Page 54 of Borden 3

“What set them off?” I whispered.

“Baby, it could have been a freak accident…”

My eyes hardened on his.

We both knew it couldn’t have been an accident.

“The security system hasn’t been updated in a while,” he whispered back, like he was trying to convince himself now. “Until we know for certain, I’m keeping you and our boy here.”

I didn’t get a chance to press for more because Borden was already marching out of the room with Gerry on his tail, holding bags of weapons. I couldn’t believe what was happening. How quick they assimilated, getting ready to wage war like it was just another day.

Hector came up from behind me and locked the steel door to the armoury. He activated the alarm for the room as I helplessly stood around.

“Are you going?” I asked him, and I hated how vulnerable I felt.

“And leave you alone in peace?” He smirked. “You’re stuck with me, sweets.”

I didn’t return the smile, too busy worrying for Borden. I was going to sick myself. I hurried down the tight corridor after him, feeling all kinds of fucked up. I stared at his muscled back and strong stride. “You don’t have to go out there, Borden. Let the men do it. Have the bikers come and help. Please—”

Borden spun around and silenced me with a harsh kiss to the mouth. His entire arm wrapped around me, tugging me into his vested chest. I sagged in his arms, my panic abating only a little. “You’ll be out of here in no time,” he promised.

“Please,” I argued, helplessly. “Don’t do this alone.”

“I’m not alone.”

What if his men weren’t enough?

“Borden…”

“Emma…”

I brushed my lips against his one more time, and then he was gone.

Chapter Twenty-One

Emma

Past

It was a college house party. People in their early twenties or late teens attended. Theo may have just been seventeen, but he fit in because he was so much bigger than kids his age.

I felt out of my comfort zone. We usually holed up in some secret spot he’d find us and chill. Theo assured us we’d still do that, but that he needed to meet with some guys first.

I wanted to believe that, but sometimes he detoured like this. But instead of a house party, he’d compete in a fight. I wondered if he secretly did it for the money. I didn’t know how he was getting by.

The house party was in a crappy neighbourhood. The house itself was aged and little. There were people everywhere, though, mostly hanging around the backyard or in the small lounge room. Music played as groups of people played cards or downed shots. Laughter and crazy, obnoxious screams could be heard over the music.

Right before we’d even stepped in, a girl was vomiting in the garden beside the front door. I shot Theo a disgusted look, and he laughed, grabbing at my hand and pulling me along.

“It’s gonna be quick, I promise,” he said.

But it wasn’t very quick. He was in search of someone in particular. We went through the entire house, room to room. He didn’t tell me the name of the guy he was looking for, but I sensed when he found him. His entire body straightened, and his eyes lingered on a lanky looking man that was in the basement, sitting on a torn up couch. On the coffee table was a black velcro backpack and beside that was a stack of cash. A lit cigarette was in his mouth as he picked up the cash and began to count it.

Instead of approaching him, Theo took my hand and led me out of the basement and to the backyard. He found an empty patio chair and turned to me. “Sit here and wait for me, alright?”

My eyes bugged out of my head. “You’re going to leave me out here alone?”

Theo took my face into his hands, his green eyes peering into mine. He looked solemn. “I’m coming straight back. I just gotta talk to that guy. It’ll be real quick.”

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