Page 104 of Lawless Rivals

His thumb moves again, gliding along the curve of my jaw, the touch light enough to deny, firm enough that I can’t ignore it.

“We did…” I draw my lip between my teeth and clench my hands to stop them from reaching for him.

White noise crackles from the radio, tearing the tension apart before anything can happen.

“Saint, are you there?” Dane asks. “Can ya hear me?”

His hand stays at my cheek for a racing heartbeat, his gaze holding mine, the hunger there under the surface, unfinished and hot.

“You deserve better.”

Saint takes his hand away, closes his fingers, and heads to the workbench, replacing chemistry with restraint.

“Saint… Do ya hear me… It’s an emergency.”

“What’s wrong?” His tone turns glacial, full of iron control, the softness gone.

Dane’s voice pushes through, rushed and off, sending alarm bells ringing.

“It’s Sera…”

Saint’s grip tightens around the radio.

“She hasn’t come home. Ma sent her to Black Heath this afternoon. Then she was heading to the Kinnanes’ place after.”

The words hit, and my stomach drops, the reality of what’s happening flooding my mind.

“She’s not answering her phone, and Shay found her empty truck outside the store.”

“I’m on my way home.”

Saint drops the radio, already marching to the door. I go still, the echo of his touch still warm, but the burning ache in my core now twisted into pain.

Because I know what my father’s men are capable of. What orders he’s given in the past. How he treats his enemies.

And for the first time, I don’t know if that’ll work in my favor, or if Sera will survive.

Chapter 27

Keira

Bran’s hooves strike hard on the earth as we near Black Heath Stud.

Yard noise travels toward us as he slows to a trot. Doors slam, engines idle, and men shout back and forth.

Steering his horse through the open field gate and stopping him near the barn, Saint swings down from the saddle.

I follow a second later, my boots hitting the concrete as Shay approaches, already speaking.

“North side’s clear. East boundary’s covered. We’ve got two guys out past the ridge⁠—”

“Keep them there.” Saint hands off the reins. “No one’s getting into the yard without me saying so.”

Shay nods and leads Bran to the barn.

I do a one-eighty on the spot, watching it unfold, the way everyone holds together under pressure, not falling apart but tightening.

Rafe comes in from the far side, cigarette already lit, his gaze running over me before it settles on Saint.