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“I’m sure. I need to know who’s after me and why,” she says quietly.

She’s strong. But I don’t know if she’s strong enough to see this.

Every time I look at her, I can’t stop thinking about today. Waking up in my wrecked truck and finding her gone. Her scream is imprinted into my brain. It was a risk shooting out the tire with her in the van. But I couldn’t take the chance they got away. Not with her.

Now, rage is fused with obsession. The desire I once had to let her walk away is twisted into something I barely recognize. I’ve never cared about protecting anyone other than my brothers, but suddenly, it’s instinct. A need.

Keep her safe. Always.

“Tell us who you are and who you work for,” Warren says calmly, adjusting the rolled cuffs on his shirt like he has all the time in the world.

“Fuck you.” The man spits. Blood trickles from his nose.

“We got a real wordsmith here.” River pockets the man’s cell phone, flips through his wallet. “Says his name is Dino.” He looks up. Smirks. “That’s a stupid fuckin’ name, Dino.”

“You don’t know what you’ve done.” Dino stares at Delilah. “Mr. Please had an entire year invested in you. Whether you took off or not, he always gets what he wants. And he wants to take you.”

One look at Delilah, and it’s damn obvious why any man would covet her. Glossy golden hair, lush lips, high cheekbones, and a body to obsess over. But it’s the word take that scares me shitless. Take.

A chilling smile curls his lips. “You’re the best one yet. Even if you are a dumb fucking whore.”

Delilah wraps her arms around her slender frame, her eyes glittering in the dust and light of the barn.

At my nod, River lowers the chain so that Dino’s feet touch the ground. I step forward and strike Dino hard in his already broken nose. The chain jerks and sways as he wheezes and gasps for air.

“Did that hurt?” I taunt. “Talk to her like that again, and I’ll cut out your fucking tongue.”

“You don’t threaten me.” Blood sprays from his mouth.

“I just did.” I shake my head, ready to quit the semantics and get to the point. “Who’s Mr. Please?”

“He’s a businessman who deals in pleasure. Pleasure for himself. Pleasure for others.”

“What does that mean?” Warren steps closer, brow furrowed.

There’s the sound of footsteps outside. My hand goes to the gun on my hip.

The door creaks open.

Ezra stands there. He gapes at the scene. “Christ. What is this?”

“Someone tried to kidnap Delilah. We’re getting answers.” Warren crosses his arms, unbothered by the scene unfolding. Ezra’s gaze goes to Delilah.

“This ain’t a fuckin’ family reunion,” River interjects, flashing a derisive look in Ezra’s direction. “Get your ass in here or go, Ez.”

Ezra hesitates. He could fight us on this, but he won’t. Because we’re brothers. He’s already in, and he knows it.

Then he sets his jaw and steps inside.

My molars slam together. Despite being smarter than all of us, the middle child in him can’t stand being left out.

“Back to Please.” I order. Dino sighs, his face twisted in pain and resignation at his present circumstances.

“He wants her.” He juts his chin at Delilah. “And the USB.”

Warren and I exchange looks. “What USB?”

“The USB I have.” Delilah steps into my frame. She’s biting her lip, guilt etched across her beautiful face. “Sammy gave it to me before he shot himself.”