Page 49 of Stuck with My Bossy Protector

The men whisper among themselves, occasionally glancing our way. I wrack my brain for a way out, but tied up and outnumbered—our options are grim.

“Why are you here?” Mia asks suddenly, interrupting their powwow. “What do you want?”

Gary’s eyes narrow. “Curious, aren’t you?”

“Maybe I just want to understand,” she replies, her tone even.

Gary sneers. “Understanding won’t save you.”

I grit my teeth, feeling helpless. I promised Mia she’d be safe, but now, with these men in control, that promise feels impossible.

“Watch them,” Gary orders Tim. “I need to make a call.”

He walks outside, leaving the other two. For a brief second, I think the odds are better. Mia and I can take them. Then I remember the guns. The fact that Gary is right outside with another weapon doesn’t help.

“Who are they?” Mia whispers.

“Don’t talk,” Tim orders.

“It’s a long story,” I answer. “I’m going to do what I can to get you out of here.”

She gives a sad smile. “That’s sweet, but I think we both know what’s happening here.”

My heart twists in my chest, thinking about the fate that could befall Mia. Her bravery is admirable. I didn’t want to drag her into my mess, but here she is, tied up by criminals who are dangerous enough to have the DEA and the FBI on their tails.

She looks at me again, and I see something new in her gaze, a determination I don’t recognize. “Don’t worry about me, Noah.”

As if on cue, Gary strides back into the cabin, ending our private exchange. His grin widens as he glances over at us before turning his attention back to his men.

“The boss is happy,” he says smugly, pocketing his phone before looking directly at me. His gaze is icy and menacing. “This ends soon, but he’s decided he would like to speak with Noah personally.”

My stomach churns with fear and anger. I have made an enemy out of a powerful man, Vincent, believing that my testimony against their operation would grant me protection. I was promised none of it would blow back on me.

Chapter twenty-one

Mia

“Get up!” Gary orders.

Fear grips me. I see my life flashing before my eyes.

“Man, you don’t need to do this,” Noah says. “Let her go. You don’t want murder on your rap sheet. They’ll give you life. You’ll never see the light of day again.”

“You’re operating under the assumption that I have to worry about that or that this situation will ever get out,” he sneers.

He grabs Noah’s arm and pulls him off the couch. He pushes him toward the little bedroom.

“You’ll be waiting in there.”

“Waiting for what?” Noah asks.

“Gary. He’d like a word with you.”

Then he drags me off the sofa. I shoot a dirty look at the man. “Do you feel tougher now?” I ask. “Manhandling a woman with her hands tied behind her back. Good job. You’re a big man.”

He laughs, a harsh sound raising the hair on my neck. “You’ve got a mouth on you, don’t you?” he drawls, pulling me closer to him.

I hold his gaze although every instinct screams at me to back away. I refuse to let him see how terrified I am. “You expect me to cower?” I retort.

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