Blackness Within by Norma Jeanne Karlsson Page B

is goin’ on?” Blake grumbles from behind us.
    Natasha tries to wiggle free from my grasp to turn toward her brother, but I hold her in place. Zeus lays down at my feet no longer at alert, but not willing to retreat. Blake slides next to me and I see a fight coming.
    “Are you Blake?” Ben sneers.
    “Who the fuck are you?” Blake growls back.
    “I’m Natasha’s boyfriend. What have you done this time? Do you have any idea what you’ve put this woman through? You’ve destroyed her. She can’t have a life because of you!” the twerp yells like a child.
    “Tosh doesn’t have a boyfriend, jackass. I don’t know who you think you are, but I’d step off if I were you.” Blake sounds stronger than I know he is right now. That protector Natasha described is trying to rage to the surface for his sister. I like it.
    “You don’t know your sister,” Ben grumbles.
    “Ben, you need to leave. I’m not gonna stand here while you insult my brother,” Natasha states strongly.
    “No, Natasha. You’re always standing up for him and he doesn’t do a thing for you. Someone needs to put him in his place.”
    “Not you,” I snarl, surprising everyone. “Get back in your car and go home. You’re not needed or wanted here. I won’t say it again.”
    “Natasha?” he asks disbelieving.
    “Ben…just go.”
    “Can we talk alone for a moment? I need to know you’re okay,” he pleads.
    A black sedan pulls up in front of the house and Finn climbs out of the passenger seat locking eyes with me, instantly searching my face for what the hell he’s walking into. I maintain my glower. He’ll figure it out.
    “Mr. O’Sullivan?” Finn asks as he climbs the stairs behind Ben, causing him to jump.
    “Yes,” I reply professionally. I love Finn so much right now.
    “I have a car here for Mr. Reynolds.”
    “That’s me,” Blake answers in a chipper voice, playing along nicely.
    I let Natasha go and she flings herself into her brother’s frail arms. He squeezes her with everything he has, which isn’t much. They whisper to each other before Blake moves away to gather his things, Natasha following closely in his wake. I maintain my position on the threshold, staring at a confused Ben. Finn stands behind him smiling broadly at me.
    “If you’re her boyfriend, why did she call me?” Ben asks, struggling.
    “Don’t know,” I answer in a shrug.
    “She won’t stay with you. Blake always wins. I’ll wait for her though. She’ll get sick of this life and want what we have.”
    This statement propels me in his direction. I lean down into his face before unleashing, “A real man knows his place is at his woman’s side. In the good times and the bad. Blake’s not a threat. He’s her family. You’ll never have her because you don’t get that. She doesn’t need to be free of the people she loves. She needs the support to love them the best way she can. Get the fuck outta here. Don’t come back. Don’t call her. Don’t check on her at work. You’re done.”
    He quivers slightly before slinking off the porch, never looking back. He doesn’t deserve Natasha. She was right to let him go. She never should have given him a chance.
    I move my gaze to Finn’s as Ben drives away. His eyebrows are about to meet his hairline.
    “I’m takin’ Natasha back to the house. No way she’s safe here,” I say, ignoring Finn’s stare.
    “Uh huh,” he mumbles, shaking his head at me.
    “Your face is gonna freeze like that,” I chide the crazy way he’s still looking at me.
    “Did you really just scare off her ex? Am I really here right now? I just witnessed Brian O’Sullivan acting territorial over a woman other than Kid?”
    “Fuck off, Finn. I’ll sick this dog on you.”
    “All set,” Blake’s voice cuts off our conversation.
    “Blake, this is my colleague Finn Callaghan. He’ll ride with you to the facility and get you all settled in. Good luck,” I say, offering him my hand.
    “I’m counting on you and