Deadly Calm

"Your worthless Joe!" the man said as he landed another kick to his ribs, "just like your brother. Both of you; a pair of worthless hoods not worth the money from the government!"

Joe curled in around himself, stifling a whimper of pain as he felt another blow catch him in the hip. If he was quiet, it would be over soon.

"The only good thing about the two of you is the money. And now there is even less of it now that your brother is gone. If I could have gotten the money without either one of you, I would have killed him myself!" he said. Joe felt a rib crack and fire began dancing under his skin.

"No," Joe whispered, curling tighter. "No," he repeated louder, firmer, a tone of determination sliding into place as if it should have always been there.

"NO!" he yelled as he twisted away from the approaching blow. He spun swiftly and caught Earl's leg in an iron grasp. He didn't release his leg when he stood up, causing Earl to fall backwards.

Joe towered over Earl, "I could kill you now myself and have no regrets about it," his voice was icy calm, deadly, "Make no mistake. I have no compunctions killing you, other than Alec would not want me to. It's only for his sake that you are still breathing. If you ever touch me again, then I will have to pray for his forgiveness, because I will kill you."

Joe stepped away from where Earl lay on the floor and walked out the door into the night.