Page 127 of Vows and Vendettas

“You’ll kill me.”

CHAPTER FOUR

CARA

Sweat litters my brow as Ronan stalks towards me, his tall frame wide and powerful.

“I begged them to tell you,” I confess, silently praying he will show me mercy. At first, I thought my scars would be the perfect fuck you to this man and his wayward boss. Now, it could cost me my life.

“Tell me and I might just go easy on you.” He grips my arm, bearing down on me with a lethal glint in his eyes.

“It happened years ago. It’s not a secret, but we don’t talk about—” My voice filters off into a nauseating whisper as he grips my throat forcefully.

“Tell. Me. Now.” His fist squeezes with each syllable.

“Scars,” I wheeze. “My…scars.”

“Where?” He seethes.

“Ronan.” I gurgle when his palm flexes, restricting me further. Slowly, he loosens his grip. “I wanted to tell you, but my father, he—”

Violent rage contorts his face into a sickening frown. “WHERE?” he bellows, shaking me to the core.

I choke out a terrified sniffle. “On my back.”

He spins me and rips the jacket from my body. I sink to the floor, my head dropping in resigned fear as I sob, humiliated by the ugly mess on my back. I wait for the click of a gun. For the flash of my life to pass me by, but all I hear is his shoes clicking away from me and the low rumble of his voice. I pull the jacket back over me, breathing harshly as my heart claps maddeningly in my chest.

“I just sent you an image. How long until you are here?” Oh god, Connor is coming.

Tears scald my skin, and terror sweeps through me, but I can’t move. I suck in shallow breaths and wait. Ronan doesn’t reappear, and when the main door clicks a little while later, I grip my hands in my lap.

Something lands on my shoulder, and I yelp. A young blonde woman apologises and holds her hands up. “I should have made myself known. I’m sorry.” She pulls my husband's jacket together at my front. “I’m Lola.” Her smile is sympathetic.

“I told them to tell him,” I repeat.

“I know. These men have minds of their own. Usually, they do the wrong thing before they do it right.” She rolls her eyes, and I nod. “Don’t tell Connor I said that.” Her eyes sweep over my shoulder, and I flinch as my husband and his boss stride towards me.

“Get dressed. You're returning home. Lola, help Miss Murphy into her dress.”

Miss Murphy?

“I’m going home?” I stutter, clutching at Ronan’s jacket. I can’t meet his eyes. He must be disgusted.

“Indeed, the sister and vicar are on their way.” Connor turns to Ronan, who looks as shocked as I am.

“No!” I splutter, trying to stand.

Slowly, Connor turns and pins me with a deadly glare.

“No?” He withdraws his weapon and points it until I’m kneeling on the floor.

“Connor, she’s in shock. We’re not all as unhinged as you,” Lola mutters, and I watch the head of the Brayford mafia soften before me.

“Blondie, the sooner you admit you love unhinged, the better. We could be having far more fun,” he drawls and returns his weapon, giving the woman a lazy, appreciative look. I’m wondering if Lola is the reason Connor removed Gabriela from his life.

“This is all the fun I need, thanks.” Scoffing, she helps me to stand, and I blink over her shoulder at Ronan. His dark eyes rake over me.

“A word, boss.”

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