Page 132 of The Marine

“Then you need to talk to me. Briar is missing. Your daughter is missing.”

Her face paled even further, and her mouth dropped open. “What did you do?”

I rolled my eyes.

“For the love of god.” I growled, trying to stay conscious of my size and power despite this woman trying my patience.

With four words.

“Your daughter is missing. Let’s put aside the past and find her. If she’s not here, where would she be?”

Her eyes darted around and then landed back on mine. I had tried to give her time to catch up with what I told her. My presence had shocked her, and I understood that.

But I didn’t have time for her bullshit and drama.

“What did you do?” She repeated, crossing her arms and taking a step back. “She’s never run away before.”

I stepped into the doorway but didn’t close the door behind me, nor did I go any farther.

“I need to call the police. You can’t be here. You murdered my husband.”

Christ.

Do not shoot her in the face.

“You know very well that I didn’t kill your abuser. Sorry. Your husband.” I wasn’t sorry for pointing out the fucking obvious. This woman was the epitome of ignorant.

Her face was full of fury when she lifted the phone and met my gaze. “They may not have been able to prove it, but I know you did.”

My patience had begun to run out.

“Bullshit.” I snarled. “The only thing killed that night was the love between Briar and me. In fact, no, fuck that. You killed it with this nonsense story of me being responsible for his death. He drank. He was an angry man.”

“He loved us. Provided for us!”

“Abused you!” I shouted back.

“You don’t understand.” She shook, the phone wobbling in her hand.

“Maybe not. But I know you stood by while that man harmed your daughter over and over and over. Then, because of this fucked up story you led her to believe, she was led into the arms of another god- damn abuser.”

She waved the phone at me. “Kael is her husband. You need to stay away from her.”

I slid my hands into my pants and rocked back on my heels. I was looking forward to this part, even if that did make me sadistic.

“You need to sit down,” I said. “Kael is not who he says he is. He was a fugitive on the run until a few hours ago.”

“What?” Her mouth fell open.

I nodded at the sofa and ordered, “Sit.”

She actually did, walking across the room and dropping down onto the same green sofa I’d seen a decade ago. It was faded and old now.

“I need to ring the police if she’s missing,” Mrs. Sutton said, and I could tell she was in a bit of shock.

“They can’t do anything for twenty-four hours. You know that.” I told her. “I have a team of security experts searching for her.”

“Where is she?”

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