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CHAPTER7
Ryan
Iwatch her go, feeling unease swirl through my gut. She shouldn’t have to be this strong, yet she is. The urge to seek Charlotte out and end her life is overwhelming. It would be so easy to bring this to an end that way, but the fallout would be colossal. Despite her shitty behaviour, there are still many in the Firm loyal to her and Anthony. I don’t understand why, but while they garner that support, everyone has to move carefully.
I glance in the direction of the bedrooms before I push to my feet and check the property is secure again. The front door is locked, the balcony door too, though I doubt anyone could enter through that, considering how many storeys up we are.
Returning to the sofa, I turn the television on low, just for some background noise, not so loud I can’t hear Lia if she needs me.
She doesn’t come out, so I assume she’s crawled into bed. Considering the night she’s had, I wouldn’t blame her for that.
It’s about quarter to midnight when I’m debating sleeping myself. I’ll stay on the sofa, even though there’s a bedroom down the hall. I want to be between her and the front door.
I want to be the protector who keeps her safe.
My phone vibrates on the coffee table.
I pick it up, seeing Zeke’s name on the screen. Instantly, I swipe my finger across the screen to answer it.
Zeke wastes no time with pleasantries. “How is she?”
“Scared,” I admit. “But she’s holding it together.”
“She’s right to be. Charlotte is going to try everything to get Aurelia back. She’ll have people looking for her.”
“What’s the long-term plan here, Zeke? She can’t just hide away for the rest of her life.”
“Right now, we don’t have one. Charlotte and Anthony are dicks, but they have a long reach. It’s not going to be easy to keep Aurelia out of their grip.”
The injustice of it pisses me off. She’s not a pawn in their game. She’s a human being, with hopes and dreams of her own. I hate them for making her feel like less than she is. I hate them for making her think the only thing she’s good for is marrying and being someone’s wife.
“I’ll do whatever you need me to.”
“I know. There’s no one I trust more with my sister than you.”
Guilt clutches me. He shouldn’t. My thoughts relating to his sister are not wholesome. When I look at her, I see someone I want to protect, cherish and love.
I shouldn’t have those thoughts, but I can’t stop them either. They are embedded inside me. I care about her, more than I should.
“I’ll protect her with my life,” I say honestly.
“Keep me updated.”
He hangs up and I slide my phone back onto the table. Rubbing a hand over my face, I feel exhausted and ready to sleep.
I’m about to kick my boots off when I hear a noise.
I freeze, my ears pricking in the direction I think it came from.
For a moment all I can hear is the buzzing of the fridge freezer. Then I hear it again. A moan.
I’m up and rushing through the apartment towards Lia’s bedroom. I pull my gun from the holster under my arm, ready for whatever danger is lurking.
As I get closer, she screams. It’s a blood curdling shriek that makes my heart stutter. The fine hairs on my arm stand to attention, making my skin prickle.
Has someone managed to get inside the apartment?
How?
