There was a rough edge to Stephan’s voice. I looked up into his face and could see the anger boiling beneath the surface, the vein in his neck pulsing vigorously.
Even though I knew he’d be leaving, when Tom moved toward the door, I jumped. Stephan rubbed his hand up and down my side. I closed my eyes and tried to take a deep breath.
If I hadn’t opened the door, none of this would be happening. Why had I opened the door?
“Deep breaths, Brianna.”
He looked down at me, concern on his face.
He brought his hands up to cup my cheeks, and I instantly missed his arms around me. I wanted to sit in his chair with him, lay my head on his shoulder, and forget everything outside the two of us existed. Closing my eyes, I leaned into his hands, taking what he was willing to give me.
John groaned, grabbing both of our attentions. I cringed back, but Stephan refused to release me.
He tilted my chin up, making me look at him. “Your father and I are going to talk. Do you wish to stay or go into the other room?”
“I want to stay with you,” I whispered.
He smiled and brushed his lips against mine in the softest of kisses. “I want you to sit in my chair. You can watch and listen, but if he tries to speak to you, I don’t want you to answer. Not yet anyway. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir.” I nodded.
“Good girl.” He rewarded me with another gentle kiss before releasing me.
I did what he’d asked, taking a seat in his chair. It was a good fifteen feet away from where he and John were in the dining room, but I could still see everything. Stephan stood, towering over John as he began to stir. It didn’t take him long to realize his hands were tied, and I saw him pull on the ropes sharply to test their strength. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the look of frustration cross his face. He wasn’t going anywhere.
John lifted his head. He first looked at Stephan, frowned, and then turned his head. I knew he was looking for me, and I burrowed further into the chair, pulling my legs up onto the cushion. Once he located me across the room, his expression changed. It softened for just a moment before going hard again.
“Welcome back,” Stephan said, his voice anything but welcoming.
My father tore his gaze away from me and glared at Stephan. “I underestimated you.”
Stephan ignored his comment.
“What are you doing here?”
John spit out blood from where Stephan had busted his lip in their fight. I glanced up at Stephan and realized that he’d been injured as well. Moisture pooled in my eyes. He’d been hurt trying to protect me, and I hadn’t even noticed. A sob ripped from my throat. I couldn’t stop it.
They both heard me. Stephan left my father and walked over to me, kneeling in front of where I was sitting in his chair. He rested his hands on my bare legs.
“What’s wrong?” he whispered so that only I could hear.
I reached out, my fingers grazing over his wounds. “You’re hurt.”
He smiled and kissed my fingers. “I’m fine.”
“How’d you do it?” John’s voice cut through the room, interrupting. We both turned our heads toward him, my hands falling back into my lap as Stephan stood. I missed his touch instantly.
“I don’t believe you’re in any position to ask questions,” Stephan said, stalking back toward John.
John laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “I knew rich boys like you got your kicks in strange ways, but I didn’t think you’d be into kidnapping, what with you being such an upstanding citizen and all. I’ve done my research on you, Mr. Coleman. I wonder what all those rich people who throw their money at you and your foundation would think if they found out you like to take young girls.”
Stephan
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. The man was unbelievable. He broke into my house, scared Brianna, and then had the nerve to threaten me?
“I think you should choose your words wisely. As for Brianna... she isn’t your concern anymore. You gave up that right when you sold her.”
His eyes went wide. Shock?