Page 105 of Borden 3

“They’re drawing guns, Theo,” one of his men stated, peering out the kitchen window. “They’re about to storm the house, man.”

Theo’s eyes shot to the hallway. To Stasia’s room. My heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, the door thundered with force. I raced across the room, hurrying to it. The door splintered and then broke down with the next kick. I paused in my step as Theo cut in front of me, his arm shooting out to stop me.

My eyes were wide, my breathing fast as I watched my husband stand in the doorway, his terrifying form outlined by the inky night. His face was so dark, so terrifying, I almost didn’t recognize him as he stepped into the room, his hand clenched tightly around a gun.

“Borden, stop,” I said, moving past Theo. “Stop, baby. I’m fine.”

But Borden’s eyes were glued to Theo’s. “Motherfucker has a death wish.”

I stood between them, holding my arms out on each side. “Please, Borden. Wait.”

Theo’s eyes were hard on Borden’s. “I let you get this close, Borden—”

Borden thundered past me. He shoved at Theo’s chest, spitting curses. “You let me get this close?”

My skin prickled with awareness. The bikers were outside. Theo’s men were everywhere, they just couldn’t see them. And the men inside were both guarding Stasia’s room and looking enraged that their leader was being pushed around.

This was going to get ugly.

I rushed to Borden’s side, grabbing at his arm, tugging him back, away from Theo. I’d never seen him so angry. His veins protruded from his neck. His body was taut, standing tall, his muscles clenched as he readied himself for a fight.

“Stop, Borden,” I begged. “Baby, he saved us. Okay? He saved us.”

At my words, Borden tore his gaze away from Theo. He stared down at me, and his entire body shuddered for a moment. I’d broken through. It seared me with relief that I could do it when he was like this. He gripped me by the arm and hauled me into his chest, wrapping me tightly against him. His heart was beating raucously against me. I felt his fear and his relief.

“No fighting,” I whispered to him. “His daughter is here, Borden. She’s in the next room. Please.”

If he heard me, he didn’t show it. He simply returned his attention back to Theo. “I know you have men on your property. They’ve been disbanded before we even showed. I know there’s a safehouse underneath our feet. I also know your little girl’s not in her room but down there as we speak. Don’t fucking try and tell me you let me into this house, motherfucker. I already knew where to find you the second you took my woman.”

I risked a glance at Theo as he replied, “Where were your men when your girl was attacked? She’d be floating in the river by now if we hadn’t intervened. You ought to be thanking me.”

Borden’s body went still. He stopped breathing. Shit.

“I can help you,” Theo said next. “You can’t be everywhere at once. You don’t have enough men to fight these guys. Hundreds of them, Borden. Scattered all over this rotting city, and my boys know where to find them. You feeling me?”

Borden didn’t respond.

He just stared at Theo, his hold on me tight.

“How many more men do you want buried?” Theo pressed. “How many more wives do you want grieving? What if it’s your boy next?”

Now I wrapped my arms around Borden, holding him tight because I felt the tremor in him. Felt his heart pound harder. He was furious. A ticking time bomb. I was scared he was going to blow.

“Where’s Hector?” asked a familiar voice. Footsteps sounded behind Borden. Hawke’s giant body stopped beside us. He sounded lethal. “Give me my brother.”

“He’s all yours,” Theo returned, his eyes still glued on Borden. Hawke’s breath thinned as he caught sight of Hector. He raced to him as Theo kept his attention focused on my husband. “I’ll give you time to think about it, Borden.”

“Nothing to think about,” Borden barked back. “I don’t make deals with snakes.”

Theo grinned. “I’ll be waiting.”

He turned away from us, disappearing down the hallway and to Stasia’s bedroom. His men followed. Within seconds, it was just Borden, Hawke, Hector and I in the room. Hawke inspected Hector quickly as Borden’s chest moved rapidly, his thoughts firing through him. He looked down at me, his hands roaming my torn shit.

“How bad are you hurt, Doll?” he asked, his voice strangled.

“Bruises, mostly,” I answered. “Nothing serious. Hector needs more attention than me.”

Borden’s jaw tensed as he glared at Hawke. Hawke caught the look and sighed resignedly. Unspoken words exchanged. Something had gone down between them.

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