Page 82 of Until the Day You're Mine

“I’ll give you everything Harley promised you. All I want in return is for you to stay tucked away, somewhere no one can find you. I need more time. When I’m ready to make an arrest, I’ll come get you myself.”

“What if Harris Kelly finds us first?”

Sullivan doesn’t answer and Ty must come to his own conclusions. Whatever happens, he’s ready. He’s prepared to die. Tomorrow, a week, a month from now – losing his life protecting Rian and Bran, making sure they are free of Harris Kelly is worth risking it all.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Rian, Ri, Ree-ahn

AUGUST 2022

Mr. Duncan tries not to overwhelm him with information on their ride to Rian’s home. The main thing they agree on is that Rian must leave his abusive husband as soon as possible.

“I am prepared to wait for you right here, Rian. Go inside, grab your child and walk back out. I swear to you I won’t let that man come anywhere near you.”

Rian bobs his head. He’s so excited at the prospect of finally being free that he rushes out of the car and into the house without looking back.

As soon as he enters the large hall, his stomach flips as he sees Lincoln waiting for him there. His cold predatory eyes devour Rian as he slowly prowls, smirking menacingly as if he already knows what Rian has been planning on doing. Lincoln is positively thrilled to be the one to foil his plans. The security guard visibly enjoys watching Ri’s courage to free himself crumble.

“Mr. Kelly wants to see you in his office.” He saunters closer and gives him a predatory look. “Get cleaned up,” he mutters, standing way too close for Rian’s liking, “Get. Dressed.”

Rian doesn’t look away as Lincoln is asserting his dominance by stepping further into his space. He is just as broad and powerfully built as Harris. He’s practically a younger version of his husband, only without the money and connections.

His honey-blond hair, heated hazel eyes, and his rugged features give him all the attributes one might describe as attractive. There is something about him, that makes Rian’s eyes linger on him every now and then. Wondering. Something familiar about the curve of his lips, his sarcastically arched brow, and the way his nose tips up ever so slightly. He can never put his finger on it – this resemblance, to an unknown acquaintance, bothers him.

Lincoln might be an impressive specimen of a man, but he’s otherwise a despicable human being. Rian has grown to loath him, especially as of late. Rian is sickened by Lincoln’s disrespectful and shameless attempts at seduction.

It finally dawns on Rian that this man is simply a puppet. He is a servant. Lincoln literally works forhim.

“Back off, Lincoln. You don’t wantMr. Kellyto find out you’ve been ogling his husband. I don’t see how coming onto me will get you far with him.”

Lincoln doesn’t seem fazed. He rolls his eyes and scoffs. “You’ll come around.” He backs away to the kitchen, saying over his shoulder, “Your kid ain't here. My guy Dirk has offered very kindly to accompany Margarita and Bran to the park, so you better behave. You don’t want poor Dirk to get distracted on the road, if let’s say you do something scandalous and get yourself on the news again.”

Rian stands there for a few seconds, horror washing over him.

Against all reason, he runs to Bran’s room, and it is perfectly made and perfectly empty. And so is the guest bedroom next to it.

* * *

Lincoln pullsout of the garage and drives off, slowly cruising by Mr. Duncan’s car and then giving him a mocking two-finger salute. That piece of shit is so drunk on the power he gets by association, just because he works for Harris Kelly, that he is happy to disrespect an ex-federal judge to his face.

The concerned look on Mr. Duncan’s face brings back a familiar heavy feeling of hopelessness. Will his new friend be disgusted with Rian for folding this quickly? Will he still be willing to help him once he finds out exactly how dangerous Harris Kelly is?

All these people want to help him – Stephanie, Mr. Duncan, Margarita – but what’s he doing to help himself? Sitting around, allowing the likes of Lincoln to walk all over him and threaten him and his child.

Rian is fucking done.

The ride to the office is quiet. Lincoln sneaks little evil gleeful looks in the rearview mirror, smirking every time Rian catches him. Whatever he wants from Rian, the answer isfuck no.

Rian is so over this circus.

He sits in the back seat feeling his resolve slipping away. He shouldn’t have been so naïve as to imagine he could simply leave.

His fear has been suffocating him for far too long, not allowing any space for rational thought or for his self-preservation instincts to truly kick in. The events from the past twenty-four hours feel like a general overwrite of his entire brain. He is fucking awake. He is furious.

Perhaps Harris knows this – his profound in-depth knowledge not just of Rian’s mentality but of the intricacies of human nature puts him a step ahead every single time. Their marriage is a game. It thrills him to play Rian like a puppet and meet no resistance because he’s the one writing all the rules.

Rian is done playing.

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