He ended the call and slid my phone into his pocket. “Now. Where were we?” He tapped his lips with the gun. “I’d like some breakfast.”
He gestured with the gun, indicating that he wanted me to get up. This was good—a change of location could be good. It might give me the opportunity to grab a weapon, catch him off guard.
But when he pressed the gun to the small of my back, the cold, hard metal digging into my skin, a chill ran through me. Catch him off guard? The guy might not be much taller than me, but he had a good forty pounds on me. And he was out of his mind.
We made it to the kitchen. Luna was nowhere to be seen, and for that, I was grateful. Stay hidden, Lunakins.
George took a seat at the table, clearly expecting me to serve him. “Coffee. Black.”
Some of my fear was replaced by anger. Screw him and his dictatorial attitude. Screw him for putting me in this position. The longer he sat there glancing around my house with disdain, the angrier I was.
I made the coffee in silence. All the while, I tried to work out a plan. I needed to get myself out of this situation before Connor arrived. Maybe I could grab a knife? But then what? I would certainly lose against a gun.
I made the coffee, carrying it over to him with shaky hands. I was about to set it on the table, when I decided to “accidentally” knock it over instead. It wasn’t the most original move, but it was all I had at the moment.
Scalding hot coffee splashed on his lap.
“Fucking bitch.” He leaped up, the dark liquid staining his pants.
He shook out his hands, and the gun glinted at me from the table. My heart was pounding so hard, I was surprised he couldn’t hear it. I lunged for the gun, but he quickly overpowered me. He grabbed it and twisted my arms behind my back. I sucked in a sharp breath, tears stinging my eyes.
“I was playing nice. But that ends now. Sit.” He yanked me down onto a barstool.
He pulled several zip ties from his pocket, binding my wrists behind my back. He reeked of alcohol, and my skin crawled from his touch. Perhaps sensing my disgust, he lifted the gun, dragging it along my neck.
“You’re a bit larger than the women I usually prefer, but I might be willing to make an exception.” His deranged smile and bloodshot eyes were haunting.
I flinched at his threat, closing my eyes and turning my head to the side. I just wanted this to be over. I wanted this to be a bad dream. I wanted to open my eyes and be in the kitchen eating breakfast with Connor, Luna weaving through our feet.
“Nice of you to join us.”
I snapped my eyes open—at least part of my wish had come true. I hadn’t even heard Connor come in. He was stoic, detached. Eerily calm.
The plastic dug into my wrists, and I tried to wriggle my hand through the tight opening while remaining as still as possible.
“Let her go. Your issue is with me.” Connor’s deep voice was commanding.
George shook his head, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Why would I do that?” he spat. “You took my wife, my daughter. My father disowned me.”
Suddenly, it all made sense. This must be the ambassador’s son. But what did he mean about taking his family?
My head snapped to Connor. His feet were planted on the floor, rage pouring out of him like a volcano ready to explode. But he projected confidence and control, and it gave me hope. This was what he was trained for.
“Now that the guest of honor has arrived, we can have some fun.” George turned to me. “Let’s see…” He dragged the barrel of the gun along my jawline. I tried not to shake, afraid that any movement would set him or the gun off. “How long…” He lingered on my lips, the metallic smell infiltrating my nose. “You can keep your cool.”
He was taunting Connor, testing him. When he slid the gun down my neck, over my collarbone and down to my breast, I closed my eyes briefly and inhaled a slow, deep breath. When I reopened them, Connor’s eyes were narrowed on George, rage rolling off him despite his calm demeanor.
“Let her go. This is your last warning.”
George cackled, turning to face Connor. “You’re weak. You attacked me last time, but you didn’t have the guts to finish what you’d started. You’re a coward. And you took what was mine. So, it’s only right that I return the favor.”
Pain and regret flashed in Connor’s eyes. My stomach hardened, a wave of nausea hitting me. It was so fierce, it made it difficult to breathe. I refused to stand by and watch someone insult the man I loved. But what could I do? Maybe if George believed I meant nothing to Connor, he’d drop this.
