Page 64 of Ruthless Beasts

“Adam…”

The knock at the door had me jumping. Seconds later, Ace had the door pushed open, interrupting the first genuine moment I’d had with my husband in… ever.

Ace cleared his throat. “I thought I’d let you know we’d got word that Accardo’s incoming shipment had sunk. Perfect timing with the surprise warehouse raid.”

I gasped. Fear curled around my stomach. But Adam only held me tighter as he smiled sinisterly. “Excellent. Make the next arrangement. And have the car pulled up to the elevator. We’re leaving early today.”

“Will do.”

The door shut as Adam pulled away, walking to his desk to collect his things. “It’s a good day, Belle. A good fucking day.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ADAM

“How much property have we gained?” I asked Ace as I leaned back in my chair in my home office.

“We’ve two more properties left before we fully own a few miles of docks.”

“What’s the holdup?”

“They won’t sell,” he admitted, “but we’re working on it.”

I looked toward Mercer. “If they won’t sell, make them.”

I’d been playing the long game long before Belle entered my life. I had just never thought my long game would come in handy. I bought every property that came up along the docks, made deals to acquire ones that weren’t for sale, trying to get the upper hand on real estate. My patience had paid off. Now, except for those two pieces of property, Accardo would have to get through my territory to get any shipments to his warehouses. A lot of accidents could happen in those few miles of trespassing.

“I heard there were some electrical shortages in Accardo’s restaurants. The city shut down all locations.” Ace smirked.

“All at once?” I acted shocked.

“He’s furious.” Ace stood and stretched. “I’m sure he knows why it happened and that he can’t do a damn thing to bypass city orders.”

I followed his lead, standing and pushing my chair under my desk. “I bet he’s losing a shit ton of cash by the hour.”

“He had it to spare.” Mercer was unsympathetic. “Small fish. It will add up, though. And when it does, expect it to come back to us.”

I knew this and still, I instantly felt the worry consume me. Not for myself or my men. We could take care of ourselves. But for Belle. “We should cancel the gala.”

“He’s not dumb enough to retaliate so publicly. Go enjoy the night,” Ace insisted. “Bellamy is coming, after all.”

“That’s why I want to cancel,” I admitted.

“We’ve got her. We always do.” Mercer patted me on the back as he stepped past me. He pulled open the door and froze. “Bellamy.”

My stomach sank. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes were hurt at my tone. “You’re not allowed in the west wing of the house.”

“I just…“ She looked around, her gaze falling to the wall of family photos, all my life before her. “I wanted to watch a movie, but it can wait.”

She turned, her hair flipping with the motion. Before she could move more than a foot, Mercer's hand reached out, grabbing the ponytail that was flopping about and pulling her back to his chest. Her breath hitched, but I knew it had nothing to do with pain and everything to do with the action. Did our little Belle like the roughness? Enjoy the bite of pain the pulling of her hair caused?

With her back to his chest, he leaned into her, his hand still fisting her hair. His voice was gravelly as he spoke into her ear, “Were you going to run from us?”

“I-“ Her head shook from side to side, furiously denying it. “No. I wasn’t.”

“You were.” He called her out. “Are your feelings hurt because you were warned not to come here, and you disobeyed? Or are you sensitive because we have pasts that didn’t include you?”

“Let go of my hair, Mercer,” she ordered him.

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