Tiger Mom (Killer Moms #4) - Eve Langlais Page 0,64

believe that Portia might not want him in her life. Still… “I’ll take that chance.” Because by killing Ronin, he’d be doing the world a favor, and keeping the people he cared about safe.

It might cost him his only chance at happiness, but he’d pay the price. He understood how Macey felt when she said that her life couldn’t compare to her daughter’s. In his case, his happiness seemed a paltry thing in comparison to theirs.

“You can’t go in guns blazing. We don’t want to accidentally shoot those we’re trying to save,” Marie warned.

“If you’re worried about friendly fire injuries, don’t. I never miss.”

“If you’re going to go off mission, then let me know now because my primary objective is getting Portia and the girls out safely.”

“Mine, too. Don’t worry.” Left unsaid was that once they were out of the line of fire, Ted was handling the Ronin situation, once and for all.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Portia had been released, but only because Ronin trusted that his threats would keep her in line. He was correct. She wouldn’t act unless she knew the girls would remain safe.

But it wasn’t easy biting her tongue. Especially when she saw the disappointment in Mae’s face. Then the guilt. Which wasn’t as bad as the sly expression. She knew that look, the one that said her kid was plotting. And that brain…who knew what Mae would think up.

However, she was only a child. She didn’t understand just how vile Ronin could be. He was a master manipulator. He knew how to hurt her. Putting her alone in a room with the hurricane shutters blocking the window. Clocks removed. No sound. No people. Nothing but herself and her thoughts.

But she’d endured it. She wouldn’t crack, wouldn’t give in to his mind games. She’d outplay him instead.

However, she’d almost lost it when she saw her girls. Poor Lin, trembling and afraid. Mae…what did she plot?

Portia had to stop her before she did something that drew her father’s wrath, which meant obeying him when he said to dress nicely for dinner.

Opening the closet, she noticed that it now held clothes rather than empty shelves. She chose a demure black dress, the kind that went over her knee with long sleeves and a square neckline, no cleavage. Some men might like curve-hugging and low-cut. Not Ronin.

Fully dressed, she rapped on the door. It opened, and a man stuck his face inside. “Ready?”

She nodded, not trusting herself to reply.

As she was herded down the hall, she caught movement and turned to see Lin, watching silently from behind a pillar that rose to the high, arched ceiling in the great room. She offered an exaggerated wink.

Why was her child winking?

Portia might have stopped to ask, yet her escort kept moving her along. Past the vast open space and through the formal dining space into a more private dining area. More of a lounge, with a table set for two, and a divan by a not-often-needed fireplace.

Ronin stood as she entered, always a perfect gentleman, all the better to hide the monster inside.

“My love, you are ravishing.” He approached and grabbed her hand, drawing her to the table and helping her take her seat.

She tucked her hands into her lap lest she grab a knife and stab him. Her girls. She had to think of them. Get them to safety first, then she’d handle Ronin.

“Husband.” She smiled sweetly. Pity her sleeping gloss had been lost with her purse of toys. But a household such as this one would be well stocked with things she could use.

“It is good you’ve come to your senses.”

“As if you gave me any choice.” She spread a napkin on her lap. Took note that there were no guards stationed inside the room, or outside on the balcony, at least that she could see. Thick curtains framed the doors, and they shifted slightly in a slight breeze.

“From here on out, your choices are simple. Obey me, and your life can be luxurious.”

“And if I don’t, you’ll hurt me or the girls.”

“Probably the dumber one. Until you’ve given me another heir, a male this time, the obedient one will serve.”

“Leave them alone.” She couldn’t listen to the threat and not speak.

“Testing my patience already, my love?” He arched a brow.

“More like wishing I’d had the courage to kill you ten years ago.”

“As if you could murder me now,” he sneered. “Go ahead and try. Do it.” He pointed to the knife in front of her. “Take it and stab me, slice