Unmasked (King Morine #4)

24. Stryker

CHAPTER 24

Stryker

R age rolls through me as I clench the steering wheel so hard my knuckles are white. My nostrils flare as I drive from the party, taking Mallory back to her apartment.

Luckily, there’s a fraction of the usual students on campus since it’s Labor Day weekend, which means I don’t think my mask raised any suspicions.

I doubt Steve will remember much of anything after the beating I gave him.

Mallory may say she’s alright, but she’s in shock. Not only is her pallor white, but the way she has her arm wrapped around her stomach as she lightly sways tells me all I need to know about her state of mind.

She’s blissfully unaware of the things I was yelling at that asshole as I beat the shit out of him.

The memory washes over me, and I smile.

“You don’t fucking touch her. She’s mine .” The crack of flesh against the bone, along with Steve’s howls of pain, swirl around me.

The copper scent of his blood filled the bedroom. I hit him so hard that his head jerked back like a rag doll as blood droplets sprayed on my clothing and onto Mallory’s skin and clothing. She didn’t notice as she sat there, watching me. I shudder to think what her reaction will be when she does.

When she whimpered, my head jerked to hers.

I punch him again, ensuring he’s out cold and won’t be a problem, before moving to her.

I lift her from my truck, carrying her inside the apartment building. Her head rests against my shoulder like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

My heart squeezes inside my chest when she sniffles, her watery eyes locking with mine. “Thanks for taking care of me.”

“You’re welcome, Mallory.”

I carry her back to the bathroom, running her a warm bath. I strip her out of her bloody clothing and help her into the tub. She doesn’t question me, trusting me implicitly.

As I wash the blood from her skin, I whisper, “I’ll always take care of you, my little prey.”