Broken by His Hand - Piper Stone Page 0,84

almost three years ago. Whether or not he was a member of the inner circle remains to be seen. However, I found some correspondence our father had with the man. Now, why the hell is he important? He’s dead.”

I shifted my gaze in his direction, still trying to control my breathing. “Because it seems his son is making up for lost time.”

“His son?”

As my phone rang, I jerked the wheel of Christopher’s car, heading onto the exit and racing down her street. “What did you find?” I heard the tension in my voice as I addressed Marko’s call.

“I’m sorry, boss. She’s gone.”

“What the fuck do you mean gone?”

Marko was exasperated as he answered. “Whoever it was got in through a window in one of the downstairs rooms. There are flowers here. Dead ones. And an obvious sign of a struggle.”

“Move. Now! The asshole can’t have gone too far.” I tossed the phone onto the dashboard as I pressed down on the accelerator.

“What the hell is going on?” Christopher demanded.

“Sophia has been taken. And we will find her.” Blood rushed to my head, my rage so intense. The asshole would be hunted down.

And I would kill him with my bare hands.

During the next few minutes, all I could think about was her face, the way she smiled. Even her laugh penetrated my eardrums, becoming louder than the rapid beating of my heart. I was sick inside to think that her capture was likely because of my world. My life.

My legacy.

Snarling, I slapped my hand on the steering wheel, attempting to figure out where the asshole would take her. I’d allowed him to become a member of our club. I’d even spoken with him on two occasions. Everything was starting to make sense.

The jerkoff wanted what had been given to his father.

The inner circle.

Immunity from transgressions.

Safety behind the cloak of the club.

All bullshit.

“What the hell?” Christopher pointed as a vehicle sped into our lane.

Yanking the wheel, I shifted until I was able to gather a single look at the occupants. There was no doubt in my mind that Sophia was in the backseat. Slamming on the brakes, the car swerving to one side, I managed to turn the vehicle into the opposite direction.

“Jesus,” Christopher shouted.

“Be prepared to shoot, but only when we know we can get Sophia to safety.” With both hands on the wheel, I chased after the bastard, rushing around several cars as I kept my hand pressed down on the horn. I knew the area well and if the bastard had a chance to get to the interstate, it would almost be impossible to stop him from getting away. Shoving the gear into fifth, I slammed my foot on the accelerator, no longer able to see anything but the dark sedan now only three car lengths in front of me.

The jerk rounded a corner, the passenger side of his tires lifting from the pavement. The bastard was going to lose control. Fuck. Fuck!

As several of the vehicles in front turned off onto side streets, I gained on him. Within seconds, I managed to pull alongside. I had to be careful. The buildings flashed by as I swerved against the car, the hard thud enough to force the other vehicle into oncoming traffic.

“Look out, brother. Jesus fucking Christ!” Christopher bellowed. “Wait. Just wait. The river is up ahead.”

I knew exactly what he was saying.

Pop. Pop!

Gunfire erupted, taking out the passenger window of the car the jerk was driving. I pressed down on the brakes as the buildings gave way to trees, the Potomac River on the left side. It was now or never in an effort to rescue her. Holding my breath, I slammed the vehicle against his, once again pressing down on the accelerator and refusing to stop. As we both headed for the strip of land surrounding a shallow entrance to the river, I roared, my entire body shaking.

And I pressed the gas pedal to the floor.

There was no way for the driver to stop, the vehicle veering toward the river.

Slamming on the brakes, the car swerved, almost hitting a tree before I was able to bring it to a stop. I threw the gear into park, watching in slow motion as the sedan went airborne, slamming into the river. There was no hesitation, both Christopher and I jumping into the water as the car began to sink, forced to swim at least thirty feet.

“No. No!” I bellowed as I fought with the locked door. Inside, I could