“Well, no.”
“Jesus Christ, you dumbshit,” Stuart said.
Alastair walked up, cupped the woman’s chin, and raised her face. His breath stalled in his lungs because her eyes were the most beautiful he’d ever seen, even when they were red and swollen from crying. They were light blue in the middle and green on the other part, and they seemed to look right through him.
“Who is your family?” Alastair asked her.
She sniffed. “I don’t have one besides an uncle I haven’t seen in years.”
“No husband?”
“No. Please, let me go home. I won’t tell anyone. I don’t even know you,” she said.
For once in his life, he made a decision with his heart instead of his head. He pulled out a gun and shot Ross in the forehead in one smooth move.
Everyone in the room stood frozen and in shock until the woman screamed.
Alastair put his gun away and reached for her when it looked like she was going to faint, only to have her flinch in horror away from him. He knew why, but it still pissed him off, which was ridiculous. Of course, she would be terrified of him. He just murdered someone in front of her.
He didn’t like the blood that had been sprayed over her from Ross’s head, and he wanted her clean as soon as possible.
He kept a few feet away from the woman and waited for her to be calm enough to hear him. “My name is Alastair Maclean. We’re the mafia in this part of the city.”
Alastair heard his brother curse behind him and ignored him.
The woman was hunched against the wall. Tears mixed with blood and brain matter ran down her face. “Why are you telling me this? Are you going to kill me next?”
Alastair shook his head. “I’m making sure that you won’t be able to go anywhere, ever.”
“I don’t understand. I’ve never done anything to you or anyone.”
“I know. Sometimes your life takes a path you didn’t expect.” No kidding. He never predicted he’d kidnap a woman and plan to keep her forever. “My advice is to make the best of this. I’ll treat you like a princess as long as you’re loyal to me. Do you understand?”
“No, I don’t. I don’t understand any of this.”
He sighed. “That’s okay. We have plenty of time.” He held out his hand and waited.
She shook her head.
“You can either take my hand and walk out of here with some dignity, or I can have a few of my men carry you out. Choose.”
She studied him for a moment and before she reached for his hand. He could see how much she was trembling, but he would take care of her as soon as they got home. When her shaking, tiny cold hand slid into his hand, something inside of him settled, and a warmth filled him.
“That’s good, baby.” He pulled her along and looked at one of his men. “Take care of Ross.”
“You got it, boss.”
As he led her out to his car, he felt something shift in his universe, and he knew he’d forever be changed. He just didn’t know if it would be for the good or bad. Only time would tell.