The Badass Protector

COLT

MY HEART ached.

Defeated, I shifted back and looked at the endless road ahead.

Frost turned the radio on, finding an active frequency, but it was just a buzz and nothing it could grasp.

“Turn the shit off. It gives me a headache.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“You mean heartache?”

I glared at him.” Shut the fuck up, will you?” I couldn’t argue with him because he was definitely right on that part.

Frost was maybe a manwhore and a spoiled son of a billionaire, but he was a good person. He always meant his words. Anyone could call him an asshole, but he’d better be one than a liar by giving women false hopes.

“What got your panties in a twist?”

“Nothing.”

“I got a few reasons.”

“Just keep your mouth shut, Frost, and focus on the road.”

“Sure thing, man. Sure thing.” He smiled evilly.

We arrived at Chester gas station with a torn-down giant sign of prices. It had a car wash, tire shop, and convenience store.

“I don’t think there’s anything left.” Frost parked the car beside the road a few meters away from the vehicles and an RV blocking the dingy gas pumps.

Wasps and flies were flying all over the deserted cars, and the smell was horrible-probably from corpses inside.

“You two wait here until I signal. And keep the door locked,” I told Iris and Lois. “Let’s go, Frost.” I yanked out the rifle and climbed out of the car.

The routine was not new to me-scouting the area as quietly as possible to avoid unwanted attention and trouble.

Our boots crouched against the litter and broken glasses on the ground. After passing a few cars and we caught no movements around, Frost signaled them to come.

Iris used her scarf to cover her face like Ninja. She shrugged when she caught me staring at her. Her blue eyes stood out. Slight anger flashed in her eyes.

“Come with me, and stay by my side all the time.” I took the other backpack from her since she already had her own.

“We’ll take care of the gas. You two, check the convenience store and the shop.” Frost walked away with Lois, not waiting for my protest.

We found a car with the engine still humming. Iris and I shared a look. My pulse sped up as I stepped toward the store, ready for possible trouble.

“Stay behind my back,” I whispered.

“I can take care of myself.” She pulled her gun from her back in protest, loaded it, and now was on full alert.

“No doubt about that.”

After sweeping the area, I peeped through the glass window and couldn’t see any movement. We then entered the convenience store.

Scavengers had already raided it, but some food items were left on the racks and scattered on the floor.

“I’ll check the grocery aisle and coolers,” Iris said.

“Just be careful.”

She glared at me before she walked away. With uncertain feelings coiling in my stomach, I went to the counter for some products and tossed anything useful into the backpack.

A yelp from Iris made my heart beat a million times. I rushed toward her and met her halfway. I pulled her into me, causing her to gasp against my chest.

A wave of protectiveness was overwhelming as I wrapped my arm around her body and aimed my gun forward, searching for any disturbance.

She gripped my arms and shifted her head. “She’s infected.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw a woman against the wall. Her own blood covered her face, and so did her clothes. Based on the bleeding, she must have just died a few hours ago.

Nausea squeezed my stomach to see a kid lying beside her-already dead. That explains the car outside.

“Jesus.” I took a breath and asked Iris, “Are you okay?”

She nodded against my chest, trembling and barely able to speak. “The kid.”

“Whoever spread this virus was fucking evil.” That was all I could say.

“People do what’s in their best interest regardless of who gets hurt to satisfy their hunger. Even if doing so would cause another suffering.”

“Yeah,” I agreed.

“It’s Klaus Mikaelson.”

“Oh. I’m sorry you have to see that.” I didn’t know why I said that to her, but it felt like it would comfort her as I squeezed her into a hug.

“I’ve seen worse,” she murmured. Her breathing sent a warm sensation through my chest.

“Wear your mask.”

“My scarp is thick enough. You should wear yours.” Abruptly, she stepped out of our embrace and walked in the opposite direction.

Fucking great! She still hated me.

I ignored the pain squeezing my heart as I watched her grab supplies by herself as if nothing had happened.

After a few minutes, my bag and Iris were full. We collected some soda, junk foods, canned goods, energy drinks, candy bars, and cookies.

