Page 79 of Ashes of Sin

“Maddox Sterling, you are under arrest,” one of the cops with blond hair says.

“For what?” Parker stands in his way.

“Parker,” I warn, not wanting any of them to be brought into this.

“No, fuck that. She was here on her own free will.” Parker props his hands on his hips.

At thirty-one, Parker is a well-known investor of businesses in the United States and a billionaire. His companies are listed in the Fortune 500, and he frequently donates to causes.

Likely for his own benefit.

“Mr. Stone, please stand down,” the cop says.

“Ask her,” he demands as Kyra finally lifts her head from her father’s chest.

I don’t like her being this far from me. And don’t fucking like that she won’t look at me.

“Kyra,” I repeat through gritted teeth.

“How dare you fucking come into my home and take my daughter?” Derek Fox growls as I study the hold he has on Kyra. There’s little affection. He’s simply keeping her from moving.

I remain silent.

I’m not saying a thing until my lawyer gets here.

“Calling Troy right now,” Travis says from behind me, on it.

“Thank you,” I say, not taking my eyes off Kyra.

She finally lifts her head and looks directly at me as my heart pounds. As it crumbles.

“Come here,” I say in the darkest and roughest voice I have.

If she leaves with them, I know I’ll never see her again. That is unacceptable. She belongs to me. Anger begins to bubble up with every second that passes, and she doesn’t walk back across the room.

“Mr. Sterling, we are arresting you for kidnapping. I recommend you refrain from talking to the victim,” the blond cop says, pulling out some handcuffs.

“I didn’t kidnap anyone.” I growl.

“Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?” her father asks, holding her at a distance.

He doesn’t care. I can see it in his eyes. He’s looking for something else to charge me with.

“How did you get in here?” Travis demands of the cops.

“Step back, sir.” One of them holds up his hands and Travis rolls his eyes, shooting me a look. I shake my head back, telling him it’s okay.

But it’s not fucking okay.

I want her back.

My cock was just filling that woman, and she belongs to me. I felt it with my goddamn soul. I will burn the fucking planet to ashes to get her back if I need to.

What would be really fucking nice is if she was honest and admitted how she felt these past few hours and days and walked back over here.

“Kyra.” Her father presses her for an answer because we all know her testimony will be vital here.

“I...” Kyra starts and glances back at me, then at the cops.