I snapped my eyes open—at least part of my wish had come true. I hadn’t even heard Connor come in. He was stoic, detached. Eerily calm.
The plastic dug into my wrists, and I tried to wriggle my hand through the tight opening while remaining as still as possible.
“Let her go. Your issue is with me.” Connor’s deep voice was commanding.
George shook his head, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Why would I do that?” he spat. “You took my wife, my daughter. My father disowned me.”
Suddenly, it all made sense. This must be the ambassador’s son. But what did he mean about taking his family?
My head snapped to Connor. His feet were planted on the floor, rage pouring out of him like a volcano ready to explode. But he projected confidence and control, and it gave me hope. This was what he was trained for.
“Now that the guest of honor has arrived, we can have some fun.” George turned to me. “Let’s see…” He dragged the barrel of the gun along my jawline. I tried not to shake, afraid that any movement would set him or the gun off. “How long…” He lingered on my lips, the metallic smell infiltrating my nose. “You can keep your cool.”
He was taunting Connor, testing him. When he 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, rage rolling off him despite his calm demeanor.
“Let her go. This is your last warning.”
George cackled, turning to face Connor. “You’re weak. You attacked me last time, but you didn’t have the guts to finish what you’d started. You’re a coward. And you took what was mine. So, it’s only right that I return the favor.”
Pain and regret flashed in Connor’s eyes. My stomach hardened, a wave of nausea hitting me. It was so fierce, it made it difficult to breathe. I refused to stand by and watch someone insult the man I loved. But what could I do? Maybe if George believed I meant nothing to Connor, he’d drop this.
I bolted upright. “I’m nothing to Connor. I’m…”
“Shut up! I wasn’t talking to you!”
I never saw it coming. His hand collided with my jaw, and I fell back onto the stool as tears stung my eyes. I was so shocked, I couldn’t even react. And even if I could’ve, my hands were tied behind my back. My cheek burned from the impact, but it was the shock radiating through me that was most jarring. He’d hit me. He’d actually hit me.
Connor edged closer ever so slowly, and I held my breath.
“That slap was nothing,” George said. “You come any closer, and I will shoot.” He pressed the gun to my temple, and a tear streaked down my cheek.
“Okay.” Connor held up his hands. “I’m not going anywhere.”
George glanced down at me. “Mm. Nice lips. 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, using the other to jab the gun to my breast.
My stomach churned, and I tried to remind myself that Connor would never allow that to happen. But he wasn’t the one holding the gun or calling the shots at this point.
George cackled, reaching into his pants as I looked away with tears in my eyes. “It’s time you learn how a real man treats a woman.”
Out of the corner of my eye, there was a flash of color. A roar. My stool fell back in the process, sending me tumbling to the floor. There was a gunshot. The taste of blood. And then darkness.
Chapter Sixteen
Connor
Motherfucker.
I pummeled him, using my fists to exact my punishment. “Son of a bitch! You’re one sick bastard.”
He wouldn’t get away with this. I wouldn’t let him hurt anyone else and certainly not Olivia. He struggled, holding up his hands to protect his face, as I continued my unrelenting assault. And then someone was grabbing my arms, pulling me off him.
“Connor. Stop.” Mark’s voice was commanding.
I hovered over George, panting as I gripped his shirt in one hand. Fist poised to punch him again. My need for vengeance was in control, overriding reason.
“All clear.” Liam entered the kitchen, tactical gear on and gun in hand.
Jackson was behind him, and I wondered how many more were outside. I’d called Mark as soon as I’d heard from George. The guys at Cole had immediately flown into action, gathering a team before heading to Olivia’s house.
