Page 17 of Vexatious Queen

Lawrence’s lip curled, and all the memories that I’d thought were buried and locked away came rushing back.

I glanced out the window, knowing that Mylo was at work, but Vlad was home. I prayed he didn’t try to be a hero and storm in here. They lived one street over, but had video surveillance of the house and anyone who came in and out.

“Lawrence…I wish I could say this was a pleasant surprise,” I said, crossing my arms and pulling the knit sweater tighter around me like armor.

Lawrence smirked and rubbed his bottom lip with his thumb.

“Take him to the kitchen and kill him if he tries anything. I’ll deal with him once I’m done in here,” Lawrence ordered, and four men dragged Neil away.

He wandered the room, staring at our family photos. My stomach flipped when he picked up a picture of Ren and me. The cold look in his eyes made me shake all over, and I’d never been so thankful for her not to be here.

“How did you find me?”

Lawrence smiled like a cat proud of its kill as he moved closer. I held my ground, not giving him the satisfaction of backing down. He’d always been a bully, thriving on intimidation and fear. No matter what he did…I would never give him that.

“I’ve been searching for you for a very long time, Yuli, with no luck. So, imagine my surprise when I visit Colzan’s family picnic event, and there you are. Standing with a man that had worked for me for years and your stunning daughter. You were bathed in a warm summer’s glow, your hair down. You were wearing this modest sundress, but it did nothing to hide your perfect curves.”

Reaching out, he ran his fingers down my arm. Bile rose in my throat at the look in his eyes.

“You looked like an angel, and I took it as a sign that we were meant to be. I must say…you’re not an easy woman to track, but I put my best on it…me. I know everything about you and this quaint life you’ve made for yourself. How the mighty have fallen.”

Lawrence stepped in closer, and I turned my face away.

“I’ve been biding my time ever since. I’m a very patient man, Yuli, especially when it comes to you.”

He wrapped his hand around my throat and forced me to look at him. I couldn’t help closing my eyes as he sniffed the side of my neck and ran his nose along my cheek.

“My patience paid off, and here we are, and fuck you smell good,” Lawrence whispered in my ear.

“What do you want,” I asked, fearing that I already knew the answer.

“I want what should’ve been mine, but you were just too stubborn to see it,” he said, pulling back enough so that I could look him in the eyes.

Of everyone searching, I had never dreamed that it would be Lawrence who found me. But as I stared into the cold blue depths of his eyes, I realized that counting him out had been a grave error. He’d always been the biggest threat.

“We’re going to make a little deal.”

“No, I don’t think so,” I said, standing my ground.

“I think you’ll want to hear this and agree, or…”

He fished around in his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. My heart stopped completely as he held up the photo of Ren walking into Lizzy’s house.

“I’ll make sure she disappears tonight, and you’ll never see her again.”

My nostrils flared, the stench of his too-strong cologne choking off my air supply.

“I can see the defiance in you, Yuli, that fire…” he groaned. “I’ve missed it.”

“Leave my daughter alone. I’ll do whatever you want, just leave her,” I said, and he smiled.

“I thought you’d see things my way. But before we talk about specifics, you owe me.”

Lawrence pushed me back, and I landed hard on the couch. I knew what was coming, but the tears still stung as he peeled off his coat and tossed it aside. I jerked as he undid his belt, my lower lip trembling, but I held my head high.

I’d thought that I could run and keep my daughter safe, but that had been a fantasy.

One that would never come true until every single person who had played a role in trying to destroy me or kill my daughter had been buried six feet under.