Page 90 of His Other Half

She couldn't live in a world where one man was responsible for taking innocent lives without being punished.

It had to end.

The basic need to survive unleashed inside of her. She forgot everything she was taught about loyalty, honor, and giving. She forgot about her own safety. She forgot what the man in front of her was capable of doing.

She lost it.

Savage and fixated, she threw herself on Askook. Hands tried to stop her, and she ignored the pain encompassing her and pummeled her fists, raked her nails, kicked out, beating any part of his body she could reach.

Blinded with her fury. Deafened by the wounded howl. She hit and scratched. She tore and ripped. She pushed Askook like a train, getting him away from Paco, inch by inch.

Strengthened and powerful, she bellowed her hate as she strived to cause as much damage as she could with her bare hands.

She trembled with revulsion and clawed her hands, reaching for his eyes, wanting to tear them out of his skull.

Hands grabbed her arms, pulling her limbs behind her. Dragged away from Askook, she flung her body, but the other man held her back.

Paco, a large presence on his feet, weaved across the floor in front of her. She fought harder to get loose, knowing he would need help. Barely holding on, Paco staggered from all the blood he'd lost.

The knife she'd brought with her, now covered in Paco's blood, led him across the floor. She cried out. He wasn't strong enough to go against Askook.

Her body, dead weight in the man's hold, hung from his arms. Nah-doo-si, Nah-doo-si, Nah-doo-si.

She couldn't look away and prayed to the creator. Nah-doo-si.

Summoning up all the spirits from lakes to mountains, horses to eagles, trees to the sky. Helpless, she embraced the teachings she'd grown up with, relying on a heritage that she'd turned her back on.

It was the only hope she had left.

Paco's breath bubbled out of him. "You touched her."

Askook bent his knees and raised his hands to his sides, walking around Paco. "She's mine."

Paco lunged. Wanting to close her eyes but unable to look away, Josie watched him fall onto Askook. Both men, comparable in size, shook the floor when they hit the hardwood floor. She cried out.

In his condition, Paco wouldn't stand a chance. It was a miracle he walked across half the room to reach Askook.

Paco held the knife at Askook's throat.

"She's mine..." Paco wheezed and sliced Askook's throat. "Motherfucker."

The man holding her let go. She fell to her hands and knees.

"Paco!" She crawled forward, trying to grab the man's leg before he reached Paco. "Look out."

The body blocking her view of Paco fell. She stared up at Paco, holding the knife. The life had gone out of his eyes. The foreign noise rising out of his throat alarmed her. She pushed to her feet, walking around the two bodies and disregarding Paco's injuries, wrapped her arms around his waist.

His weight nearly toppled her. She hefted him higher.

"We need to get to a hospital." She strained, her whole body shaking under his weight.

He leaned into her. "Car."

"My car is at the casino." Knowing he wouldn't know where her house was located, she said, "It's too far."

"Shaw's...car." His head fell forward, his chin landing on his chest.

She'd need the keys. Looking down at the life draining out of Askook, she needed to get Paco in a vehicle before he collapsed. If he lost consciousness, she'd never be able to pick him up off the floor.