Page 51 of Ashes of Sin

His focus was mostly on Derek and Sally. “I do need to point out that Kyra is a grown woman, not a missing child.”

My brow had lifted, and Connor noticed.

Of course he fucking did.

“Therefore,” he spelled out, “I need you to know that if we find her and she doesn’t want to come home, we will respect her wishes.”

Sally sobbed and dropped her face to Derek’s shoulder.

He glared at me.

God this is a fucking mess.

“She’s my fiancé. I have a right to know where she is,” I demand.

“No,” Connor said. “You don’t.”

I snapped and launched to my feet as a rampage of insults poured from my mouth. “You’ve been hired to do a goddamn job, Barrett. I want to know where she is! I want her home and at the church on time.”

“Pierce, calm the fuck down.” Derek growled while Connor watched like the beady eyed eagle he is.

He didn’t even flinch when I jumped up. And I’m still a decent sized guy for my age.

“I won’t calm down. Kyra is marrying me.” I hissed and warned Derek next. “You know what’s at stake here?”

He goes silent.

Sally looks between us.

“Whatisat stake, Pierce?” Connor dropped his leg to the floor, leaning forward. His beady eyes locked on me.

Goddamn him.

“This is a business deal. One we have agreed on for a long time,” Derek interjected, and even I heard the rattle in his voice.

I stared coldly at the Marine as I sat back down.

“Kyra is our daughter. What if she’s hurt? Do none of you realize this might not be about her getting married?” Sally snapped.

We all go silent.

Not one of us thinks that.

“There has been no ransom request since she went missing, so it’s highly unlikely, Mrs. Fox,” Connor told her.

As Sally cried, we all took stock of the situation.

I wasn’t sure if Barrett was going to tell us to confess what our deal was or throw in the towel.

But he did neither.

“I feel so responsible.” Sally sobbed further. “Her dress arrived today. We can tell her that she doesn’t have to marry him.”

“No,” both Derek and I say firmly.

“Well, she’s not coming home!” Sally jumped to her feet. “I’m sorry, Mr. Barrett, but I cannot sit here and listen to anymore. I’m going to ring more of her friends.”

Connor nodded as she left the room, then he pressed his fingers together.

---