I nod to Langston, and he releases his grip on her arm. Milo starts leading her out the door, pulling her too forcibly. But I compel my body to stay in my seat until he’s gone.
I will get her back. She will not take a step onto that yacht. Even if I have to shoot Milo myself and start an impossible war. I will not let her get hurt.
Kai’s eyes fall to mine, surprising the hell out of me.
I promise her with my eyes. “I will save you—trust me,” I mouth.
“I know,” she mouths back, and then she’s gone.
I’m gutted.
How can she put faith in me after everything I did? After I’m letting a man, who has beaten her before, take her? Did something happen up in that bedroom while I was gone? Did Zeke say something? How can she trust me?
Because I’m her only hope. She has no choice but to put her faith in me.
I can still earn her forgiveness, not that I deserve it. I don’t want to be redeemed. I only want to keep her safe.
I hear the front door shut from my office where Langston stands looking at me like he’s ready to kill me. But I don’t have time to explain myself to him. There is work to do. And I will not fail.
I close my eyes letting the pain I deserve in, because watching another man take Kai was the hardest fucking thing I’ve ever done.
3
KAI
EACH STEP away from Enzo’s office physically hurts.
Each fucking step is another memory of his betrayal. Of the pain he caused me. He fucked up, and somehow I’m the one paying for his mistakes.
Stop.
I can’t think about what Enzo did that landed me in this mess. I can’t think about what my father did that started this all. I can’t think about anything other than finding a way out.
I will never be someone’s slave. Never again.
I’d rather die.
Have faith in Enzo—trust him. Enzo’s done everything he can to protect me, and even though he’s the reason Milo is taking me, he’s the best hope I have at getting free.
But didn’t I learn from last time I can’t have hope in anyone coming to rescue me?
Enzo didn’t know I was taken, last time though. He didn’t make me a promise to keep me safe. To prevent any other man from harming me ever again.
I can’t rely on my father or anyone else coming to save me, but maybe I can count on Enzo coming.
Milo leads me to a blacked out SUV. He opens the door and releases my wrist, waiting for me to get into the car, but not controlling me. He wants me to surrender to him—never going to happen.
“Get in the car, Mrs. Black,” Milo says.
I narrow my eyes and scowl. I know Enzo didn’t confirm our marriage. That would look like a weakness if he gave up his wife to a man like Milo.
“It’s Miller, Kai Miller,” I snap.
“No, it’s not. It?
??s Black. I don’t buy Enzo’s bullshit. You mean something to him. He gave you his mother’s ring. But I don’t know why he sold you. Oh well, his loss is my gain.” Milo sweeps my hair off my neck.
I jump at his touch. Not because his fingers swept over a bruise, but because Milo is the last man on this earth I want touching me.