He laughs obnoxiously, and I move to get out of the chair, losing my internal battle and needing to punch him in his scarred face. A gun is immediately at the back of my head, causing me to still.
“I’m not done. I want the chop shop with your employees.”
I grip the sides of the chair as I realize he really fucking means everything.
“I cannot sell you my goddamn employees. They are human beings who make their own choices. They work for us willingly.”
He takes a sip of the amber liquid in a tumbler and sets it back down on his black desk.
“Fair enough. The fight will be in thirty days. Plenty of time to prepare. I will personally pick your opponent. If you leave here with her, you agree to my terms. I don’t think I have to tell you again what backing out means for the four of you.”
I nod in agreement because I won’t back out. I’ve never in my life backed down from a fight, but it does make me wonder what he has up his sleeve. But it doesn’t matter. Because I’d agree to it, anyway. If he wanted me to trade my life for hers—I would in a heartbeat.
He glances at one of the two men, “Rocky, go get her.”
I nearly roll my eyes at his name but stop myself because I’m so fucking relieved to be getting her out of here.
Every minute feels like an hour as I wait for her. When Rocky comes in carrying her in his arms, I’m ready to lose my shit and cost us this deal. I jump out of my seat and nearly sprint to her.
“What the fuck happened?”
He places her in my arms and says, “Passed out, but she’s fine.”
She blinks her eyes open, and fear registers all over her face. It guts me, but I can’t blame her.
“I’m not going to hurt you, baby. I’m taking you to Knox and Carter.”
I’m not an idiot. I did this. Instead of being her safety net the way my brothers are, I’m the enemy. Once again, I only have myself to blame.
“Put me down, dick.” She groans as we exit the office. It’s not meant as a term of endearment, but fuck—it feels like one.
Leaning forward, I whisper in her ear.
“I need to get you out of here. Fast.”
She continues to struggle in my hold, but I don’t let her go. Instead, I tighten my arms around her, my chest clenching with the pain I know I’ve caused her. All three of them. As soon as I put her down, she may never let me touch her again.
CHAPTER TEN
THE HEATHEN
Killian sets me in the passenger seat of his car and closes the door before moving to the other side. There was a time when I trusted him a little, but not anymore. He says he’s taking me to his brother's, but I don’t believe him. I would jump out of the car and run for my life if my back and head didn’t hurt so bad. I’m not sure I’d make it far with the state I’m in.
“Are you okay, physically?” He asks as he drives through the gates.
“Does it matter?”
He glances at me and quickly looks back at the road.
“It does to me.”
I look out the window, avoiding his gaze, identical to the two men I trust. A tear runs down my cheek and I swat it away angrily, not wanting him to see it. I can be vulnerable with Knox and Carter—but never him.
“I don’t believe anything you say, Killian. I’m not going to see them again. You’re taking me somewhere to finish the job your buddy failed to complete. And it’s perfect, right? They won’tknow it was you who killed me. Finally, you’ll be rid of me. Like you always wanted.”
Killian is quiet before speaking again, and when he does, it only causes the anger to build in my chest.
“I understand why you’d think that, Killer. I guess this will be the first part of proving myself to you. I am a dick, but when I’ve fucked up—I own it, and when it comes to you, I made the worst mistake I have ever made.”
