Page 94 of Undeniable

“Let her go, George. Your issue is with me.” Connor’s deep voice was commanding.

The man—George—shook his head, placing his hand on my shoulder. “No way. Not after what you did,” he spat. “I told you I’d make you pay.”

My eyes snapped to Connor, and if I hadn’t been watching, I wouldn’t have seen him flinch. What the hell was George talking about?

“Besides—” George positioned himself behind me, pressing the gun to my temple “—you’re in no position to make demands.”

Connor straightened. His feet were planted on the floor, and he projected confidence and control. It gave me hope. This was what he trained for.

“If you harm her in any way…” Connor said, unable to check the emotion from his voice. “I will fucking kill you.”

I believed him. And his anger and conviction gave me the reassurance I needed. I drew strength from it.

“Nah. We were just about to have some fun.” George turned to me. “Weren’t we, sweetheart? Let’s see…” He dragged the barrel of the gun along my jawline, even as his eyes and mine remained on Connor. I tried not to shake, afraid that any movement would set off George or the gun. “How long…” He lingered on my lips, a metallic tang infiltrating my nose. “You can keep your cool this time.”

He was taunting Connor, testing him. When George slid the gun down my neck, over my collarbone and down to my breast, I closed my eyes briefly and inhaled a slow, deep breath. When I reopened them, Connor’s eyes were narrowed on George.

“Let her go,” Connor demanded, fists clenched. Rage poured out of him like a volcano ready to explode. “This is your last warning.”

George cackled, turning to face Connor. “Why would I do that? You took what was mine. It’s only right that I return the favor.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

This was my worst nightmare. Olivia’s hands were bound behind her, a lone tear streaming down her cheek. Her legs were bare and shaking, and I wanted to fold her into my arms and promise everything would be okay.

But at the moment, I wasn’t sure I could guarantee that. Not when George was pointing a gun at her head, a maniacal grin lighting his face. There was nothing more dangerous than a man who had nothing to lose. And George was now that man, thanks to me.

I edged closer ever so slowly, even when all I wanted to do was charge the bastard. But I wouldn’t. I had to wait. Keep my cool even when every instinct in my body screamed at me to do the opposite.

“You come any closer, and I will shoot.” He pressed the gun to Olivia’s temple, and another tear streaked down her cheek.

I wanted to look at her, try to reassure her again. But I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Off his gun. I wanted to kill the fucking bastard.

But since I couldn’t do that, I tried to get him to calm down. To back off. I just needed to wait for backup. From the moment Olivia had mentioned adding cashews to her breakfast bowl, I’d known something was wrong.

My clever girl.

I’d sprinted back to the house, my heart feeling as if it might burst from my chest. And when I’d spied George in the kitchen with Olivia, it had taken everything in me to stop from immediately crashing through the door. Instead, I’d sent an SOS text to Clay and the guys before stepping foot inside.

“Okay.” I held up my hands. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s good. Because we—” George glanced down at Olivia “—are about to put on one hell of a show.” He dragged his thumb over her mouth, and she shuddered. I was going to fucking explode, especially if he kept touching her like that.

“Mm. Nice lips,” he rasped. “I bet they’d look good wrapped around my cock. This will be even more fun than I thought.” He unbuttoned his pants with one hand, and I saw red.

Motherfucker.

This had gone on long enough. And there was no way in hell I was going to let anything happen to Olivia, Clay’s orders be damned. I didn’t care if I lost my job, so long as I didn’t lose her.

So when George cackled, reaching into his pants, and said, “It’s time you learn how a real man treats a woman,” I lost it.

I leaped for him, roaring. My training kicked in as I fought him for control of the gun. When the weapon fired, I didn’t flinch. I disarmed him with single-minded focus.

“Son of a bitch! You’re one sick bastard.” I shoved him into the floor, only to notice that Olivia was there as well, limbs sprawled out. Unmoving.

He wouldn’t get away with this. I wouldn’t let him hurt anyone else, and certainly not Olivia. I was tempted to beat him to a bloody pulp, but one glance at Olivia had my priorities shifting. The threat was neutralized—for now. I was more worried about her. She was too still.

Wyatt entered the kitchen, tactical gear on and gun in hand. “All clear.”

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