The Badass Protector

Iris

OH, MY GOD!

How in the hell did I become so straightforward and feel like a virgin all over again?

My face heated.

“No!” His eyes grew big.

My mouth suddenly fell open.

“No?” I was shocked too.

“Shit.” He laughed. “I should stop talking. I mean, I would love to, but what I mean is, I don’t want that to be the only thing we should share together. This world is falling piece by piece, Iris, and I don’t wanna waste more time without you.”

“Oh, I thought you don’t do relationships,” I chuckled.

“Who told you that?”

“Well, you slept with Cora, but I haven’t seen the two of you together.” I shrugged. “Unless you kept it secret.”

“I don’t wanna be a dickhead, but it was just sex, and she was fully aware of it. How did you know?” His curiosity made me smile.

“I figured when she threatened me.”

“Huh. Awkward much.” His brow rose.

“Wow!” I laughed. “You’re full of surprises, Officer Snow.”

“My brother used to say the much thing.” He stood, pulling me up. “Let’s get you inside before you freeze to death, and it’s getting late.”

I dusted off my jeans from the mud as we walked to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” I lifted my chin, meeting his eyes.

“Can I hug you again?” Before I could reply, he pulled me into his arms. “I’m glad you’re staying.” This man doesn’t have a word warning in his vocabulary.

“I’m glad you didn’t knock me off because you won’t ever get a chance to get a hug from me again.”

A rumble of silent laughs erupted in his chest. “I don’t hurt women in general unless they wanted me dead.”

“Physically, yeah, but let me guess, you broke plenty of hearts, have you?”

“Not literally broke their hearts.”

“Whatever floats your boat. Let me get inside so that you can get some rest.”

This time I cupped his scruffy face. Before I could kiss him, his lids fluttered closed, and he leaned down.

Warm spread through me, feeling the softness of his lips against mine. It was quick and sweet, yet it ignited and awakened a feeling I hadn’t thought about for a long time, and I liked it even more.

“Night, twig.”

***

“IRIS, WAKE UP!”

“Lois, it’s too early.” I hid my head under my pillow. “Come back after an hour.”

“Iris!” Her angry voice forced me to talk.

“What’s wrong?” I rubbed my eyes and yawned. “What time is it?”

“I don’t know, but you need to see something.” It must be serious because I’d never seen her angry face before. She was crossing her arms over her chest with her lips pressed together.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“A minute.” I had to get up to wash my face and brush my teeth.

I grabbed my gun, put my shoes on, and followed her. We were heading to my garden. My pace slowed in shock when I saw what had made her mad.

“Who did this?” I asked her vexedly. Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision. “Seriously? Why not just me? Why does it have to be the garden?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. When I got here, it already looked like this. I have no idea who did this, Iris. Everything is gone, even the sprouts.”

It was all destroyed like a hurricane wrecked or someone used this place as a wrestling ring. Even the fruits were crushed into purees. Everything I had worked on for days was gone. All I could do was knelt and cry.

“I’m so sorry, Iris. I wish I had come earlier to prevent this from happening. We can still do it again, right?”

I lifted my gaze. “How about what are we gonna eat today, tomorrow, and next week? Are we gonna eat from the cans again? You know we’d looted most of the shops near our camp. We don’t have seeds, which will take weeks to grow!” I wiped my tears dry, stood up, and took a few deep breaths, but my anger didn’t dissipate-it even got worse. “Where is everyone?”

“In the kitchen.”

“Good.” My instinct ruled.

There was only one person who was capable of doing a cruel thing like this. I strode toward the kitchen, rage rushing through me as my suspicions grew.

A shudder blitzed down my spine. My world spun and stopped in momentum. Cora sat cozily beside Colt and seemed happy in each other’s company.

Great! Way to make me madder.

Heat flushed through my body. My anger vaporized, feeling like I was about to burst into flame.

My heart was pounding.

Seconds ticked by, and nobody noticed me until I pulled my gun and slammed it against the table.

