Cash launched up from the couch at her signal and attacked. Sable ducked sideways to escape the violence, and while the man in the suit could hold his own, he wasn’t equipped to survive the magnificence of Cash. Sable crouched out of reach as they fought, as Cash’s fist beat and beat and beat until the man could no longer fight back, and while it was an incredible display of sickening brutality, she couldn’t help but feel turned on by his skill. This was a Fae male born and bred for battle. A man trained to win. Thiswas a father whowould do anything for his son and a man worth loving.
“Where the hell is my son?” Cash growled as he finally pinned the stranger down.
“I don’t—” the man choked on his words as Cash tightened his grip.
“No, we aren’t doing that,” he said. “You know where my boy is, and you’re going to take us to him.”
“The Ombra will kill me,” the man said.
“And if you don’t, I’ll kill you, so either way you’re fucked,” Cash said.
“The only difference is The Ombra will probably put a bullet in your brain, but this father will make your death slow.” Sable sauntered closer now that the man wasn’t a threat. “You took his son. He won’t let you die well, so if I were you, I would risk The Ombra’s wrath because you won’t like what this dad will do to you.”
“I don’t know where the boy is,” he sputtered. “The Ombra isn’t here, though. They never show their face. They sent a representative to deliver the egg, and He has already authorized the prize money transfer.”
“Then take us to the representative,” Sable said.
“She doesn’t know anything. She’s just some woman.”
“Oh, you would be surprised,” Sable said. “So, what will it be? A quick end, or this father’s rage?”
“Fine, I’ll take you.” The man spit blood onto the carpet. “But if I help you find your kid, will you help me not get shot?”
“Maybe,” Cash said. “That’ll depend on what shape my son is in.”
“Okay, okay. Follow me.” The man led themfurtherinto the mansion, and the trio eventually arrived at an ornately carved door. With a quick knock, he let them in.
“What the hell happened?” a feminine voice asked, and a moment later, The Ombra stepped into view. Her concerned face turned livid when she saw Cash, and she recoiled from her ex, feigning fear.
“I’m sorry, Miss Archibald,” the man said. “They demanded to see you. They’re here for his son.”
“What makes you think I have him?” she said with false concern. “I am just The Ombra’s representative. I don’t even know what they look like.”
“I do.” Sable stepped forward. “I know what The Ombra looks like, and I’m here by invitation, which means I’m under His protection. You can’t kill me without consequence, soI can walk out of this mansion without risk. I have photo proof too, so answer him. Where is his kid? Or the world will see your face.”
“Careful, little girl,” she spat. “You’re playing in the big leagues now. I wouldn’t want such a sweet, naïve human to get skinned alive.”
“I’m not as sweet as you think,” Sable said.
“Oh, dear. We have a badass.” The Ombra laughed deprecatingly. “Stay out of this fight. There’s no bounty, soyou can leave. And if you’re here under the misguided assumption that you love this man, take it from someone who’s been there and done that. He’s a waste of time.”
“Where is his son?” Sable asked, refusing to stoop to her level. The woman was goading her, and she wouldn’t fall for it.
“This doesn’t concern you. Stay out of it.”
“Where is his son!” Sable shouted, her voice so loud that it reverberated throughout the room.
“Sable?” The small question escaped from a distant room, and every head snapped to attention. “Sable, is that you?”
“Clover?” Cash screamed as he charged for his son’s voice, but The Ombra grabbed her gun and aimed. Cash skidded to a halt as she pulled the trigger, but before the bullet left the chamber, Sable jumped into the air and kicked the woman’s wrist. The bullet slammed into the wall feet from its intended target as The Ombra dropped the weapon, and a hint of fear filled the dangerous thief’s eyes.
“Go!” Sable shouted. “Get Clover.”
Cash hesitated, clearly terrified that the Fae woman would kill her.
“Go!” she screamed. “Get your son!”
“Dumb bitch,” The Ombra said, raising her fists for the fight. “I’m going to enjoy breaking you, little girl. No one threatens The Ombra and lives. Especially not some human.”
