He smashes me back against the tiled wall. He’s not much taller than me but stocky, dressed in jeans and a hoodie.
And holding a gun.
“Let… go…” I wheeze. His forearm is pressed hard against my throat and cutting off my air supply. My hand slaps against the wall mindlessly. “Bodyguard kill… you.”
“He’s busy,” he says. “Do you remember me, you pampered little bitch?”
My face is nearly purple in the mirror’s reflection, eyes bulging. I recognize him. “Fucking Tay… Taylor. Bastard…”
“I have your mother. Your security is shit, hers is worse. The bake shop is such a sweet idea, huh? Too bad she won’t be able to open it.”
“Doan you touch…” There are lights flashing in the corners of my eyes and my legs are going limp.
“You’re going to get some information for me,” he sounds so cheerful, like this is the best day ever. “The new arrangement with the Matsumori Yakuza. I can’t believe those dumb fucks are running another deal after your mother made sure the last one was a disaster.”
I can hear my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
“...you listening?” A hand slams against my cheek but his arm loosens slightly, and I drag in a desperate breath of air.
I need oxygen the baby you’ll hurt the baby…
He stuffs something in my purse. “My contact information. Go fuck your husband, get him talking. You get me all the details on the Matsumori shipment or I’m sending pieces of Mom to you, gift-wrapped.”
The bathroom door slams open. Ian’s there with his gun out.
The cold metal of Taylor’s barrel is pressed against my forehead. “I’ll blow her fucking brains out,” he says. “Stand aside.”
“You’re not leaving here alive unless ye let her go.” Ian’s calm, hands steady on his Ruger.
Taylor moves swiftly, shoving me toward Ian and racing past us. I hit Ian so hard I nearly knock him over but he gets an arm around me first. “Are ye okay?”
“He’s got Mom,” I croak, “get him please!”
I hear gunfire and Torin bursts into the bathroom. “She okay?”
“Mom,” I sob. “He’s got Mom. Robert Taylor. It’s Robert Taylor.”
“Ye shoot him?” Ian asks, gentle hands quickly checking my throat and head.
“No,” Torin says regretfully. “Two men started trashing the store, I shot them both before I found ye back here. Taylor went out a side door before I could get off a shot.”
“You have to find him!” I’m rocking back and forth mindlessly. “Please, please…”
“Hey now, let’s get ye home, aye?” Ian says, putting his arm around my waist. My legs are numb and barely keep me upright. “Come now, Sophie, let us get ye to safety and call Michael. We’ll find your mum.”
“Michael,” I can’t stop sobbing. “I want Michael.”
***
Chuffed - Scottish slang for excited or happy.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Michael…
He hurt my wife.
I shoved Kyle out of the driver’s seat, jumping in and tearing out of the parking garage as he dove into the chase car.