They uttered yelps in surprise and stilled. Pairs of eyes widened in shock, staring back at me.

“Funny, right?” My nose flared.

“What’s wrong, twig?” Colt innocently asked. His brows furrowed when he met my fury eyes.

“The last time I felt like this was when I watched people die before me. How in the hell did a certain virus kill almost half of the world’s population in cold blood?” I stared directly at Cora, who didn’t care a shit. “Until now, we don’t know who’s to blame, and I’m gladly volunteering myself to take the life of whoever is responsible for almost human extinction. In. A. Heartbeat.”

“What is your point, Iris? You’re wasting our time.” Of course, Cora didn’t give a damn or wasn’t interested. She looked even more annoyed.

“Iris, this is not what you think it is.” Colt was about to stand up, but I put my hand up to stop him.

“Oh, I know.”

“What happened to her, Heloisa?” Frost asked Lois, who was already standing beside me.

“Who cares? You shouldn’t give a damn crap about her shit. She’s probably just PMSing, you know? It makes her bitchy,” Cora barked.

“Yeah, you’re probably right because sometimes it makes us bitchy when someone doesn’t give us the shit we want, right?” I just poked the bear-she shot me a glare.

Her hands locked into fists on top of the table. She quickly stood up and marched toward me if Frost did not stop her.

“Whoa! Cora, stay right where you are. Let’s talk about whatever makes Iris mad. I am sure she has a reason.”

“Just sit down, Frost! Yeah, someone made me bitchier, if it’s even a word. It also makes us bitchy when someone doesn’t care how we feel, and that’s what pushes us to do something vengeful. Let me guess, from insecurities, maybe? Envy? I know a lot of factors, and I can give you one.” I cocked my brow. “Rage, antagonism? Out of jealousy, maybe?”

“Jealous of you?” She laughed, mocking me, but no one seemed to find it funny. “Have you seen yourself in the mirror?” she ranted angrily.

“Have you?” I ranted back, causing Frost to chuckle. “Have you forgotten what you did to my fingers? How did you threaten me? Or should I chant each word you told me in front of them?”

“I’d love to hear that,” Darick said.

“Shut up, Darick!” Cora snapped.

“I just wanna know one thing from you, Cora, and if you tell the truth in front of them, and I am satisfied with your answer, you can have Colt. Back.” I swallowed hard.

“You can’t be fucking serious.” Colt shifted in his seat, glaring at me. “What do you think of me? A fucking ball? That you can pass on to another player once you’re done?”I am far from done with you. His jaw clenched hard. He must have tried hard not to burst his anger toward me.

“That’s ridiculous,” Frost snorted.

“I don’t like him anyway.” I gave a quick glance at Colt. His face was redder, and he breathed hard through his nose. I felt terrible that I was hurting him because he had nothing to do with this.

“So, Cora, once you honestly answer me, we’re done, and I’m leaving this camp.”

“Gael won’t let you,” Frost said.

“Let her go. She doesn’t belong here anyway,” Cora spluttered. “You’re already ruining my breakfast.”

“Enough!” Colt roared, face full of fury as he slammed his hand against the table, causing everyone to yelp, and everything on top shook. “Stop this nonsense, Iris, because you are not going anywhere!”

Tension thickened.

No one moved. No one talked. I could sense everyone was holding their breath, including Cora.

“Now, Cora, did you ruin the garden to get into me?” And I got my answer in a flash-she was staring at me with a haunted look as I pinned my eyes on her.

Cora crossed her arms over her chest and shifted, then gave Colt an apologetic looked.

“Jesus Christ, Cora! Seriously, the garden? What has it something to do with Iris?” Disappointed, Colt shook his head and stepped away from her. “I thought you were better than that.”

The murmurs started, leaving Cora freezing in her spot.

Colt grabbed my gun and snaked his hand around my waist. “I hope you’re not serious about leaving.”

“Of course not. I like this camp, but I like you a lot to do that.”

He laughed softly. “Let’s go then and fix whatever is left.”