Page 82 of Torched

That same SUV stops next to Imogen and Cristina, Cristina walking toward me with a questioning look before she finally turns around.

Imogen’s expression radiates panic when a bearded guy jumps out of the car, a gun aimed directly at her face. Her feet freeze, and she raises her hands, dropping the albums to the ground.

I pull out my gun, having every intention of shooting the motherfucker through the head, but keep my finger still when two more men get out of the car with automatic weapons.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Carrillo.” His smirk is slipping through his beard, though his eyes don’t waver from Imogen’s. “Let’s go, babe. We’re going for a ride.”

“NO!” I boom, taking a step forward. In reply, he cocks his head my way, the movement of his finger on the trigger registered in the corner of my eyes.

“I don’t hesitate,” he warns.

Imogen’s eyes find mine, her light blues pleading at me with fear while her chin is up in the air.

I shake my head. “Don’t you dare!”

“I’ll be fine.” She tries to give me a comforting look, but it only cuts me deeper.

“Let’s go,” the guy barks, yanking Imogen toward him before pushing her into the SUV.

My jaw ticks, my muscles frozen by the sight of the gun at Gen’s head until all doors are closed, and I let out a roar. My skin feels too tight for my body, and in anger, I start shooting the car as it speeds past and away. Bullets make small dents in the armored vehicle until my gun is empty.

“FUCK!” My voice booms through the empty street. “FUCK!”

I let my head fall back, staring at the sky while it feels like my heart just drove off in a bulletproof car. My chest feels completely hollow while at the same time the fragile bones have to carry the weight of an elephant.

For a while, I just stand there, in shock about what just happened. Then I feel a hand landing on my back.

“It’s okay, Liam. We’ll get her back.” At first, the words are soothing, then a small black Jeep stops in front of me and Jeremy steps out. His face is somewhat comforting, and I smile, but then my brain catches up, and I realize who just spoke to me.

I spin around, eyes wide, as I viciously grab Cristina by the neck and push her against a fence. “YOU!” I roar, loud enough to be heard three streets away, I’m sure. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Where are they taking her? Who is he? TELL ME!”

Cristina shrinks under my palm, and I have every intention of killing her right here, right now. Fuck Cristina. Fuck this diamond. Fuck Babushka. I just want my girl back.

Someone pulls me off of her, and she scatters away from me before Jeremy comes to stand between us.

“STOP!” he shouts, acting like a human shield for the both of us. Isn’t gonna help this time. This girl is dead. “What happened?”

“She saw you!” I blast, ignoring Jeremy. “You know him! Who is he?”

“I already told you I know him! His name is Dax!” Cristina yells back at me with a knowing look.

She did tell me that, but right now, I don’t see reason.

“What does he want?!”

“What do you think, Liam!? He wants the diamond!”

I just blink at her, my chest heaving.

“He wants the diamond, and he will probably use Gen to trade her for the diamond.”

What she says makes sense, but all I feel in my chest is hate for her and despair for Imogen. I need to get my girl back as fast as possible.

“Look,” Jeremy says with worry etched in his expression, “we will get her back, Liam. But right now, we need to get off the streets before we attract any more attention.”

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