“Where is my husband?”
My father closes the space between us. I fight not to show my fear, because I know he’d enjoy that all too much.
“About that.” My father’s hand shoots out, grabbing a fist full of my hair. It takes me by surprise since he never gets physical with me. “You thought you could run from me? You belong to me, and I choose who can have you. Your marriage to Devlin Harrigan will be annulled. Alonzo has made me an offer for you, surprisingly. One I’d be stupid to refuse.” His eyes flick over me in confusion as to why someone would actually do that. “He must want to give Devlin a ‘fuck you.’ He doesn’t really want you. Who would?” His words hit their target.
“I don’t understand. I thought you let me marry Devlin. What changed?” I ask, scared to hear the answer. I wish I was stronger. Growing up in this lifestyle should give you a thick skin, but right now I’m raw. Also very confused.
I find it hard to believe Devlin would change his mind, but as much as he is possessive of me, he hasn’t said he loves me. I know most men in this life pick money and power over everything else. That’s what they love the most.
“I didn’t agree to anything.” His hand in my hair tightens painfully. My eyes burn with tears. “He stole you. Now he will pay for that.”
“He told me you agreed to the marriage.” Hadn’t he? Wait, did he ever actually say that? Why else had he rushed for us to get married?
“Are you surprised he’s a liar? I thought the ugly ones were at least smart.” He chuckles before he releases his hold on my hair. I stumble back a step and bump into someone. Surprisingly, Jeremiah grabs me before I can fall. He grips one of my breasts, copping a feel. I jerk away from him. He glares at me silently, letting me know I’ll pay for that later. I can’t be left alone with this man.
“Why annulled? Isn’t Alonzo going to kill him?” Benny asks my father, folding his arms over his chest. My heart drops as all the blood rushes to my ears.
“I don’t know. Alonzo is a weird fuck.”
“He’s going to kill him, right?” Benny pushes.
“He might not want to start a war. All I care about is my cut.”
“He has to die, boss.” Benny shifts on his feet almost nervously. “He’ll come for her.”
A mixture of emotions floods me. Benny is so sure Devlin will come for me. That only death will stop him. It gives me hope but rips me in two. They are going to kill him. God, what if he’s dead already? My stomach turns at the thought.
My father ponders this for a moment before he pulls out his phone. He motions for all of us to follow after him. Jeremiah nudges me along, patting my ass. What the hell? I hurry forward to catch up with my father. I want to know who he’s calling. He enters a giant office.
“Fuck. Where is that jumped-up asshole Alonzo?” He huffs, pulling the phone away from his ear and dialing it again. He does this a few more times, no one ever answering his call. “Get someone over to that club. I want to know what is going on there now!”
For the first time in my life, I see fear in my father’s eyes. Benny pulls out his own phone and makes a call, ordering someone to get over to the club. I can’t help but smile at the thought of Alonzo being dead or close to it. Why else wouldn’t he answer?
“Wipe the smile off your face or I’ll do it for you,” my father spits as he makes his way over to a small bar. He pours himself a drink and shoots it back. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. It’s damn hard.
Benny’s phone goes off. He answers it quickly. “All of them?” he asks the person on the other end of the line. “Get back here now,” he orders them before he ends the call. “They're all dead, and Devlin is nowhere to be seen.” Benny’s eyes flick to me. “He’s going to come for her. We should leave her and go.”
My father ignores him. His attention comes back to me. “What did you do?” He drops his glass down onto the bar so hard it shatters. Shards of glass tinkle onto the floor.
“Boss. She’s the only thing between us and him,” Benny points out.
“Then she’ll be our bait. We’re not running.” My father’s chest puffs out like he won’t back down. The reality is there is nowhere he can go. I think he’s realizing that too. “Take her upstairs,” he orders Jeremiah. Oh God no.