Page 81 of Owen (Storm Enterprises)

Just how many of these fuckers are there? I don’t know whether to be concerned about their presence or proud that he felt the need to gather an army against me. Maybe my reputation has proceeded me too. With that knowledge, I raise my head and ignore the way my legs feel like collapsing under the damage of the bullets.

The man at the door steps aside, allowing me to walk past him, and when my eyes lock on the scene before me, it takes everything inside me to remain standing.

FORTY

OWEN

Laya is gagged and tied to a chair, and my instant reaction is to lash out and run to free her, pull her into my arms, and smother her with my protection, but the way her pretty green eyes implore mine has awareness creeping up my spine. She tilts her head toward the darkness encompassing the room, and when my gaze follows hers, dread hits me like a searing knife, slicing through my core and stealing the half of my heart that beats solely for him.

Azrael pushes off the bare concrete wall, his entire demonic being unperturbed by the grenade my son clasps in his small hands as he cradles him.

“Az…” My mouth moves, but I’m speechless.

After all, what is there to say?

He holds my world in the palm of his hands, and I’m rendered powerless.

“Take your shirt off.” He nods at me, and I narrow my eyes, trying to understand his thought process. Then he glances atRomeo, and I make quick work of pulling my T-shirt over my head with a wince of pain before depositing it to the floor.

Laya releases a low sob muffled by the gag, and my jaw clenches at her ill treatment. No doubt my girl can see the blood flowing down my chest, but its warmth is a reminder of my battle for them. If I have to be drained of every ounce of my blood to fight for them, I will.

One armed man circles me with a scanner, then nods in Azrael’s direction, and it’s only now I realize they were checking me for a wire.

“I’m impressed.” Azrael chuckles. “Or should I be concerned?”

I stare back at him.

“You came unarmed. Or did you?” He raises an eyebrow.

“I did as you asked, Azrael. Now let them go.”

I try to ignore Laya’s frantic state. Her heavy breathing and choking noises tell me she’s losing faith. That shouldn’t hurt, but it does.

Didn’t I tell her I’d do anything for her?

“The card.” He waves his hand toward one of his men, and I take it from my back pocket, handing it over to him without a second thought.

“Follow me.” He turns, and for a moment, I’m frozen until some prick with a death wish pushes my shoulder, so I shoulder-check him with such force he drops to the floor.

Azrael spins to face me.

“He tripped.” I shrug.

He shakes his head and opens a door leading to an office, and I step inside. One man behind me closes the door and leans against it, and I contemplate my next move.

Could I take them?

“My men have full instruction to blow her brains out if you try anything. Sit.” He points toward the chair opposite him, andmy eyes track Romeo and the way he’s dribbling on the damn grenade.

Then my gaze meets the man they call the devil himself. His hair is slicked back, his eyes so black you’re unable to see his pupils. The scar on his cheek is ominous, and the rumor is, his father delivered it after hearing one of the girls call Azrael handsome. It only adds to his sinister stare, so deadly I swear my balls shrivel up.

This man has committed atrocities. He traffics women and sells them. His family owns sex slave auctions, and not a single one of those girls is willing.

He’s evil beyond belief, and I’m paralyzed to protect my world, my loved ones, against him.

The enormity of being in his proximity has my chest seizing as my skin crawls to get out of there, yet I try to appease him and relax into the chair while every cell in my body fights against the action.

“I gave you the card, Azrael.”

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