Page 58 of My Silver Fox Savior

“My name is Maddie Scott. I’m Lily’s best friend. We met in the fifth grade when she helped get a mud pie out of my hair. Damon O’Connell has kidnapped me and … and …” She sniffles. In the background, a man’s voice, low and steely,“Get on with it …”

“Lily’s here too,” she says, coughing out a choked sob. “I didn’t want to do it, but they made me call her. They made me bring her here.”

“Where’shere?” I growl.

“Another one of their bars. They’ve told me to text you the address.”

“How do I know any of this is true?”

Maddie says something to the men, and then I hear Damon laugh. I’m sure it’s him. His tone is ugly and specific like the rat bastard knows he’s about to do something horrific. He’s happy about it. Maybe that’s what this has all been about for him—getting to torment people.

“He wantsproof?” Damon growls. “Give that here.” Suddenly, his voice is louder in my ear. “Are your security buddies listening, big man? It would be a mistake if they were. I hold all the cards now.Every fucking one.”

“Nobody’s listening,” I snap.

“You should be. Go on. Tell him to save you.”

Lily’s voice tears through me like an accusation. It forces me to realize everything I’ve done wrong—number one being not getting heroutof the city and just to Ethan’s apartment.Fuck. “Stay away from here, Landon. Don’t give him?—”

“The satisfaction, presumably,” Damon says, taking the phone back. “What about that, Landon? Do you find that logic persuasive? Just know, if you did what she said and purposefully withheld my satisfaction from hurtingyou, where do you think I would have to aim my aggression? A man gets bored, after all …”

“Text me that fucking address,” I growl.

“Do you think you’ll make it out of this alive?”

I grin like a madman, catching sight of myself in the cracked bathroom mirror. I look deranged and ready for whatever comes. “Are you telling me there’s another option, Damon?” I say bitterly. “You’re right. You’ve won. My only job now is to mitigate the damage.”

“You know if you trick me and try to bring those security assholes along, it’s going to go very, very bad for these women. You understand that. I hope you do, at least.”

“I get it,” I snap. “What do you want … money?”

“Money,” he laughs grimly. “We’re far past that. You tried to make a fool out of me last night.”

Tried?He looked like a jackass, but I’m not going to tell him that. I’m not going to rub it in. Knowing he has Lily has lit a fire in me like nothing else ever could. As twisted as it is, the fire is even fiercer than when I fought for the kids and their families. It’s more vicious than the apple tree case.

“Nothing to say, Landon? No apology?”

“I just want to get this over with,” I snarl. Truthfully, I want to put him in the dirt, make him pay, make him bleed, and make him scream. The protective impulse is so damn clear that I know I’ll never be able to fight my feelings for Lily again. For the rest of my life, however short it will be, I know she’smine.

“Then you better hurry, lad,” he says. “If I see even asinglesecurity motherfucker, I’m going to make use of these two little sluts and then dump them in the sea. A cement-boots type of deal, understand?”

“That couldn’t be clearer,” I say.

“Good. See you soon.”

I hang up. A moment later, a text arrives. The address is on the other side of the city, conveniently situated next to the water, so he can make good on his threat. Outside the bathroom door, I hear Lex speaking with Grace’s mother. He must ask where I am because Grace says, “In the bathroom, Mister …”

Gritting my teeth, I move toward the window, pushing it open and awkwardly climbing out, scraping my arms on the frame. I hug to the side of the building and then move toward my car. One of the security spots me and begins walking toward me, but they’re here to keep peopleaway, not stop me from leaving.

“Sir?” he calls.

I slam the car door and start the engine. As I quickly drive away, my cell phone starts to ring. I toss it on the passenger seat. This must be Lex, but I can’t think about anything other than keeping my woman safe.

My woman. I don’t give a fuck anymore. I’m tired of running and pretending. I’m tired of thinking I ever stood a chance against this desire, this certainty.

When I saw her outside The Row, I knew without a doubt. Maybe I didn’t acknowledge it then. Hell, perhaps Icouldn’t, but she was mine the moment I saw her.

Speeding across the city, I promise to save my Lily no matter what I have to do or allow to be done to me. She doesn’t deserve any of this. She’s a woman who’s only ever wanted to do the right thing. She’s got the best heart of any person I’ve ever met.

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