Page 78 of Dangerous Love

I gripped him tight. “I love you.”

“I’m gonna get you out of here. I promise,” he whispered in my ear, as he wrapped his arm around me and took another step away from the gangster. My throat constricted when I registered the angst in his tone. Riley meant every word, but judging from the quiver in his voice, he also had his doubts.

“All right,” Cooper snarled. “Reunion’s over. Time to talk business.”

Riley grabbed me by the waist and marched me back towards the small couch. He squeezed my hand once before letting go. My heart racing, I huddled against Nic.

“Today you’re going to pick your camp, and I fucking hope it’s on the right side,” Hal warned before he pulled a large box from a cabinet. The expensive black case showcased the Cooper crest imprinted on the leather. Slowly, Hal opened it, a sadistic sneer on his face. “I told you to get that ink sorted.”

Trey jumped to his feet, the colour leaving his body. “Oh fuck,” he said. But before I had time to process what that meant, Alexandro had a gun to Riley’s head.

CHAPTER38

Riley

It took a few seconds for my brain to register the change in Trey’s demeanour. First, in the way his mouth clenched, then in how quickly he sprang up, only to be shoved against the wall by Alexandro. My eyes studied the scene in slow motion, everything falling into place except the biggest piece of the puzzle.

What am I missing?“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I snapped at the enforcer as Trey struggled against the goon’s grip.

“Keeping your brother still while you and I do a little redecorating,” Hal answered, his thick hands fiddling with the black box in front of him, slowly, like it held his most precious keepsake.

“He’s your son, Dad. Fucking wake up.” Trey’s voice shook as he screamed through the room.

I tilted my head, my eyes meeting Sienna’s. Her lips wobbled as I took a step towards my father. “Riley,” she cried.

“It’s okay, baby girl,” I murmured, my gaze landing on the metal pieces lying on Hal’s desk.

One by one, Hal grabbed the stamps, inspecting them like expensive gems before lining them up in order of size. He pulled out a metal bar from the back of the box until it landed in his palm, smacking the iron hard against his flesh. “Don’t tell me these ain’t beautiful.”

“I’m supposed to admire your collection?” I shrugged. “Sure, they’re nice. Can your dickhead of an enforcer let my brother go now?”

The thug let out a sick laugh as he tightened his grip on Trey. “Not a chance.”

“Actually, let him go.” Hal cackled. “I’m sure Riley will be a willing participant once it’s his woman you’ve got against you.”

My stomach dropped, my head jerking towards the back of the room. “No one’s touching her,” I gritted between clenched teeth. “How many times do we need to have this conversation?” The firearm behind my back burnt my flesh like gunpowder begging to be lit. As my mind rehearsed my limited options, Hal grabbed me by the throat and dragged my ass on a chair next to him. “What the fuck?” I wrestled against the forearm crushing my windpipe, my elbow digging into his gut.

He puffed a deep breath, his free arm locked on my shoulder blade. Then, like they exchanged a secret sign, Alexandro dropped Trey to draw a gun. Right as he slid the barrel from its holster, he swung the hot end towards Sienna and pressed the muzzle to her temple.

“Oh god,” Sienna cried, as she cinched her eyes shut.

“Wait, wait,” I screamed. “I’ll do whatever you want. Don’t hurt her.” My throat clamped as I fought the terror choking me.What have I done?“Don’t hurt her. I’ll do anything.”

Hal’s arm loosened against my throat, and instead, he slapped the top of my collarbone with both palms. “Well, isn’t that much better, son?” He leaned forward until our eyes were level. “Now, do you want to tell your brother to behave before the pretty girl’s brains are scattered throughout my office?”

“Dad. Please. He’s your fucking blood.” Trey’s face aged a decade as he pleaded to our father. He ran his hands through his hair, his voice breaking as he crumpled against the wall. “Please…”

Hal sighed. “So I keep hearing. No harm in making sure he remembers that, right?” He kicked the metal bin by his desk until it landed in front of me. He grabbed the whiskey and took a swig before offering me some. “A little liquid courage?”

“Fuck off, Hal,” I spat, and turned my head away.

He tipped the grog into the metal can, twirling the bottle as it emptied, and the smell of alcohol filled the air. Then, he pulled a lighter out of his front pocket and ignited the spark as he brought it to his face and smirked. “Beautiful,” he whispered to himself before he flung it into the bin. Heat invaded the space within seconds as the waste basket erupted into flames.

What the…?

“Riley!” Sienna’s screams resonated through the room. She pushed against the enforcer, her small hands looking even tinier next to his.

“Oh, the dramatics. We should be celebrating, kids. This is a new beginning,” Hal sneered. He attached the biggest stamp to the metal pole and shoved it into the fire burning between us. And then it hit me.

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