Page 323 of Hell Hath No Fury
My fingers twitch, craving violence I can’t allow. “Youwon’tsee her without my permission. Do you hear me?”
“I heard you the first time and I’m still not scared of you.”
That’s bullshit. He’s fucking petrified. The only reason he has the balls to deny me is because he thinks Anissa will save him.
“I’m not giving up on her.” He shakes his head. “Not when you’re a danger to her safety.”
I see red, fury blinding my vision as I stalk forward, grasp a fistful of his shirt, and haul him to his feet. “It’s not my actions that are placing her in danger—it’s yours. She’s gone to great lengths to change sides. To earn the trust of my men and my family. Trust that she’s fucking proud of. But that doesn’t mean my enemies aren’t more than brutally aware she was a fucking Fed six months ago.”
He grabs my wrists, yet doesn’t fight the hold as he scrutinizes me.
“They’re waiting for her to regret her decision,” I grind through clenched teeth. “And you best believe every one of those fuckers is on standby to tell those I conduct business with at the first hint she’ll turn.”
“Those you conduct business with?”
I glare, wordlessly making him understand the type of people I’m referring to—the murderers. The monsters. The cartel. “Maintaining contact with you puts her in more danger. Hearing word from her ex-Fed of a father puts a fucking target on her back.”
He raises his chin as if humbled by the insight.
“I can keep her safe.” I jostle him. “But there’s only so much freedom I can give her when the past won’t stay where it needs to be, and that woman deserves freedom.”
He pulls away, backtracking a step.
Yeah, asshole. I’m not the bad guy this time.
“Is this seriously only about her safety?” He straightens his shirt, then his jacket lapels. “It’s got nothing to do with feeling threatened by me?”
Yes, I’m threatened, but I’d sooner hand over my balls in a wicker basket than make that known.
“I’ll tell you one last time, Easton.” I turn and start for the door. “If you get in the way of her safety again I won’t hesitate in killing you. I don’t care if she hates me for the rest of her life. I won’t let her die.” I shoot him a deadly look over my shoulder. “So keep your fucking mouth shut and stay away from her.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Cole
“Did you really leave her cuffed to your bed?” Hunter breaks the silence of the drive home as we pass the gates to my property and stop near the front door.
“What happens in my bedroom is none of your business.” I climb out of the car.
“You’re in a fucking mood. I thought you’d appreciate my concern for her welfare.”
I pause, surprised at his admission.
Nissa has won over my men better than I’d thought. Especially if Hunter is coming to her aid.
“You need to cut her some slack.” He leans over the passenger seat to hold my stare. “As much as we’ve accepted her, we’re not her people yet. Not entirely. How could we be when it’s only been a few months? She has to be fucking lonely.”
If that’s the case, I’m the one she should turn to.
Not fucking Easton.
“Tell Luca not to breathe a word of this to anyone. I’ll call you in the morning.” I slam the door shut and stalk inside, the scent of burning candles filling my lungs.
Fuck.
I left Anissa chained to my bed while the house was primed to go up in flames. A house now brittle with silence.
“Nissa?”
