“Despite how much I want to hurt you right now, I’ve really missed you, Marley. You always smelled so good.”
His words make me cringe, blood running cold with disgust, but his fingers grip my chin, forcing me to look at him. “What? You haven’t missed me?”
“Where is she?”
“She’s inside, but before we go in there are rules.”
“What rules?”
“If you want to keep her alive, you’ll do exactly as I say. That means if you make one wrong move, if you even think about escaping, I’ll kill you both.” His cold, dark eyes hold mine as he leans in close. “I’ll squeeze every breath of life from her tiny body and make you watch before I put a bullet in your brain. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I swallow thickly and nod. I’ll do whatever the hell he says as long as it keeps her safe.
“Good girl.” His fingers caress my cheek and my skin crawls with revulsion. “We’re going to be a family again, Marley. Me, you, and Lyla. Just like before. Just like it was always meant to be.”
“Whatever you want, Steven. I’ll give you anything; just don’t hurt her. Please.”
I breathe a sigh of relief when he tucks the gun into the back of his jeans and reaches for my hand to lead me up the porch steps but we don’t even make it inside before I feel the sting of a needle being injected into the side of my neck, plummeting me into darkness.
Chapter 23
Asher
I slam my fist into the steering wheel as I head back to Marley’s, feeling so goddamn helpless. I have to find Lyla. I can’t lose her.
I take the stairs two at a time but come to a stop when I spot Marley’s door cracked open. Dread tugs at my heart as I pull my gun from my holster, inching closer to the door. I slowly push it open to find Peter sitting on the floor, rubbing the back of his head in a daze.
“Fuck, Peter, what happened?” I ask.
He groans in pain as he lifts his head with a wince. “He took her.”
“Who took her?”
“Steven,” he replies.
“Son of a bitch!” I pull out my phone and call dispatch. “I need an ambulance at 420 South Front Street #205.”
