Page 125 of Save Her from Me

I didn’t know why I was surprised.

Though I’d tried to block out all knowledge of my father, the years I’d spent under his roof were crystal clear in my mind.

The phone calls where he’d threatened and manipulated people to bend them to his will. The meetings in our great room where he’d make deals with scary men, undercutting rivals and casually sabotaging their businesses, bragging about it to my brothers.

There was nothing redeemable about that man.

There was no way I’d let Raphael go back to him.

But that meant I’d have to, and Jackson as well.

Not happening.

Slyly, I gauged the distance between me and Larson, trying to work out if I could spring from my seat and knock him away from Jackson. Between me and Raphael, surely we could overpower him. Then there was a whole host of people outside who could help.

Larson tilted his head. “Don’t bother. There’s no way you can beat him, no matter what you’re considering doing to me. Let me lay this out for you. Mr West knows where you live. He had an idea after you ran from him but didn’t bother actively pursuing you until now when it was worth his while. You and your brother are old enough to be of value to him, specifically with Raphael flying. He let you have your teenage years in peace, which he considers a gift, but that time is over. I’ve passed on your location. If I go silent, he’ll send worse men than me. All those folks outside will be in the way. He wants you back, and he’ll have you. So make your choice.”

The image he painted hit me like a truck.

Dad’s mobster friends coming here. Hurting people. Destroying the place I loved.

From his comment about Gabe becoming a father, I wondered if he knew about that, too, or if it had been a guess.

Pure hatred chased away my fear. How fucking dare he?

Raphael stood. “Uncuff Jackson and I’ll go with ye.”

Larson considered him. “You’re agreeing to go back to your father?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

Jackson gave a growl of unhappiness behind his gag.

I shot to my feet, glaring at my brother. “No, you can’t.”

“What choice do we have?” His grey eyes beseeched mine. “The cops can do nothing about him, he’s paid too many off and he has powerful people in his pocket. You’re not going back to that life. It’s me Dad wants. He knows that I’m flying.”

“Listen to me,” I pleaded. “You’re not going to sacrifice yourself.”

My brother had been fifteen when we’d fled and had already seen too much of blood. Gabe had confessed he was shocked by how well Raphael knew his way around a gun. While I’d sat and listened, Raphael had been dragged into active involvement.

But he was no killer.

He might be a foot taller than me and a year older, but Raphael had none of my bite. He was warm-hearted. Loyal and caring. He’d learned to cook so we could eat well. He’d spotted a soul in need in Jackson and brought him home.

With resignation in every look, Raphael touched his gaze on his best friend. “Besides all that, we know what will happen if he gets hold of Jax. I care about him, I can’t let that happen.”

“I can’t either. I love him,” I said quickly.

Raphael’s eyes widened then crinkled at the edges. “In a very different way to me, I imagine. Fucking hell, Ariel.”

The sound came from beside us, and I snapped my gaze to find Jackson staring at us, hot emotion present in his eyes.

God, what a way for him to hear my feelings about him.

Larson heaved a sigh. “I don’t want to interrupt this love-in, but if I go back empty-handed, he’ll kill me. So you see, I have an incentive. Make your decision. I’ve been in this cold-assed country too long.”

I took a step forward, hands up. “What if there is another way?”

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