trusted me. He used me for all his computer work. I was fucking vital to him. And you just took him away, like that,” he added, with a snap of his fingers. “Now we’ll see how you like it. But don’t worry. I’ll let you watch when I kill your pretty little Elsa. And just so you know, I’m not bluffing.”
Icy terror slashed through Devlin. Had Manny already abducted Ellie? Was she somewhere in this building right now? Was Manny really intending to bring her here and kill her while Devlin watched?
No. Fucking. Way.
Devlin clung to those words letting them fuel his fury. No. Fucking. Way.
“Everything,” Manny continued, “Including your life. Everything you’ve built will tumble to the ground. You think your precious foundation will survive after they learn you killed her?”
“Her?”
“Your little bitch of a girlfriend, who else? It will look like a lover’s quarrel, and they’ll have all the DNA they need. Thank you for that in advance. And don’t worry too much about it hurting. We’ll be sure and get the skin scrapings and blood after you’re already dead.” He shrugged. “Or maybe not. Might as well make it fun.”
Manny chuckled. “And I almost forgot. After she’s gone, all those nasty texts you sent her will come to light. The ones where you talked about hurting her. Called her a little cunt who needed to watch herself or you’d make her pay.”
“I never—”
“Everyone will learn what kind of man you are. They’ll see that you killed her, not me. You killed her because you could.”
Across the room, Brandy sucked in a breath. Devlin didn’t dare look toward her. He kept his eyes on Manny. “You sick son-of-a-bitch.”
The words hung in the air as Devlin fought to keep his breathing steady. To stay calm and not let fury overtake him. He had to think. He couldn’t react out of passion, he had to be smart. He had to be careful and precise. Ellie’s life depended on it.
Bottom line, he had to get out of there. Ellie needed him.
But there wasn’t a thing he could do.
He was fucking trapped, and the wolves were circling.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Christopher?”
I stare at the man on the doorstep, fear spiking through me, because there is no way that this is a coincidence. “Where is she? Where are Devlin and Brandy?”
I step forward, not even sure what it is that I intend to do, but suddenly I’m pulled backward by a strong hand tugging at my T-shirt. In one quick move, Ronan shoves me behind him, and has the muzzle of a gun up underneath Christopher’s chin.
Christopher stands perfectly still, his chin tilted up, and I can see his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. His pulse beating against the taut skin. He says nothing, and considering the tension in Ronan, I think that’s for the best. Not that I care if Ronan blows him away, but I’m really not in the mood to clean blood off the front porch.
“One wrong move, and you are a dead man,” Ronan says. Slowly, he pulls the gun back, letting Christopher lower his chin. “Inside,” he orders, then kicks the door shut behind Christopher.
“Now talk,” I demand. “Where the hell are Devlin and Brandy?”
“I, I came here to help. I didn’t help take them. I didn’t have anything to do with it. I promise.”
“Why the hell should we believe you?” I ask. “You tried to run me down with an SUV, you son of a bitch.”
“I didn’t want to do that. Joseph he said I had to. Please, please you have to believe me. I went out of my way not to hit you. He wasn’t happy. He really wasn’t happy with me after that.”
I look at Ronan who meets my eyes, his as cold as ice. I have no idea what he’s thinking. As for me, all I’m thinking about is Devlin and Brandy.
“Do you know where Devlin and Brandy are being held?” The question is from Reggie, who’s moved to my side, her expression fierce. “Because otherwise, you’re no fucking use to us at all.”
I hold my breath, waiting for Christopher to answer, then jump when someone pounds on the door, and I hear Lamar’s voice. “Dammit, Ellie, let me in.”
I meet Ronan’s eyes, trying to read his thoughts, but his expression is entirely flat. I think that he must be damn good in an interrogation, then nod for him to open the door.
Lamar bursts in, then stops short when he sees Christopher. He looks from Christopher