Page 87 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

“I want in on the interrogation,” Lake states.

Get in line.

“We’re all going to want in on it,” Griff says.

“Lilith will probably want in on it,” Nolan says.

Truth.

“We’ll see you in a bit. I’m trusting that you know what you’re talking about. There’s at least four hospitals between where you are and where we are,” Con says to Lake.

“Trust me, I know what I’m looking at here. They’re both going to be okay once their body temperature goes back up.”

Ivy’s eyes flutter open for a second, and she mumbles my name before passing back out. I press a kiss to her forehead. I’m so thankful that she’s okay but so pissed that she had to go through this.

I look over at Griff who’s holding Claire a little tighter than might be appropriate for your best friend’s baby sister. Now’s definitely not the time to dig into it, but if there is something going on there, he better be careful. Con will tear him to shreds, especially with Griff’s predilections.

The four of us are all quiet on the way back. Each of us are lost in thought about this terrible day. Nolan and Lake start talking about cleaning up the traffic cam footage of the guys driving the van and running it through facial recognition.

“You don’t have to do that,” Claire mumbles with her eyes still closed. “I know who they work for.” She tries to sit up, but Griff tightens his hold on her.

“Stay where you are and tell us,” he commands.

“They’re from a rival family in St. Petersburg. My uncle Ivan did them dirty in a few business deals. They were going to ransom Lilith and me.” She smirks, “but they didn’t realize Lilith is a badass who can fight off three grown men on her own. They also didn’t realize they kidnapped an Olympic caliber swimmer.” She lifts her head and looks at me. “How is Ivy? She pulled me the last twenty minutes of our swim. If I hadn’t been holding her up, she probably wouldn’t have any trouble making it from the boat to the shore.”

“I think she’s generally okay, she’s got a bruise on her ribs and a bump on her head.”

“One of the guys hit her over the head with a rock or something in the alley when they jumped us.” She fights to sit up, glaring as Griff tightens his hold again. “How is Lilith?”

“She’s fine,” Griff answers quickly, “resting at the hospital we’re taking you two to. Close your eyes and sleep.”

He and I make eye contact, silently agreeing that it’s best to keep upsetting information to ourselves for now. I pull Ivy closer to me, comforted by the way she nuzzles into me. Now that I know she’s safe and will be okay, my mind wanders to Lilith.

All of this happened because of Con’s shitty fucking Russian family. I almost lost both the women I love because of it. Every minute that goes by fuels my anger. By the time we pull up to the emergency drop off of the hospital in the city, I’m vibrating with rage.

Parker, Isaac, and Dad meet us in the lobby. They all look sick with worry. Parker and Isaac are allowed to go back with Ivy since they are family, but I’m not. Dad pulls me aside and leads me to Lilith’s room.

Con is sitting in a chair right beside her, holding her hand and staring at her. Victor is standing by the window, hair a disheveled mess and tie loosened. As soon as he sees me, he takes off, probably looking for Claire. I drag a chair over on Hoodrat’s other side and sit, I don’t look at her though. I can’t handle seeing how pale and delicate she looks. A horrifying change since the photo of her in a wedding dress this morning.

Instead I glare at Connor. Every nasty look he’s ever given me I’m now mirroring back at him ten times over.

“If you’ve got something to say to me, just say it. I don’t need dirty looks right now,” he says emotionlessly.

“This is your family’s fault,” I accuse.

“Yeah, it is,” he agrees.

“You’re okay with this?” I sweep my hand over her. “You are not fucking dying inside right now?”

He looks up at me but doesn’t say anything.

“I almost lost the only two women I’ve ever loved today,” I reach over and grab the collar of his shirt forcing him to stand with me. We’ve never seriously fought before, but I am on another level right now. “They shouldn’t be paying for your dumbass corrupt family.”

He glares at me now, “You aren’t the only one who almost lost the women he loves today. My fucking sister was kidnapped, and I care about Ivy, too.” He grabs my wrist and squeezes. “Get your fucking hands off me, Levi, while you still can.”

“What the fuck is going on in here?” Griff says as he barges in, pulling us apart.

“Lilith isn’t marrying you until you take care of this shit,” I seethe.

---