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I was positive if she had grabbed my gun, she wouldn't have hesitated to use it on me. A small smile tugged at my mouth because that tiny hint of darkness looked a lot like my own, and that intrigued me.

I cursed under my breath, shaking my head.

Sutton was a distraction I didn’t need at the moment, and I wasn’t so sure I'd survive if she stayed here much longer.

The door blasted open beside me and Vince stepped through, skidding to a stop at the sight of me. I expected Axell. Vince rested his hand firmly on the handle, squaring his shoulders. His brown hair was pushed back, shaved on the sides.

Like Axell, Vince had come from prison, having robbed a bank before taking someone hostage. We’d paid for his early release a few years into his sentence—an expensive bribe to the parole board—and recruited him to the Crimson Crowes. He now belonged to us.

“What?” I clipped.

The way he looked at Sutton earlier blazed my thoughts, and I ground my teeth as it resurfaced. He’d looked like he wanted a taste, but I wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet between his eyes if he thought about it again. In fact, doing it now wouldn’t be so⁠—

“Sorry, Boss.” Vince cleared his throat. “Ronan will be here in three hours, we just got word from Grave that someone found the Hale car. News reporters are flooding the scene.”

Before I could say anything more or reach for my gun, he shut the door. I exhaled and swallowed whatever Sutton stirred beneath my ribs, knowing that my father would be here soon. To ensure she complied with everything he demanded. And, for a moment, an unfamiliar tightness pressed against me.

I could handle my father, but Sutton couldn’t.

I’d spent years—my entire childhood—complying with every cruel thing my father had forced me to do. After mother died, he’d used me in every way possible.

But Sutton was perfect and utterly mundane.

If Father thought he’d be using her for anything other than what we discussed, I feared it wouldn’t end well for him. I’d never gone against him before, and the thought of defying him settled like ice in my veins.

I exhaled and stared off, getting comfortable as the next three hours were spent outside. I was unwilling to be near Sutton, fearing I’d snap and sink myself inside her. Even though I knew she enjoyed what we did, I wanted her to beg me for it.

Finally, I forced myself downstairs and waited beside Axell and Vince for the elevators to rise.

Once the doors opened, my father, Grave, Naomi, and two more members of the Crimson Crowes greeted me with lowered brows and hard expressions. All of them wore black combat gear except for my father and Naomi.

She stood at the back wearing a mini dress and a blazer with her hair slicked into a pony tail. Grave raked his hand through his blond strands and threw me a devious grin as he strode forward.

They all stepped through, briskly walking past, and their footsteps faded down the hall as they swept past the kitchen. Naomi was the only one who lingered, greeting me with a smile and a kiss to my cheek.

“I couldn’t miss the fun,” she said lightly and glanced at my nose, amused. “You should ice that.”

She chuckled and then followed the others down the hall. I fell into step behind her and held back a growl, my skin pricking. I hated when others invaded my penthouse, storming through like they owned it. Naomi dug through my fridge, then popped open a water bottle. She arched a brow, and hid her smile behind her drink.

Father clicked on the TV mounted above the black-stone mantel that climbed toward the ceiling. The group stood in the center of the living room near my curved, velvet couch that faced the balcony. Their backs were to me as they stared at the oversized TV blaring the news.

“Where is she?” Father asked without looking.

My pulse stumbled. A hundred outcomes flashed through my mind, and none of them ended well for Sutton. To Father, she wasn’t just a captive. She was leverage. And, if she didn’t behave, Sutton might end up in one of the warehouses until she did.

“I’ll get her,” I said, turning for Sutton’s room.

My shoes beat against the marble until I reached her door and scanned my thumb over the lock. Sutton stumbled back with wide eyes as if she’d been listening. I gave her a quick once-over, nostrils flaring as I took her in—drank her in. Everything we did hours ago came roaring back, and I fought the stiffening of my cock as the memory of her plump mouth flooded me.

“Let’s go,” I clipped, reaching for her.

“Where?”

I snatched her elbow, leaning in to whisper, “It’s best if you don’t ask questions—that you cooperate right now. They won’t be as easy on you as I have.”

“As easy as you have? What does that mean? Who won’t be—where are you taking me?”

The questions flew from her mouth, but I forcefully dragged her out the door and ignored the heat building in my palm, flush against her skin.