He sighed. “Please work with me on this. I don’t want you to hate me forever. I refuse to accept that. If Lizzie becomes your daughter someday, then she’s my niece. I want to know her. I want you to know my kids.”

  “Why are you forcing this?” I demanded. “You were fine not being my friend before. Why is this so important to you now? Are you low on friends or something?”

  “No,” he said immediately. “I have too many friends and too little time. What I want is my brother, my family. I want you to be my friend. I want you to forgive me. Come on, please.”

  “Look, I’m not doing this to hurt you,” I said. “Honestly.”

  “Then why are you?” he demanded.

  “I just…there’s too much resentment there.”

  “I’ve been working hard to get you to like me, to trust me. What about all of that?”

  I rubbed the back of my neck. “Some wounds run too deep.”

  “No, they don’t,” he snapped. “We’re brothers. And we’re going to be brothers whether you like it or not!”

  He was struggling to control his anger. I noticed it was becoming more difficult for him the longer we argued. “I need to get the girls home.”

  “Can we get a beer or something later?”

  “Theo…just give me some space, okay?”

  He sighed in defeat. “Fine…whatever.”

  I gave him a sympathetic look before I walked to the car and got inside.

  Rome’s gaze penetrated my skin and made me burn.

  “Rome, not now.” I silenced her before she began. And I didn’t want to argue in front of Lizzie.

  She looked out the window.

  I waited for the traffic to clear before I pulled onto the road. Theo walked down the sidewalk, finally. Just when I was about to pull onto the street, there was a loud crash.

  The sound of breaking glass came into my ears and Lizzie screamed.

  Then Rome screamed. “STOP!”

  I looked over my shoulder and saw two large hands snatch Lizzie and pulled her out of the broken window.

  Fuck.

  “NO!” Rome threw her safety belt off then threw the door open.

  Without bothering to turn of the car, I got out then jumped over the hood. Bryan was running away with Lizzie over his shoulder. She was screaming for Rome.

  “Stay here.” I sprinted after him, moving as fast as I could.

  Rome didn’t listen to me and followed close behind me.

  Bryan had a head start so my odds weren’t good. But I wouldn’t give up. I had to get her back. She wasn’t just Rome’s daughter to me. I cared a lot about her. I had to keep her safe. And then I had to kill him.

  “LIZZIE!” Rome screamed from behind me.

  I pushed passed people as I ran down the sidewalk. I was practically flying and my feet had never carried me so quickly. I was gaining speed and my muscles were aching.

  Then I saw a guy join the chase. He was coming from the other direction. His brown hair was identical to mine, and I recognized his build.

  It was Theo.

  Theo chased him then slammed into him.

  Hallelujah.

  Bryan staggered sideways toward the road. He was standing in the bike lane, keeping a hold on Lizzie.

  “Give her to me!” Theo stood in front of Bryan with his arms outstretched. “You got nowhere to go!”

  I finally caught up to the scene and immediately wanted to rush him. But I realized I couldn’t.

  Traffic was flying by right next to him, and he was holding Lizzie out like he might throw her into the oncoming cars.

  This was a nightmare.

  “You only got a few options,” Theo said. “You can give her to me and make a run for it. Or you can throw her into traffic and then I’ll kill you. I suggest you go with the first option.”

  “Walk away and I’ll spare her,” he said.

  “No.” I said it without hesitation. I’m not leaving Lizzie. That wasn’t an option for me.

  Rome reached us then she broke down in tears. “Oh my god…” She launched herself at Bryan but I held her back.

  “Rome, stay back. I’ll get Lizzie. Call the cops.”

  She hyperventilated and she searched for her phone in her pocket with shaky hands.

  Bryan held her out to traffic, threatening us.

  “Would you really do that to your own daughter?” I asked in a disgusted voice.

  “Leave,” he said. “Leave Rome here with me and walk away. Don’t call the cops and I won’t hurt her.”