I bolted upright. “I’m nothing to Connor. I’m…”
“Shut up! I wasn’t talking to you!”
I never saw it coming. His hand collided with my jaw, and I fell back onto the stool as tears stung my eyes. I was so shocked, I couldn’t even react. And even if I could’ve, my hands were tied behind my back. My cheek burned from the impact, but it was the shock radiating through me that was most jarring. He’d hit me. He’d actually hit me.
Connor edged closer ever so slowly, and I held my breath.
“That slap was nothing,” George said. “You come any closer, and I will shoot.” He pressed the gun to my temple, and a tear streaked down my cheek.
“Okay.” Connor held up his hands. “I’m not going anywhere.”
George glanced down at me. “Mm. Nice lips. I bet they’d look good wrapped around my cock. This will be even more fun than I thought—” He unbuttoned his pants with one hand, using the other to jab the gun to my breast.
My stomach churned, and I tried to remind myself that Connor would never allow that to happen. But he wasn’t the one holding the gun or calling the shots at this point.
George cackled, reaching into his pants as I looked away with tears in my eyes. “It’s time you learn how a real man treats a woman.”
Out of the corner of my eye, there was a flash of color. A roar. My stool fell back in the process, sending me tumbling to the floor. There was a gunshot. The taste of blood. And then darkness.
Chapter Sixteen
Connor
Motherfucker.
I pummeled him, using my fists to exact my punishment. “Son of a bitch! You’re one sick bastard.”
He wouldn’t get away with this. I wouldn’t let him hurt anyone else and certainly not Olivia. He struggled, holding up his hands to protect his face, as I continued my unrelenting assault. And then someone was grabbing my arms, pulling me off him.
“Connor. Stop.” Mark’s voice was commanding.
I hovered over George, panting as I gripped his shirt in one hand. Fist poised to punch him again. My need for vengeance was in control, overriding reason.
“All clear.” Liam entered the kitchen, tactical gear on and gun in hand.
Jackson was behind him, and I wondered how many more were outside. I’d called Mark as soon as I’d heard from George. The guys at Cole had immediately flown into action, gathering a team before heading to Olivia’s house.
“Pulse is good, but she’s not waking up,” Liam said, and that snapped me out of my rage.
I glanced over at Olivia and found her lying on the floor, limbs sprawled out. Liam had already cut the ties binding her wrists. And concern for her overtook anything else, even my desire to make George pay.
“Olivia.” I gasped for air, feeling as if my chest were collapsing.
An eerie silence followed.
I’d never known pain like this. Not when I’d been shot. Not even when I’d gone through SERE training as a SEAL. Absolutely nothing could’ve prepared me for this blazing agony.
I begged her to wake up, pleaded. And yet, she didn’t move. Her eyes were closed as if she were sleeping, but I knew better.
Would I ever learn from my mistakes? I’d been so intent on punishing him that I’d neglected her in the process.
I scooped her into my arms. “Goody. Please wake up.”
She was… Oh god. Why hadn’t I told her I loved her? Now, I might never… Th
is was all my fault.
“Don’t even think about it,” Mark said to George, kicking the gun away from his hand.
Jackson crouched to pick it up and stepped forward to help Mark restrain George. All the while, my attention was focused on Olivia. Why wouldn’t she wake up?
I searched her for any sign of injury, but there was none. At least not apart from the red marks around her wrists and the bruise blossoming on her cheek.
“Likely a concussion. No other obvious signs of injury.” My voice sounded calm, clinical, even when I was anything but.
George moaned to my right. “What about me?”
I clenched my jaw. The bullet had barely grazed his shoulder, and he acted like he was dying. Considering the way he’d treated his wife and daughter, he was fucking lucky we hadn’t done more. And after what he’d done to Olivia… I shook my head, my vision clouding with rage once again.
