Page 126 of Ruined By Protection
Elliott's eyes flit between us, calculating his options. "My office? What for?"
I jerk the barrel harder into him. "Did I fucking stutter?"
Noah maintains his hold on Elliott's arms as we march him through his own house. Two hours ago we slipped in through the service entrance, memorizing the layout while Elliott lounged in his living room, oblivious. Noah remained inside, watching from the shadows while I circled the perimeter, waiting for Hazel's arrival.
"Down the hall," I direct, though I already know exactly where we're going. "Last door on the right."
Elliott's breathing grows more labored with each step. Sweat beads on his forehead despite the air conditioning.
"Whatever you think you know about Melissa—" he starts.
"Shut up," Noah snaps, yanking back on his grip until Elliott winces.
Hazel follows behind, her face a mask of determination. The woman who arrived at the Feretti mansion broken and afraid is now gone. In her place stands someone renewed, someone who reclaimed her life and her soul.
I catch her eye and give her a slight nod. She returns it, confident and sure.
We reach the office door—solid mahogany with ornate carving. Typical display of wealth without taste.
"Open it," I order.
Elliott hesitates then reaches for the handle with shaking fingers. The door swings back to reveal a spacious room with huge sash windows overlooking manicured grounds. A massive desk dominates the center, flanked by leather chairs and bookcases filled with volumes I doubt he's ever even opened.
I shove Montgomery down into one of his leather club chairs, keeping my gun trained on him. His breathing is shallow, eyes still darting between me and Hazel.
"Let me make this clear," I say, a threatening hiss. "I don't actually need your cooperation. There are more interesting ways to make you talk."
I lean in, close enough to smell the sour fear on his breath. "Ways that involve a lot more pain and a lot less dignity than you're currently enjoying."
"Matteo." Hazel's voice cuts through the menace. Her eyes catch mine, a silent message passing between us. I note Elliott’s features contort into a knot of vehemence.
This was part of our plan—her stepping in, acting empathetic, giving him choices. Making him believe there's a way out if he cooperates.
"Elliott will talk without you making him suffer," she declares. She moves closer to him, close enough that he’s compelled to look up at her. The savagery painted across his features is unhinged. "You'll tell us where Melissa is, won't you, Elliott? For her mother's sake."
Montgomery's eyes slit as he ignores her and turns to me. The previous fear of me that he was unable to disguise is gone, only the loathing sneer remains. His lips twitch, then stretch into a smile.
And then he starts laughing.
Not nervous laughter. Not the hysteria of a man trying to buy time. Real laughter, deep and ironic, as if we just told the funniest joke he's ever heard. But as if he’s convinced the joke is on us.
CHAPTER 40
Hazel
Ican't understand why Elliott's laughing—a man with a gun to his head shouldn't be finding anything amusing. Unless he has suddenly lost his rational mind.
Then his laughter cuts off abruptly as he turns his face from Matteo back to me. His eyes gleam with a twisted satisfaction that makes my skin crawl.
"You know what's funny, Hazel?" Elliott purrs in his slimiest tone. "For months I thought I was going crazy."
I don't respond, keeping my expression neutral, refusing to engage with this madman.
"All those nights of wedded bliss," he continues, his lips snaking from fake smile to sneer. "You calling out for someone named 'Matteo' in your sleep. Moaning and thrashing on the bed like some cheap porn star."
My breath catches in my throat and heat rushes through my blood vessels. Matteo’s bulk goes stiff at Elliott’s side and for a moment he looks like he might end him.
"I thought he was just some fantasy you made up." Elliott's eyes flick between Matteo and me, triumph written across his features. "But here he is, in the flesh. The whole time I was trying to be a good husband you were dreaming aboutthismotherfucker."