I took off my mask as soon as we left the store. “Are you done?”

She was reading an old newspaper. “Done. It said here the economy increased its growth. This was a week before the apocalypse but look at our country now. A world is a rather awful place,” she said silently.

“Let me guess, another from Mikaelson guy. Your ex?”

“Yeah. My ex from The Originals.” She rolled her eyes.

“Ariana Grande. Is she still alive?” I pulled the magazine from the rack, snorting.

“I’m surprised you know Ariana. She’s probably sitting somewhere on the beach and sipping her cocktail.”

“Quite bright imagination you have there, Iris. Let me carry that.” I grabbed the backpack from her. She may gain a few pounds, but she didn’t have to carry loads of weight when I was around.

“I carry just right. It’s just bulky.”

“Look, Iris. I know you hate me, but we have to work together and let our anger set aside.”

“Water under the bridge.” She strode faster in our car.

I walked toward Frost, carrying two gas containers, and Lois followed him.

“There’s a gasoline pump at the back. I guess no one found it yet.”

“Let me help,” I suggested.

“We got it covered, man. I think it’s time you and Iris should talk about the elephant in the gas station.” He cocked a brow as if giving me an only chance I had.

I nodded. “We’re good.”

“It doesn’t look good to me, but suit yourself,” he said before he left, leaving me puzzled.

I dropped the bag on the passenger side. Iris was sitting at the back and had already pulled off her ninja mask.

I took the driver’s seat.” Come. Sit in the passenger. We’ll fill the tank.”

She hopped down silently after I grabbed the backpack and tossed it into the backseat. I started the engine and pulled over to find a way to the pump at the back.

Frost tapped the window. “Let me fill it from here. Only a bike could get in there.”

“Does Lois need a hand?” Iris asked.

“Nah. She’s just watching my ass around.”

I turned to Iris, who was watching the area like a hawk. “We should talk about what happened last week.”

“Nothing to talk about, really. You were following orders.”

“But you kept on giving me the cold shoulder.”

“I’ve no reason to talk to you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” She arched her brow.

“I know. I crossed the line. I should have approached you differently, but-”

“You cut the chase, right? I totally get it, and besides, nobody brought me in. Of course, everyone had their suspicions.”

“I’m sorry.”

She shrugged it off. “I’m over it.”

“I didn’t know until the day I gave you an assignment. You should know that, but it’s unfair if you talk to everyone except me, don’t you think?”

For the first time, she met my gaze. Pain flickered in her eyes. “They did not point and fire a gun at me.”

I could feel the anger radiating through her even if she didn’t have to say a word, and she deserved a proper apology. I fucking deserved her retaliation, and it fucking hurt.

“I’m sorry.”

“You already apologized.”

“But I do care about you, Iris.” My heart raced.

“You care about everyone inside the camp, and it’s not a surprise to me anymore.”

“It’s true, and thanks for visiting my brother.”

“How did you know?”

“No one put a flower on his grave.” I chuckled. She even troubled herself to pick up a flower for my brother, and I found it damn sweet.

“Oh, okay,” she said flatly.

“If I didn’t find you, would you ever come back?”

“No.” There was no lace of hesitation in her answer.

I nodded and couldn’t form a word. I had to blink as the pain constricted my chest.

Seconds ticked by we fell into silence.

I gulped, the agony clogging my throat. “Then, I was thankful I found you before you left me for good.”

“Will you look for me?” she almost whispered.

My mouth gaped. I wasn’t expecting her to ask that question, and I was glad she did. Emotion flooded my stupid heart.

Drawing my strength, I answered, “I’m probably still searching for you right now.”

“Just so you know, I don’t hate you. After I talked to you and Gael, I felt a sudden lightness in my chest for the first time since my brother died. It felt good to share the pain who understood what losing meant for someone.”

“You know you’re not alone anymore. You have us, twig. You have Lois. Even as stupid as it sounds, you can count on Frost. And you have me. I will always have your back. You can always reach out anytime you wanna talk to someone. You know that, right?”

“I know.” She looked at me, and my worry vanished into thin air. “Thank you, Colton.”

Damn. I fucking missed that.