A man I’d vaguely recognized had grabbed me right off the back deck as I’d watched Heath charge into the house after Tessa.
On instinct, I’d screamed his name. But only once, before I’d made the conscious decision that I’d rather not distract him from getting to her. I didn’t know what he would have done if he’d known we were both in trouble.
But I knew without a doubt what I’d wanted him to do—save our girl.
I’d fought against my attacker, but in the end, it had been a futile effort. He’d dragged me out the back gate and through the neighbor’s yard to a waiting car.
And then everything had gone dark.
I’d woken up in a small house I recognized as the one Walt used for his “business” deals. I’d spent many nights there when he’d get in his moods and I wasn’t allowed out of his sight at all. It was not a place you wanted to be with Walt. Men who went in there with him rarely left alive. I’d cleaned blood off those stone-tiled floors countless times—sometimes, even my own.
I’d also turned the address over to Tomlinson weeks earlier.
And it was only that knowledge that kept me from falling apart after I opened my eyes and saw Walt’s slimy gaze staring back at me.
“Sweetheart,” he purred, sauntering toward me.
I sucked in a sharp breath but showed no fear as I whispered, “You finally came for me.”
He rested a fist on the bed and leaned into my face, his breath slithering across my skin and his green eyes dancing with arrogance as he said, “Did you think for a single second that I wouldn’t?”
Chills prickled the hairs on the back of my neck. “No.” I shook my head and scooted across the bed. But I hoped for every second that you wouldn’t.
He prowled up on the bed after me. The flex of his muscular body under the confines of his dress shirt made my stomach churn.
He cornered me against the headboard, one hand on either side of me, and cooed, “Welcome home, my love.”
I squeezed my eyes tight as he pressed his disgusting lips to my forehead.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he said, approximately two seconds before the back of his hand landed against my face.
“I’ll be back,” I assured Tessa as I handed her over to Roman.
The truth was I didn’t actually know where the hell I was going, but even if all I had to use was my sixth sense, I was going to find Clare.
I looked to Roman and held his gaze in an unspoken plea for him to take care of her. He lifted his chin and shifted her on his hip so she could rest her worried head on his shoulder.
My chest ached and my legs were heavy as I forced myself to walk away, but it had to be done. That was my family, and I was getting it back. No matter the cost. No matter the consequence. That shit was going to end once and for all.
I didn’t give a damn how much the DEA wanted to get their claws in Noir. He had taken what was mine. Scared my little girl. Put his hands on my woman. Sent his men into my home. Fuck that.
Walter Noir would not end that day breathing.
My only prayer was that I got to Clare in time to ensure that she would.
“Hey, Light,” Roman called out behind me. “Thanks for having Elisabeth picked up.”
I froze in my tracks and slowly turned to face him. “Come again?”
“Alex told me you sent APD to take her into protective custody. Appreciate it. But I’m gonna swing by the station and pick her up. I’d feel better she’s with me right now.”
I blinked, my distracted mind trying to fit the pieces of the day’s puzzle together. But they were all corners and nothing made sense.
When I’d realized Clare was missing, I hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything else. However, after Noir’s attack on Elisabeth, I should have considered her safety as well.
But I absolutely hadn’t, and I sure as fuck hadn’t called the APD.
I took a long stride toward Roman. “I didn’t…” I started only to stop when the pieces clicked into place. I snatched my phone from my pocket and ordered, “Get Alex on the phone. Now!”
I dialed a different number.
He landed another hand on my face. “What did you tell the police?”
I kicked and bucked as I hid behind my arms. “Nothing! I swear.”
His assault stopped as he barked a laugh and then snatched me upright by my hair.
My hands flew to his wrists, taking some of my weight to relieve the paralyzing pain at my scalp.
His furious gaze burned into me as he brushed his nose with mine. “Do not fucking lie to me.” He gave my hair a hard snatch, wrenching my head to the side. “And what about Agent Light? I’ve heard you think he’s your new man.” He inhaled deeply and released it on a growl. “You are mine!”
With the slice of his arm, I went sailing backward off the bed.
I landed hard, which knocked the breath out of my lungs. I gasped for air as he got to his feet, and then, using my hair, he dragged me across the floor to the nightstand. My body went stiff and a sob tore from my throat as he retrieved a gun from the drawer.