I took a deep breath, attempting to calm myself down. Unless I wanted to be sent to prison like my father, I knew I had to get myself in check. If not for me, for Olivia.
But then her eyes fluttered open, those green orbs peering up at me. She could’ve been out for five seconds or five days, but it felt like the longest stretch of time in my life. I breathed a sigh of relief, peering down at her with a smile.
Thank fuck she was alive. She was awake. But that thought was quickly replaced by guilt. This asshole had tried to hurt her. Because of me. If I hadn’t been so impulsive, so reckless, she wouldn’t have been knocked over when I’d charged him.
“Connor?” she croaked. Her eyes searched my face as if looking for reassurance.
“Yeah, Goody.” I smoothed her hair away from her face, tamping down my emotions. “I’m here. You’re okay.”
“Let’s get her to the hospital,” Liam said. “You should probably get checked out too.”
“I’m fine.”
“Your hand is bleeding.”
I glanced down, only then realizing it was. But I didn’t care about that. I cared about Olivia. I would’ve rather been shot again than see her hurt.
“You drive them,” Jackson said to Liam. “We’ll get this cleaned up.”
I stood, cradling her in my arms as I carried her toward the door. Her arms were wrapped around my neck, her head against my chest. I inhaled her scent, wanting to kiss her so damn bad. But I didn’t deserve it. Not after the way I’d walked out on her this morning.
After helping her into a pair of my sweatpants, I placed her in the car, holding her in my lap all the way to the hospital. The entire time, I vowed I would do anything in my power to protect her. Even though I’d already failed her. I should’ve known the entitled prick wouldn’t be able to leave well enough alone. But I never could’ve anticipated he’d do something like this.
We didn’t talk as Liam raced across the city. Mostly because I didn’t know what to say. I’m sorry seemed inadequate. And I love you seemed inappropriate, even as I stroked her hair and peered into her eyes, hoping she’d see the love there. George was right about one thing—I was a coward.
When we finally arrived, I carried her in, despite her protests. We were escorted to a room where a doctor ran a series of tests. They left with the promise to return for a CT scan, and she patted the spot beside her. I took a seat, and she held my hand in hers, and my body relaxed at the connection.
“Connor.” Olivia squeezed my hand, bringing my attention to her. “Are you okay?”
I scoffed. “Am I okay?” I shook my head. “Goody, you nearly died.”
She rolled her eyes, but beneath her bravado, I saw fear. “Stop being dramatic. I passed out for like a second.”
I shook my head, drawing in a deep breath through my nose. I needed to stay calm—for her.
“I’m okay. You’re okay. That’s all that matters.” How was she so composed after everything that had happened?
“The fuck it is,” I ground out. “He could’ve…” I closed my eyes and swallowed hard as a multitude of scenarios played out in my mind.
I kept replaying his phone call in my head. And I remembered her face when I’d peered through the window. She’d been terrified. And it was all my fault. A sickening feeling settled in my gut.
“Stop,” she said. “Stop blaming yourself.”
I cupped her cheek, and she winced. There was a pang near my heart, a reminder that this was my fault. And that I should’ve fucking remembered she’d been slapped. I pulled my hand back, but she placed it on top of hers instead. “I’m so sorry.”
She shook her head, her eyes peering up at me with such trust. Trust I didn’t deserve. “There’s no need to apologize. It’s not your fault.”
“No.” I hung my head. “I put you in danger.”
“You saved me, Connor.”
“You never would’ve been in that position were it not for my actions.” I picked at the coarse fibers of the hospital blanket, hating myself. “And you…” I sucked in a breath. “You were so strong, so brave.”
Watching her stand up to George had been both inspiring and terrifying. And she’d done it for me. She’d defended me, even when her life was at stake.
“Listen to me.” She grasped my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze. “You are not responsible for someone else’s decisions. You—”
There was a knock at the door, and a nurse collected Olivia for the CT scan. She left, but not before saying, “We’ll talk more when I get back.”
