Page 147 of The Dark Obsession

“They’ll be in the back.” He nods towards a secluded area that’s been walled off.

It has most likely been used as an office to keep track of the inventory back when this building wasn’t a façade for whatever illegal shit happens here now.

“Tyson will be a useful hostage to them now.”

That doesn’t come as a surprise, yet I can’t help the violent shudder that surges through my body.

We can’t allowourfather to threaten Tyson’s life in exchange for his own.

Over his dead body,hisnot mine, will I let that happen.

“There was no other way, Malory. We couldn’t have gotten in unannounced, not with so many of them here.” Rafe tries reassuring me, but it’s pointless.

I’ve learned what my father is capable of.

The fact remains that he keeps underestimating me. He doesn’t know the person I’ve become.Not yet.

That’s the one thing that’ll be his undoing.

“I have an idea.”

In one ruthless go, the cheap wooden door gives way immediately when Raffaele kicks it in.

Here we go.

The room is stale with barely any furniture. Just a desk and two chairs sitting in the middle of four bare walls with chipping paint and water damage.

A disgustingly picturesque place for questioning someone. Completed with concrete floors that would make for an easy clean up.

There’s a beat of silence before my brother waltzes in, shooting the last remaining bodyguard before he can blink.

That went well enough.

Peeking from behind Rafe’s back,I see him.

His strong body slumped on a chair, dried blood from his split temple and busted lip covers his face. Yet the only thing I can focus on is his rising chest.

He’s breathing.

He’s alive.

Someone has bandaged up his shot wound. However there’s already blood seeping through the gauze, only meant to keep him alive long enough for them to torture.

“I must admit John, I didn’t think you had it in you.” Rafe turns to our father who stands frozen in the middle of the room. His face ashen, drained of blood.

I’d never guess from the look of them that he and my brother are related. The harsh difference between the men staggering.

In the end, he’s nothing more than a sperm donor to the two of us. Three including Dante.

Upon hearing his brothers voice, Tyson’s head lifts slowly. His burning dark gaze clashing with mine that hasn’t left him since the moment we entered.

Black fire burns in the depths of his irises. I can barely contain the urge to throw myself at him, shield him with my body.

Not yet.

“Get her out!” Ty rasps, his voice raw yet still menacing.

Shaking my head, the movement barely visibly, I plead with my eyes for him to stay put.

---