Page 53 of Dangerous Love

Trey leaned back against his chair. “‘Cause it’s never the weeds you get rid of first, little brother. Just you watch. Hal fucking Cooper will be the last man standing when we’re all buried ten feet under.”

“Not if I can help it,” I snarled between clenched teeth.

“He had Fish drop off some fucked-up invite for a family meeting next Wednesday. Apparently, we’re both expected.”

I jerked my chin up, my eyes growing wide. “What the hell? What about?” I shook my head. “We made it clear we were out. What part of that didn’t he get?”

“The part where we insinuated he doesn’t call the shots. Though I won’t lie. I actually want to go. We’ll be ten steps ahead if we keep in the background.”

I bit hard, my jaw hurting from the pressure. “He sent Jarryd a threatening note. That’s what started Avery on his warpath. The guys are worried their families will be in danger if we don’t keep a lid on it.”

Trey’s face hardened. “They’re probably right,” he said. “But they weren’t born in our hell. They have the choice to get out. We don’t.”

Reality hit. Theydidhave the choice to avoid all of Hal’s bullshit and live normal lives. That was all I’d ever wanted for April and the kids. For Sienna. For all of the members of my new family. But as long as my father kept tabs on us, I didn’t know how to protect them.

When things looked up, they came crashing down just as quickly. I sighed, my brain growing sober as I visualised Sienna’s face when she’d uncovered the truth. “Did you know Hal almost had her raped in front of Avery?” A darkness took over as my worst nightmare materialised in my head. There was nothing worse than picturing Sienna getting hurt, especially in that way.

“What the actual fuck?” Trey spat. “She was always out of bounds. She still is.”

My voice trembled as I said, “I don’t know if I can protect her, Trey.”

He pressed a hand to my shoulder. “You can and you will. Don’t let him get into your head, Riley. You’re better than him.”

“You should have seen her face, Trey. She was broken. Like she’d been told I’d played her. Like she thought she never really mattered to me.”

Trey’s tone softened. “You love her, yeah?”

I nodded. “More than anything else.”

“Then you’ll work it out. We just need to keep focused on the shit we can control first.”

My gut throbbed as I accepted my brother’s wisdom. He was right. If only Hal could disappear for good, we’d all go back to our happy lives… Like I’d been charged with renewed energy, I let the adrenaline replace the fog in my brain. Slowly, my mind cleared until there was no universe where I lived in fear of my woman getting touched or hurt by anyone. I didn’t care what it took, or how long I’d have to beg Sienna for forgiveness. I’d put an end to Hal Cooper’s reign if that was the last thing I did.

“What’s the plan, brother?”

Trey smirked. “Now that’s the spirit.” He slapped me on the back. “We’ll pretend we got his message and infiltrate his mandatory gatherings until we know what he’s up to. It will keep him happy and your family safe.”

“And then?” Not that his plan wasn’t great, but I’d hope for something a little shorter termed.

“We wait for the perfect opportunity, and when it’s there, we’ll strike.”

Anxiety shook me. Or maybe it was the booze.Or maybe it’s your heart telling you how you fucked up.Already, my arms missed her. I missed hugging her against my chest, holding her so tight that it felt like I’d swallow her as part of me. Even listening to her whining about small things for half the day—I’d miss that too.

My Grumpy Bear.Pain sliced through me, cutting deep into every major organ until I seeped invisible blood out all my pores. My head spun. My heart squeezed my chest. Even my legs weighed me down like I’d bench-pressed a ton. Everything in me fucking hurt.

My eyes zeroed in on the memories of her sprawled beneath me, her body and mind loving me in every way imaginable. No one had ever made me feel the way this woman did. It was the way she could read me and reach the depths of my soul without trying. She just got me. Even when I’d tried so hard to push her away. “Trey, I’m just gonna make a quick call.”

My brother rolled his eyes, but to his credit, he didn’t comment. I shuffled to the back deck and settled on a concrete boulder before pulling my mobile phone out of my pocket. Throat tight, I dialled Sienna’s number. The ring tone screeched in my ears for the minute it took for the call to go to voicemail. I hung up and started again.

I need to hear her voice.I puffed when the call went straight to voicemail a second time. Pissed, I left a message. “Si, I just want to explain. Please take my call, or I’ll turn up at your door until I get to say what I need to. I love you.”

Answer me, please.Slow, deep breaths filled my lungs as I attempted to control the panic invading me like a virus. My fingers pressed the speed dial. Again. The chiming restarted, but this time, it didn’t go to the message bank. And my heart jumped to my throat, surprise stunning me when Sienna actually answered. “I thought I told you to leave me alone?” Her voice iced the handset in my palm. Her tone was sharp, and as she snapped, its edge left nothing to the imagination.

“I just want a chance to explain.”

She scoffed. “I’m not brain dead, Riley. I got it all on my own.Myawesome brother got you to bring me back—conveniently, right as he offered you extra gigs. Andyourawesome brother’s keeping you entertained while he’s got you back on your old stomping ground. End of summary.”

I sighed, forcing my tone to remain calm. There was so much I wanted to say, but blurting out that Trey and I wanted revenge on Hal for killing Seth wasn’t going to help my cause. “He just wanted to make sure you were safe, Si. That’s all.”

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