Read Online Twisted World: A Broken World Novel by Kate L. Mary - Free Book Online Page B

possible. As strong as my biological mother had been and as strong as Vivian Thomas had raised me to be. Being weak in this world would get you killed.
    The enforcers had just arrived. At the bar, Donaghy was slumped over his drink like he knew he might be enjoying the last few moments of freedom he’d ever see. If they sent him back to DC now, he was right. He’d either die within the walls of that retched city or he’d be put to death an hour after he got back. My guess was the second one.
    “We had a report of an attack,” the head enforcer called.
    I recognize him right away. It was the leader of Al’s crew, and it only took two seconds for me to locate my uncle in the crowd of men. Damn. Charlie must have been really freaked out if she called her dad.
    “The body is in the bathroom.” Charlie was shaking when she pointed down the hall, and Uncle Al was at her side in a second as two other guys headed to the back to check it out.
    “What happened?” Al asked his daughter, forcing her to look up at him.
    Charlie swallowed and said, “Some guy attacked Meg.”
    Al’s eyes moved my way, and the second he saw me his daughter was forgotten. He crossed the room and pulled me against him, and I tucked my head under his chin. Being in my uncle’s arms wasn’t as comforting as it would have been to have Dad here, but it was the best I was going to get. I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a deep breath, blowing the rest of the tension out of my body.
    “Fucking great,” Donaghy muttered just loud enough for me to hear.
    I pulled away from Al, but didn’t take a step back. “You have to listen to me. That man would have had his way with me, and probably killed me when he was done. Donaghy—” I jerked my head toward the fighter without looking his way. “—saved me. You can’t let him get sent back to DC.”
    Donaghy twisted to face me and Jackson stepped up so he was standing at my side. Dragon and the older waitress stood behind the bar, watching the scene unfold while behind Al, Charlie’s bottom lip quivered. My uncle’s eyes were focused on me, though.
    “You’re alright?” It was rare that I saw Al looking so serious, and twice in one day must have been some kind of record.
    “I’m fine,” I said firmly. “Did you hear what I said? Donaghy saved me.”
    Al’s gaze moved to the fighter, and his lips tightened as he looked the big man up and down. “Meg said back to DC, so I’m guessing you’re here as part of the release program.”
    “That’s right.” Donaghy’s ice blue eyes moved toward me, and his gaze was so intense that it made the hair on my scalp prickle.
    At my side, Jackson stiffened and moved closer until his arm was pressed against mine. It would have been nice if I’d thought he was doing it to comfort me, but it felt more like a possessive gesture than one that revolved around concern for my well being. Plus, the expression in the fighter’s eyes wasn’t threatening. If anything, he was looking at me like I was a puzzle he needed to solve.
    “Eyes on me.” Al’s voice was thick with authority.
    Donaghy complied but his jaw twitched like he wished he could argue. He clenched his hands the way he had in the ring.
    “Good,” Al said. “You got lucky, because this is my niece, and any man who risks his neck to save her deserves a medal in my book. Not a trip to the gallows.”
    Donaghy’s back stiffened but he looked uncertain. He didn’t answer right away, and I got the impression that he might be waiting for a punch line.
    Finally, the fighter’s hands relaxed. “Thank you.”
    “No,” my uncle said firmly. “Thank you.”
    Al gave my shoulder a squeeze before heading back toward the bathroom. Jackson hurried after my uncle without telling me why, but I didn’t care, because right now I had too many things I wanted to say to Donaghy.
    I turned to face the man who had saved me, forcing out a smile that was shaky but sincere. My eyes filled with tears, but I