  I hated myself for dropping my guard. He purposely gave me a false sense of security so I wouldn’t suspect this plan. He had me by the balls.

  “Okay,” Rome said immediately. “Thomas, go.”

  “No,” Theo said. “We aren’t giving into him.”

  “No!” Rome was hysterical. “Just go, Thomas. Please.”

  I didn’t know what to do. Either way, I lost. I was panicking. I couldn’t lose Rome and Lizzie. Bryan would take them away and I might not be able to find them again. He could kill them and I wouldn’t be able to stop it. I couldn’t let that happen.

  But I didn’t know what to do.

  Theo didn’t either, judging his silence. He looked to me, hoping for direction.

  “I’m going to give you ten seconds,” Bryan said. “Or I’m throwing her.”

  God fucking dammit.

  “Thomas, go,” Rome pleaded. “Please just go.” She grabbed Theo’s arm and yanked him away. “LEAVE!”

  I had five seconds to make a decision. If this guy were crazy enough to hit his wife, then he probably wouldn’t hesitate to throw Lizzie. And whether his threat was idle or not, it didn’t matter. I couldn’t risk it.

  So, I had to do something—and quickly.

  “You got three seconds,” Bryan said. “And I’ll throw her.”

  “Thomas, go!” Rome was yanking on my arm.

  Before I could do anything, Theo launched himself at Bryan.

  Everything happened in slow motion.

  Bryan was caught off guard by the attack, and his arms immediately swung outward, attempting to throw Lizzie.

  Theo jumped on him and tried to rip Lizzie out of his grasp. They fought over her, and Theo threw his body into Bryan, pushing him back while he pulled Lizzie from his grasp. He got her free.

  I snapped out of my shock and ran to Theo. I got Lizzie out of his arms, trying to get her out of harm’s way.

  Bryan punched Theo in the face, making his head snap back.

  Theo staggered then returned the hit.

  They were locked in a fight, trying to strangle each other.

  Theo got out of his grasp then stepped back. “Call the cops.”

  Bryan tried to grab him again but Theo pulled out of the way. Bryan staggered forward, and his feet slipped on the wet pavement. Then he started to fall backwards, right into the lane.

  “Shit.” Theo turned back and tried to grab him before he fell.

  But it was too late.

  He landed in the road, and a large delivery truck passed, trampling him.

  I pulled Lizzie’s face into my neck so she wouldn’t see. Her father may be a horrible man but she shouldn’t have to watch him die in such a tragic way. I froze, unable to process everything that just happened. I held Lizzie close to me, breathing hard.

  Theo ran into the road when the traffic had passed. He leaned over Bryan and checked him. The sight was disturbing. Bones were broken and blood was splattered on the pavement.

  Rome cried and covered her face.

  Theo stood up then looked at me. He shook his head in response to the question I never asked.

  Bryan was dead.

  Rome pulled Lizzie out of my arms and walked away with her, sobbing as she held her daughter. “You’re safe now, honey. It’s okay. Mommy will never let anything happen to you again.” She walked away from the scene, shielding Lizzie from the sight.

  Theo walked toward me, looking hollow and empty. “I tried to grab him…”

  “I know you did.”

  “I…I didn’t mean to kill him.”

  “You didn’t,” I said. “He fell. The cameras will show that.”

  He nodded and looked at the ground.

  Gratitude welled up inside me as I looked at Theo. “You saved her.”

  “I wasn’t thinking…I just acted.”

  “Yeah…and you saved Lizzie.” My heart bled from the appreciation.

  “The kid shouldn’t have had to deal with that.”

  “She’ll be okay,” I said. “She’ll be okay.”

  He put his hands on his hips while he stared at the ground, in shock.

  “Thank you so much.” Feelings I couldn’t process washed through me. “I don’t know what to say…he could have thrown you into traffic.”

  “I had to try,” he whispered.

