

He shook his head, still not looking at me. “It’s not over until he’s dead. I won’t be able to rest until I know he’s gone.”

“He’s never going to bother us again, I promise. Mason will make sure of that. Please, just look at me.”

Huffing, he closed his cold eyes and stood there for a few minutes before opening them. Now they were sea green and crystal clear. Snaking his arms around my waist, he held me tight and lifted me in his arms. “I just wanted to keep my promise,” he whispered.