Page 109 of Playboy

When she didn’t listen and stayed glued to her seat, he screamed at her.

“I fucking said to stand up!”

Gabby stood, her heart pounding in her chest, but her face remained stoic.Stay calm, and play along.Ramon grabbed her elbow roughly and pulled her behind him as they walked down a long hallway.

She made sure to keep her one hand pressed against her dress so Ramon wouldn’t feel it through the fabric.

When they got to a door at the end of the hall, he pushed it open, pulling her inside with him. He quickly locked it.

She scanned the room. It had low, soft lighting and was filled with dark wood furniture and towering bookshelves.

Her eyes darted around, searching for something—anything—to use to her advantage.

She could feel the tension rolling off Ramon as he checked the windows, and his gaze kept falling nervously to the door every few seconds.

He spun around and leveled his evil eyes at her. “I should have listened to Ruben and never brought you here. I just should have had Tyson put a bullet in your head when he had the chance to,” he hissed.

Gabby knew when to stay silent. And now was the time to do so. Ramon was beyond angry. And he was scared. She wondered if someone actually did breach his security. Could it be Playboy? Or was it a rival cartel looking to overtake him? Her mind was racing with thoughts. The knife in her pocket felt like both a lifeline and a risk. She had one shot, and it had to count.

Ramon’s temper flared as he paced, his hand gripping the pistol he carried.

Suddenly, he spun around and aimed the gun at her. Gabby didn’t flinch, but her heart pounded faster.

Just as she thought he was going to end her life right there, the wind outside picked up, and something struck the window with a loudthunk, rattling the glass.

Ramon glanced toward the window, distracted for just a second. But it was long enough for her to make a move.

In one swift motion, she pulled the steak knife from her pocket and lunged, driving it deep into Ramon’s side. He let out a guttural yell, stumbling back, but the blow wasn’t fatal. His eyes, wide with shock, quickly turned murderous.

“Youbitch!” he roared, clutching his side. Blood seeped through his fingers, but instead of slowing him down, it only seemed to enrage him more. He grabbed her by the throat, shoving her against the wall with brutal force. Gabby gasped, her vision blurring for a moment as her head hit the wood paneling.

“Do you think this will stop me?” Ramon growled, tightening his grip. “I’ll kill you here and now.”

Gabby struggled, clawing at his hands, as the air left her lungs. She kicked her leg out and caught him in the shin, but he barely reacted. Just when she thought she might black out, the lights flickered once, twice—then went out completely, plunging the room into darkness.

The storm was starting to pick up strength, wreaking havoc outside, but inside, the sudden darkness was her salvation.

Gabby didn’t hesitate. With Ramon momentarily disoriented, she reached down and quickly detached her prosthetic leg. The hiss of the release mechanism was lost in the chaos as she swung it upward, catching Ramon across the head with a dullthud.

He grunted in pain, releasing her neck as he staggered back, dazed by the blow. Gabby didn’t stop. She swung again, harder this time, hitting him squarely in the face. The impact sent himreeling, and she could feel the weight of the prosthetic in her hand like a weapon. She continued to swing, hitting him, blow after blow.

???

Playboy crouched behind a line of dense foliage as Roman’s estate’s lights flickered in the distance. The air was hot and heavy with the incoming storm. The wind, already fierce, whipped across the compound, rustling leaves and carrying with it the unmistakable scent of the ocean.

Playboy’s radio crackled in his ear as he surveyed the scene with his team. The dark clouds overhead churned, threatening to unleash their fury on the ground below.

“Window’s closing fast, boys,” Derek's voice came through, low but clear. “We get Gabby out now, or we don’t get her at all.”

Playboy’s heart pounded in his chest. This wasn’t just another mission for him. It was Gabby—his Gabby. But as much as his mind screamed to rush in, his training kept him grounded. He had a job to do, and panicking wasn’t going to help anyone.

“Cutting the power now,” Tink whispered into his mic.

Suddenly, the compound plunged into darkness, and like clockwork, his team sprang into action. Jay Bird, Aussie, Nails, Snow, and the others began taking out guards with swift precision, their silenced weapons cutting through the night with deadly accuracy. Playboy stayed low, following close behind Derek as they edged toward the house, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

A crackle came through the earpiece again—this time Nails. “Got eyes on Gabby. Southeast corner room. She’s not alone. Ramon’s in there with her.”

Playboy’s stomach twisted. He clenched his jaw, willing himself to stay focused.Stay calm. Don’t lose it now.Hecouldn’t afford to lose his cool, no matter how much fear surged inside him. Gabby wasn’t just any hostage—she was the woman he loved.

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