  I saw Theo in a new light. He took a risk for someone I cared about and he didn’t have to. If he weren’t there, Bryan would have gotten away and I would have lost both of my girls. I pulled him into a hug and held him tightly. “Thank you, brother.”

  He stilled at the words then pulled away. He looked at me with a slight moment of joy. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah,” I said with a nod.

  “You forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive.” I squeezed his shoulder.

  He gave me a slight smile and released the breath he was holding. A tragic moment had brought us closer together, and there was no doubt that Theo was a different man than I used to know. He was selfless, loyal, and protective. It was like all those years had never happened. Now I looked at Theo with fondness. “I’m forever in your debt for what you did for me.”

  He shook his head. “No, now we’re even.”

  I extended my hand. “New beginning?”

  He took it and nodded. “New beginning.”

  Chapter Seven

  Sean

  I’d been stressed every single day since that terrible night. It consumed my thoughts at all times. I wondered what vendetta these men had against me. Was it money? Was it personal?

  What?

  I hired security to watch my property during the night. They hid in the trees and were dropped off so their cars wouldn’t be seen. They were armed and ready.

  But the men never returned.

  Not knowing when or if they would strike was driving me up the wall. The paranoia was getting to me. I was constantly looking over my shoulder, searching for things that weren’t even there.

  I checked on Scarlet all the time, and had an extra guy watch the property during the day. Scarlet didn’t like that, saying it was unnecessary, but I didn’t let her get her way.

  Not this time.

  I was sitting in my office, trying to recall the voice I heard. With the passing of time, the voice faded. It was more difficult to recall it, and impossible to recognize it. It was killing me. If I could just remember it I could solve this mystery.

  Mike knocked then came into my office. “How’s it going?”

  His voice shattered my thoughts. “Fine. How’s the arm?”

  He flexed it then winked at me. “Good as new.”

  “Glad to hear it,” I said sadly.

  He sat in the chair facing my desk. “Still can’t remember?”

  I shook my head.

  “At least nothing has happened since. When you chased after them, they probably realized they blew any chance they had of getting at you. Now you know they’re coming. It would be suicide to do something now.”

  “I wish I killed them,” I said without guilt. “Then this would be over.”

  “Me too.”

  I drummed my fingers on the table.

  “Scarlet is doing okay?”

  “She refuses to leave. But she promised to hide in the bullet proof attic that connects to our room if something happens.”

  “I knew Scarlet wouldn’t budge,” he said with a teasing tone.

  “I understand why she won’t leave me,” I said with a sigh. “And as selfish as it sounds, I’m relieved she hasn’t. I couldn’t imagine coming home every night to an empty house. Living in different places would be unbearable. I need her in order to stay sane.”

  “It sounds like these guys have beef with you, not her. I doubt they would hurt her.”

  “We have no idea what they are capable of,” I said bitterly. “But the attic locks from the inside and you wouldn’t know it was there unless someone pointed it out. She’ll be safe in there until…it blows over.”

  He nodded. “Cassandra wouldn’t leave me either.”

  “I just want this to end. The constant waiting and dreading is worse than the actual event.”

  “Yeah, I get that.”

  I rubbed my temple and sighed.

  “Do your kids know?”

  “No. I’ll never tell them.”

  “Do you think they’ll go through them?” he asked quietly.

  “They would have done it already if that were the case,” I said. “I think they’re fine. Besides, Skye’s penthouse is impossible to get to unless she lets them in. She’ll be safe. And Roland is safe too. Having them away from me is the best thing for them.”

  “Yeah, true,” he agreed.

  I leaned back in my chair. “I got guards on the property, a security system, and enough ammo to start a war. Now I just have to wait…”

  “I’m here for you,” he said.

  “Enough about me,” I said. “What’s new with you?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve been getting a lot of sex from Cassandra.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Now that my arm is better she’s not scared I’m going to die at any moment.” He chuckled. “And she’s been more charged than usual.”

  “Good to know,” I said sarcastically.

