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“What do ya want? Gun? Knife? Wrench?” Copper asked as he pointed to a pile of tools on the ground “I got it all”

Without a word, Rocket stalked to the goodies and selected a K-bar knife A favorite of his He walked back until he stood over Lefty’s crumpled body

“Want him back in the chair?”

Rocket shook his head No, this would do nicely

He took a deep breath and prepared to settle in for a long afternoon ofthis man as miserable as humanly possible But as he looked down, it wasn’t Lefty he saw, but Chloe And not the abused and trauiven herself to him The version that allowed him to touch her despite her fear and past The version covered in sweat as she wailed on a heavy bag, determined to beat back every demon The version who flew into his arh she couldn’t bear one more second of separation The version who clashed with Lefty and won And the version who risked losing him to save his worthless ass

Suddenly, an urgent need to be with her clawed at hi to escape a trap All of his priorities fell into place in that moment Lefty’s fate was set Rocket was seconds froht Didn’t need to be drawn out into an elaborate torture session All that would do was delay hi to his woman

And being with her was imperative

Knife in hand, he crouched, careful to keep fro his knees in the chilly puddle “Sorry ere interrupted before,” he said with a snicker

“F-fuck you,” Lefty said but it came out as a wheezy whisper of words

“Yikes, you’re not sounding too good And I’ht about now” He placed the tip of the knife to Lefty’s sternum

Rocket leaned in close to Lefty’s ear while dragging the knife down the ht as well have a little fun while he was at it He stopped when he reached his prisoner’s groin Lefty’s pitifulNo one’s gonna give a shit that you’re dead Hell, I bet everyone you knoill dance on your grave Butas ever Free to do whatever the hell ant Fuck our woood life”