Free Zero by Sam Crescent

you will die here,” Alan said. “It’s nothing personal. You shouldn’t have touched Zero.” He pressed the blade against her skin and slid it downwards. Yes, the game was truly in motion.

Chapter Four
     
    Zero stayed behind as the rest of the men left for the day. Running a hand over his face he looked at Prue, who was working over a puzzle. She’d got on with Eva and the others as if they were old family friends. Prue’s smile and sweet charm had always been refreshing for him. There was nothing fake about her, and she never tried to manipulate him. He watched her take sips from her drink and tuck her hair behind her ear as she nibbled on her lip, thinking. All of her actions drew him in. He’d never watched a woman’s actions before.
    “Why do you keep staring?” she asked, glancing over at him.
    “I don’t know. I’m pleased you’re alive.”
    She smiled, sticking her tongue out at him. “I’m indestructible. You can’t kill me. I’m like a superhero or something.”
    “You could have died, Prue. It’s not a laughing matter.”
    “You’re going to be miserable, aren’t you?” She placed the magazine in front of her, dropping the pen on top of the machine.
    “I’m being serious, and you could have died.” If the bullet had been an inch down he wouldn’t be sitting here talking to her. Losing her was not an option.
    “Who gave you the shiner?” she asked, changing the subject.
    “I deserved it.”
    “Who gave it to you?” She gave him a pointed look. Growling at her, he stood up moving toward the window in her room.
    “Nash gave it to me.”
    “Great, I’ll remember the name. He can kick your ass for me.”
    He turned toward her.
    “Why did he hit you?”
    “I’ve had a thing for his wife, and I about kissed her. I shouldn’t have gone anywhere near her, but I never listen to reason and so he hit me.” He shrugged. Sophia’s words had hit him square in the face. Nothing he ever did would make her go for him. She was in love with Nash, not him. Zero expected pain, but there was none.
    “I’m sorry. What was all that about Steven?”
    “Fucker is into you,” Zero said, feeling jealous of the younger man.
    “So?”
    “You want to be another whore in a whole line of them for Steven?” He folded his arms over his chest, facing her.
    “I didn’t say I was going to jump into bed with him. Fuck, what is with you?” she asked, glaring. “You’re really bumming my mood at the moment. Do I need to kick your ass? Even being wounded I’d do it.”
    Visiting time was over, but Sandy had organized for him to be with her. Sandy was pulling a lot of strings with this hospital. He was sure they were looking for any excuse to fire her ass.
    “Sorry, nothing is with me.”
    “You fuck everything that walks. One guy takes notice of me, and suddenly you’re throwing your weight around as if you were my boyfriend or something. Newsflash, we’re best friends.”
    Her words cut him deeper than Sophia’s.
    “I don’t want you hurt.”
    “I’ve been hurt before, Zero. You were not there to mend my heart. In fact, the moment you’re done with needing me, you’re out the door,” she said, folding her own arms underneath her breasts.
    “That’s not true.”
    “Yes, it is. The moment I didn’t need you to keep the nightmares away you were gone like a shot. After Trevor died and we buried him, you were gone. When you were needed back home with The Skulls, you were gone.” She named off every occasion he’d left her.
    Whenever he was around her, he felt guilty.
    It’s not just that.
    Being around her always made him want something he could never have. He’d promised Trevor he would take care of her. Wanting his deceased friend’s sister was never going to happen. Prue knew him in ways other women would never get. She grew up with him and knew his parents didn’t want him. No one ever wanted him. Gritting his teeth together, he took a seat beside her.
    “You mean the world to