Damaged and the Cobra (Damaged #3)

My question worked like a charm and Vaughn squinted disgusted at me then walked over to a large rock where he sat down and looked at his phone.

Swinging the bat, I smashed out the taillight. As painful as it was to tear apart such a beautiful car, Lark needed vengeance. In my mind, I wasn’t hitting the Corvette. I was destroying every person who ever hurt my girl. Every stepfather who hit her, mocked her, and ignored her. I imagined the hung over fucker who let her little brother die. I even pictured her mother who chose the latest fuck over her own kids.

I hated them all for every tear Lark ever shed. If I couldn’t hunt them down, I’d destroyed the prized possession of the latest bastard to mistreat my muse.

Smashing the windows, the lights, denting the cherry red doors, I trashed the car until I was out of breath. Eventually, I grabbed a blade and tore the tires, just to finish off my rage.

“Wuss,” Vaughn said, standing over me as I leaned against the car. “Shame about Gloria. She was a beauty.”

“I haven’t been to the batting cage in awhile. I think I pulled something”

“Sure,” Vaughn muttered, yanking me to my feet. “Let’s light this little bitch up and get a beer.”

“I need to get home to Lark.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? I steal this car for you and don’t even get to trash it and you won’t have a beer with me? What an asshole.”

“Please, don’t cry,” I said, patting his shoulder. “I don’t have the energy to hold you until your sobs turn to baby hiccups.”

Vaughn laughed. “I miss Judd. The guy knew how to drink a beer and he didn’t mind when I pissed myself weeping like a chick.”

“The guy is the epitome of patience,” I said, picking up the container of gas. “Or indifference. He always did seem a little bored when you two were talking.”

“You looking to have me use that bat on you, is that it?”

Grinning, I splashed gasoline on Gloria, careful not to have the liquid hit me. Once the car was thoroughly drenched, Vaughn lit a match.

“Are you sure he won’t be able to restore this car?” I asked.

Smirking at me, Vaughn threw the match and Gloria burst into flames. “We oughta get back, just in case the old girl blows. The tank was pretty full when I snatched her.”

Gloria did let out more than a baby hiccup before blowing onto her side. Vaughn took the gas tank and threw it into the fire. The police likely wouldn’t find the car until the next day, maybe longer. The quarry was abandoned and rested in Reaper territory. Cops weren’t welcome and no one would call them. Eventually, Larry would learn of his precious car’s fate and I just prayed the shock killed the fucker.





Chapter Thirty One - Lark


The Storm Babes barely lost the game. Cheering so much that my throat hurt, I was excited to share roller derby with Aaron. When Raven left, I gave up on the sport even before Larry told me to. My sister had been the one to get us involved and I always felt like the team was more hers than mine. I was the tiny chick who sped around and occasionally scored. Raven was the tough chick who scared other tough chicks. In the end, the team missed her more than they missed me. I missed them both.

Team leaders Sarah and Chantal noticed me in the stands before the game and waved, but the other girls seemed irritated to see me. Or they were just putting on the grumpy game faces. After the match, they surrounded me. With them wearing skates and me in flats, I never felt tinier. For days, I’d struggled with dizziness and the vertigo returned as I stared up at them.

“Thunder Kitten grants us a visit. We’re honored,” Chantal said, giving me a bow. “Did you come to beg for your spot back?”

“No.”

“Shit,” Sarah said. “I was looking forward to some begging.”

The girls laughed while I rolled my eyes. “I wanted to show off my hot boyfriend and let him see how I used to be cool.”

Sarah and the girls eyed Aaron who turned around for them then flexed his muscles. Clearly impressed, they smiled.

“Snagged yourself a hot one.”

“He’s really good at fucking too.”

The girls high fived me and I felt like I was the old cooler Lark. Well until Chantal hit my hand and I nearly fell on my ass.

“Damn, I’m strong,” Chantal said, flexing her fingers.

As a worried Aaron helped steady me, I mumbled, “Not that you aren’t quite the Hulk, but I feel dizzy.”

“Sure, pixy,” Chantal said as I found a bench to rest on.

“Are you alright?” Aaron asked, kissing my cheek and sliding his hand between my knees. “That’s to give you something to think about.”

“All of the roller derby stuff turned you on, huh?”

“Hell yeah,” he whispered, kissing my neck. “Crap, Tucker’s in a headlock. Better go help him out.”

“Save the dummy. I’m fine. Just dizzy.”

Aaron gave me a great kiss. The kind signaling he wanted to be inside me. My body responded to his kiss and I imagined us alone.