Page 9 of Rayna's Daddy

Oh, thank God. Wait, done.

“Unless he decides to keep her.”

Keep me? Fuck that.

“Triple.”

Were they negotiating over me? Oh, heck no.

Mr. Santorini loosened his grip on the back of my neck. Big mistake. I took my opening, cocked my leg, and unloaded all my power into his kneecap.

“Ugh.” He stumbled back and grabbed his thigh. “You fucking bitch.”

Pain shot up my leg. Heat flushed through my body. I ignored it. I pushed off the column and turned, my heart rate pounded in my ears. I pulled my arm back and hurled my body forward with a primal scream. I punched him right between the eyes. The crack of his bones made my stomach turn.

He tumbled backwards, and I fell on top of him. I pushed myself away, but my vision blurred, and I fell back.

Hands gripped me around the waist, lifting me like I weighed nothing. I was too disoriented to care. The gentle way he handled me sparked a recent memory and made me feel safe. He hurled me up and settled me over his shoulder. I covered my mouth to keep from throwing up on his suit and fancy tennis shoes.

He turned, heading for the door.

I lifted my head. It felt like it weighed a ton.

“Hurry.” I yelled as Mr. Santorini struggled to stand back up. Blood gushed from his nose. I squirmed.

“Be still.” Kyler slapped my butt, hard.

“Ouch.” I whined and slapped his butt.

He skidded to a stop.

“I’m sorry.” Oh jeez. Don’t stop.

“Shhh Princess,” he whispered.

“Mr. Santorini.” A voice I didn’t recognize called. “I got em.”

I peeked around at Kyler’s side. The man I saw earlier pointed a gun at us. It was no less scary upside down. The gun waved, and I ducked behind Kyler’s back. My ass was still exposed, but I guessed better to get shot in the bottom than in the face.

I rubbed the spot he had smacked with his wooden hand and rethought my logic.

A gun cocked.

Kyler moved forward. I peeked around again. Another man, with dark hair and dark eyes, dressed in a gray suit with the same fancy tennis shoes, had a gun, too.

“Drop your weapon.” The other mystery man shouted to the guy holding a gun on us. It distracted him enough for Kyler to snatch the gun out of his hands. I was impressed. He had ninja skills for sure.

“Kyler.” I looked up at the sound of a voice. Mr. Santorini had made it to his feet. The bartender from the library stood in the archway, cleaning a glass with a towel. He made no attempt to help me. To be fair, he didn’t help Mr. Santorini, either.

Odd.

“You walk out that door and we go from friends to enemies.” Mr. Santorini’s voice was muffled. His threat came out slurred. “You want that?”

Kyler turned on his heels to face him.

“Whoa.” I gripped my head.

“Albert.” It sounded funny coming out of his mouth. “Bring it on.”

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