Page 5 of Red

“Regrettable. She’s the one thing you can’t have. Say your goodbyes.” Erik turned to his men. “Give them two minutes. If Melinda refuses to walk on her own, then do what you have to.”

He breezed out of the family room and through the kitchen, boots tapping against the hardwood flooring along the hallway until he got to the front door. The creak of the hinges and the echo of the door slamming woke her from her stupor.

Melinda eyed the hired help. She wouldn’t be able to fight them off, and Grams could get hurt in any attempt.

“Grams. I will figure out something, okay? Don’t worry.” Melinda snatched her coat and shoved her arms into the sleeves.

“Don’t fight him. He’s not the sort of man to take to your temper.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll get this straightened out, okay?” She zipped her coat. This could be the last time she saw her grandmother.

Melinda hugged her tightly, memorizing the moment—just in case.

“I’m so sorry, Melinda.”

“No worries.” Melinda pushed her lips into a wide grin. “It’s going to be fine.”

“Let’s go.” The darker-haired lackey gestured for her to get moving.

She wouldn’t allow her grandmother to witness her being dragged off and stuffed into a trunk. No. She would walk on her own feet into the fire, and, with any luck, come running right back out.

Once she had a plan.

Chapter 2

The girl had told him no. And meant it. Erik smirked over the memory. She’d been a bit more than surprised to see him standing in her grandmother’s family room, and shocked into brief silence when she grasped the full situation.

And then she’d told him no.

He couldn’t remember the last time a woman, or anyone, denied him anything. He didn’t make requests, and his demands were never optional.

But she didn’t know that. Yet.

Melinda Manaforte had grown up in a quiet subdivision on the outskirts of the city. She hadn’t been raised with the cruel reality of the world as he had, so, of course, she believed she had options.

“Okay, she’s settled.” Nico entered Erik’s office with a loud exhale.

“She gave you that much trouble?” Erik shut down his laptop. He had all the information he could handle for one night. His research would resume in the morning.

“She gave me that much lip.” Nico shook his head. “She wouldn’t stop asking questions, and when I wouldn’t tell her anything, she threw a few choice insults my way. Next time, Ian can handle the girl when we get back from the collection.”

“There won’t be a next time.” Erik let the statement fall. “She’s the last one on the list.” A grueling, stomach-churning list holding the names of three unsuspecting, innocent girls.

Nico stopped short of the wet bar in the corner of the room. “We’re done? Good.” Nico continued toward the bar, seeking his drink.

None of them enjoyed the task dealt to Erik, but they were too wise to complain. “Uncle Kristoff left a fucking mess.”

His youngest brother poured himself two fingers of whiskey.

“He left more than a mess.” Erik pointed at the glass. “You going to offer me one, or just drink all my liquor?”

Nico stopped mid sip and poured him one.

“Where’s Ian?” Erik asked, noticing his younger brother hadn’t made an appearance since their return from the Manaforte house.

“He went out. Said he’d be home by morning.” Nico lounged in the dark-brown leather armchair near the bar. “I need one of these for my place.” He patted the overstuffed arm.

“Yeah? When’s that going to happen? You having your own place.” Erik made his way to the bar and poured himself a second drink.

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