Page 87 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

I reach for my gun and immediately decide I’ll shoot him in his cock if the opportunity arises. He deserves nothing less.

“She’s with her husband. If they’re not married already, they will be soon. There is nothing you can do.” He smirks. “Business is done in different ways. You have nothing to pin on me. She’s an adult.”

Fucker is right.

Josh steps forward, doing what I can’t, and growls. “We have copies of your correspondence with Marino, a known criminal. The authorities are going to be sent every single fucking email. Mark my words, if she is married or a single hair on her head is hurt, I’ll make sure you are charged with human trafficking.”

He’s not messing around.

Josh has powerful strings he can pull.

“She was doing this to save your life.” I shake my head, disgusted with him. “What sort of monster does that to his daughter?”

She might be an adult, but that doesn’t mean she felt like she had a choice. I can only guess at the threats made along the way that led to where we are now.

Stella is gone.

“You know nothing of my world. If you were in my shoes—”

“I would protect her!”

I wish Grayson would let go of my fucking shirt.

“You should have gone to the authorities. Sought help. But let me guess, you were dealing with illegal transactions, so couldn’t. Her life for your freedom.”

“I would’ve been dead before the authorities picked up the phone. Don’t be naïve.”

“I’m a SEAL. There’s nothing naïve about who I am. I have honor. You have nothing. And if I have anything to do with it, you will lose your daughter too.”

He has the decency to pale, but it doesn’t last.

“Get off my property or I’ll call the police for trespassing.”

I throw him one last disgusted look, then put my phone to my ear, calling Ryder, as we stride down the hall to the elevator and the ‘sleeping’ guard.

There’s no time. We need to get Stella. The cops can deal with her abhorrent father.

“What do you need?” Ryder answers.

“You and the boys at the Marino Estate. Now. They have Stella.”

Josh punches the elevator button about twenty times as Ryder curses, then rogers that and hangs up.

“Don’t panic.” Josh grunts. “If we’re too late, she can have it annulled.”

“I’m not worried about that.” My weight switches from foot to foot, unable to stand still. “It’s what he might do to her afterward. Or before. Fuck. We need to get there now.”

It’s a twenty-minute drive from Manhattan, and every minute counts.

Swiping, I find Stella’s number and press dial. She doesn’t answer.

Fury and fear fight for dominance as adrenaline pumps through my veins. I’m like a caged tiger, ready to leap.

“What are the rules about shooting kidnappers? Just so I know,” Grayson asks, placing his hand on my shoulder to show support.

“Gray area.” Josh nods.

I let out a dark and dry, humorless laugh despite the situation. Grayson knows the law, just as we do.