Page 59 of Protected By Her Daddy

I narrow my eyes on him. “Why do you think? Insurance against you, asshole.”

Jerry’s laughter echoes around the parking lot. “Oh, look at you, all grown up and trying to be brave.” His gaze flicks to Jonas. “Put her in the car.”

Panic widens my eyes. “You have what you want. Let me go.”

It’s Gregory’s turn to laugh. “No chance. A beauty like you is still useful, even if you are used goods.” His gaze falls to my stomach. “But we’ll have to get rid of his spawn first.”

“Lay a finger on me or my baby, and I’ll fucking kill you!” I spit, struggling against Ethan’s hold. It’s an empty threat. He knows it. I know it. But I won’t go down without a fight. I’ll protect my baby’s life, my life, with everything I have.

Gregory tips his head to the side. “Funny. Your mother said the same thing the night you ran.”

“You left her there to die, you piece of shit,” I spit at him.

He shrugs. “So did you. Besides, she’s the one who chose to piss her life away on drugs. Never did know when to stop. Not my fault she didn’t make it.”

I open my mouth with a stinging reply, then snap it closed again as his words register. Not my fault she didn’t make it. Wait, he thinks she’s dead? Tears prick my eyes, and I know instinctively that Gabriel arranged it that way to keep Mom safe.

God, please let me find a way out of this. Please let Gabriel be okay. I just want to see him, hold him, one last time.

“Move.” Ethan pushes me toward the vehicle, causing me to stumble.

I’m about to scream, to fight, when a familiar voice echoes from the shadows of the garage.

“Take your fucking hands off my wife.”

All heads whip toward the sound, and out steps Gabriel, followed closely by Ed and half a dozen of their men. All armed, guns drawn and aimed directly at the men attempting to abduct me.

Relief, sharp and visceral, threatens to buckle my knees. I must make a noise because Gabriel’s gaze whips to mine. For a second, his eyes are tormented, but he quickly shutters his emotions, and icy determination settles over his features. My husband is in professional mode, all steely resolve and military might.

But my relief at seeing my husband whole and unharmed is quickly tempered as Ethan presses the cold barrel of his gun to my temple.

Chapter 18

Gabriel

“Don’t move!” Ethan shouts, his voice laced with desperation. “I’ll shoot her if you come any closer.”

Ethan’s hand clamps around Wren’s arm, his gun pointed at her head. My girl, my pregnant little bird, has terror stamped on her face.

Fury unlike anything I’ve ever experienced floods my system, but I have to stay in control. One false move, and I’ll lose everything that matters to me in this world.

I lock eyes with Wren, silently willing her to stay calm. She blinks, letting me know she understands and trusts me to get her out of this. Her faith in me almost brings me to my knees. She’s the only person who ever could.

“Let her go, Ethan,” Ed says, his tone deadly. “You’re not walking out of here with her.”

Wren winces as Ethan tightens his grip on her, his hand trembling slightly as he keeps the gun pressed against her head. “Back off, or I swear, I’ll pull the trigger.”

I see Jerry and Gregory inch toward their vehicle, clearly wanting to escape, while Ethan has everyone at a standstill.

Then, the huge, tattooed man beside Ethan turns and aims his weapon at him. “Drop the gun.”

Ethan freezes, his eyes widening in shock. “Jonas? What the hell are you doing?”

Jonas steps closer, his voice low and steady. “I’m doing my job, Ethan. The job Gabriel hired me to do. Drop the gun. Now.”

Confusion and betrayal flicker across Ethan’s face as he processes what’s happening. “You… you work for us. You’re our gun for hire.”

Jonas doesn’t flinch. “I was never working for you, Ethan. Now, I’m not going to say it again. Drop the gun.”

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