  “Hey, you asked,” he said with a laugh.

  I waved him away. “Get out of my office. I need to get to work.”

  “Calling your wife isn’t work. But whatever.” He walked out.

  Just like he predicted, I called Scarlet for the tenth time that day.

  ***

  When the day finally ended, I was the last one to leave. I took the elevator down to the lobby then headed to the garage. My phone was in my hand and I was texting Scarlet to tell her I was on my way home.

  Most of the cars were gone, and my sleek Ferrari was parked in its designated spot. I kept walking with my bag over my shoulder. But when I heard the shuffling of feet, I disregarded my message and looked up.

  There was something black near the rear wheel of my car. It looked like a shoe. It was barely distinguishable, and perhaps I was being paranoid, but I saw something.

  With my heart in my throat, I stopped walking. I was certain there was a man crouching there, waiting for me. I wasn’t armed, and he knew I was coming. Everyone had left the office and I was totally alone. When I looked at the reception on my phone, I realized I didn’t have any in the garage.

  Fuck.

  As casually as I could, I stepped back and walked backwards, keeping an eye on the foot of my car. When I got to the entrance, I jumped to the brick wall then pressed the button on my watch three times, knowing back up would be there in two minutes or less.

  I breathed hard and tried not to freak out. I was definitely being tailed. They couldn’t get to me at my house and they couldn’t get to me at work, so this was the only option.

  I leaned over and peered into the garage, trying to see the guy.

  He stood up and aimed a shot at me.

  I quickly dodged behind the thick brick wall, avoiding the hit. The sound of the gunshot was deafening and it echoed in my ears. It was so loud it almost broke my eardrums. I ducked down and ran along the wall, knowing there was a good possibility he would chase me. I found a wheel bearing on the ground and snatched it as a weapon, not that it would do much good against a gun.

  Just then, my private elite guard pulled into the area where I set off the alarm. Covered in bulletproof vests and guns, they moved into the garage. I listened for the sound of gunshots but didn’t hear any.

  “Mr. Preston, are you okay?” One guard came to me.

  “He was near my car,” I said. “He took a shot at me.”

  “They’re looking now, sir. Do you need assistance?”

  “I’m okay,” I said.

  “I’m going to wait with you here.”

  I nodded and felt a little better.

  Minutes later the chief spoke to me. “He’s gone. But we found the barrel from his bullet.”

  “Can you identify him from that?” I asked.

  “We can try. But don’t put much hope into it.”

  I sighed in defeat.

  He gripped my shoulder. “You can walk to your car now, sir. It’s safe.”

  “Are there cameras in the garage?”

  “No, unfortunately.”

  I rubbed my temple in irritation. Now I would always carry a gun with me. I had the advantage and I could have taken him out when I had the chance. But I didn’t. “Thank you for your service.”

  “Of course, sir. You know you can call us at anytime.”

  Because I paid them a fortune. “Good bye.”

  ***

  On the way home, the sweat broke out on my forehead. I was scared, and not of dying. I was scared of being hunted down like this. I wanted to know who was after me and why. What did they want? Why was this personal? What had I ever done to anyone?

  I was at least grateful they weren’t after my wife. At least they only wanted me and not my family. That would be far worse. I tried to focus on that when I walked inside my house.

  Scarlet had dinner on the table like usual. “Hello, dear.” She came out to me wearing an apron. But she stopped before she touched me, seeing the fear on my face. She immediately knew something was wrong. “What happened?”

  I was always brave in front of everyone, but my wife was the one person I could admit weakness to without repercussion. She knew I would always take care of her, but she also understood I was human. With a heavy heart, I told her everything that happened.

  She took a deep breath but didn’t freak out or cry. Like always, she was calm and not emotional. Scarlet had the rare ability to be logical even in the most extreme circumstances. After she processed my words, she wrapped her arms around me and held me close. She squeezed me, making me feel loved and warm.

 

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