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure what more there was to say. I’d fucked up. She’d gotten hurt.
I returned to the hall to make a few phone calls but found Liam waiting for me. He leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed over his chest.
“How is she?” he asked, pushing off the wall and coming to join me.
I lifted a shoulder. “She seems almost too calm. I think she’s in shock.”
“And you?” he asked.
“I’m fine.”
He scoffed. “Let’s try that again, shall we? The woman you love was held at gunpoint.”
My eyes flashed to his. “Who said anything about love?”
“You didn’t have to. It’s obvious to everyone. Have you told her?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “No.”
“Why not?”
I kicked at the floor. “She doesn’t want long-distance.”
He laughed, patting me on the back. “That’s the problem?”
I was annoyed by his smug tone, his smile. “Three thousand miles is a pretty significant problem. And she’s adamant.”
“I would tell you to transfer to LA, but I’m guessing that’s not the real issue.”
Damn Liam for being so perceptive. But I didn’t say anything because he was pissing me off. I’d already gotten in one fight today; I wasn’t going to start another.
“You have to stop beating yourself up for other people’s actions. We can’t control others. All we can do is our best to protect the ones we love.”
I stared at the floor, counting the linoleum tiles. First Olivia, and now Liam.
“And what if our best isn’t enough?”
“Do you know why we call you Cujo?” he asked, surprising me with the sudden change of topic.
“Because I’m dangerous. Wild, like a rabid dog.”
He shook his head. “Because you are relentless in protecting the people you care about. You protected Olivia. Even if the outcome wasn’t what you wanted, it could’ve been a helluva lot worse.”
“She wouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place were it not for me.” I pounded the wall with my fist. It fucking hurt, but I deserved it. If I could take away all of Olivia’s pain, I would.
“Connor.” Disappointment coursed through his voice. “George is an entitled prick who’s deranged.”
I laughed, though the sound was mirthless. “I agree with you on that. But Olivia’s safer without me.”
“Would Lee be safer without me?” His blue eyes pinned me, sparkling with a clarity I envied.
“Maybe. Maybe not. Everyone in this company has been a target at some point or another. But I love her, and she knows I would lay down my life for her and our kids.”
I nodded, understanding. I might have endangered Olivia, but I would do anything to protect her.
“You did good today,” he said.
“What are you talking about? I rushed at him. I was reckless again.”
“We’d all do the same thing in your shoes. And the fact that you called Mark and waited for us to arrive speaks volumes.”
I swiped a hand over my face, exhausted from the conversation and the day. “What happens now?” All I wanted was to hold Olivia. To know she was safe in my arms.
“To George? Or to you and Olivia?”
“Both.”
“You know we’ll take care of George. As to what happens with you and Olivia, that’s up to you. But I didn’t think you were the type of guy to let fear control you.”
“I’m not afraid.” I swallowed, though the words were thick in my throat.
“Deep down…when it comes to love, we’re all a little afraid. And you know what—that’s a good thing. It isn’t easy to risk your heart. But hey, no risk, no reward, right?”
I nodded, knowing he was right. Of all the guys I worked with, Liam was one of my favorites. While he was serious at work or anytime he was in professional mode, he could also be like a big brother to the guys. And while he didn’t sugarcoat it, he did give good advice. He was honest and wise. I respected the hell out of him.
It wasn’t long before Olivia was discharged with instructions to rest, and Liam dropped us off at her house. While we were gone, the guys had set everything back to rights. I would never forget what happened, but I hoped having the house in order would bring Olivia some peace.
As I started a bath, she sat on the edge of the tub, staring ahead as if in a daze. I didn’t say anything, just undressed her silently as I scanned her body for injuries. But I knew the greatest damage was to her mind and her heart. She’d experienced a trauma, and she was struggling to process it.
When I turned for the door, she reached out for me. “I don’t want to be alone.”
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