Page 3 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

But then I remember.

I remember everything; her betrayal is as vivid as ever in my mind.

That helps me rebuild the fortress around my heart.

My fingers wrap around her wrist, and for a split second, I have to fight the urge to squeeze harder than I should.It’s not her I want to crush.It’s everything she’s done, everything she represents.But damn if she doesn’t make it hard to separate the two.

Her head snaps up, and her amber eyes widen when they land on me.

“Thank God it’s you,” she whispers, her voice trembling like she’s relieved to see me.

For a moment, I see her the way she was back then—the girl who once made me believe in things I should’ve known better than to trust.But the illusion vanishes as quickly as it comes.She’s not that innocent girl anymore, and I’m sure as hell not the man who loved her.

I yank her out of the limo harder than I should.She stumbles, her legs weak beneath her, that damn black silk dress clinging to her like a second skin.It’s like she’s still trying to be the woman I fell for, still playing the role she thinks will work on me.

It just pisses me off more.

“Don’t thank your lucky stars just yet.”My voice is low, sharp.“You’ll regret this reunion before the day’s over.”

Her eyes dart to mine, a flicker of confusion and desperation in them.“Dave, what do you mean?I asked for your help.”

I grit my teeth, trying to bury the part of me that still reacts to her.“Be careful what you pray for, princess.The gods just might listen.”

She stumbles again, her voice rising in panic.“Where’s Rose?Did you get her?Please, Dave—tell me she’s safe!”

Her words hit me harder than I expected, digging deep into places I thought were long dead.“Rose is safe.We grabbed her this morning.She’s in a safe house.You’ll go to her soon.”

Relief floods her face, but it’s short-lived.Her eyes flick past me, locking onto the men waiting by the SUV—my bodyguards, Phil and Angus.Phil’s holding a black hood.

“Dave, no.Please.Don’t blindfold me.I’ll behave.I promise.Just… don’t do it like this.”

Her voice cracks, and she grabs at me, her hands batting at my arms, her legs kicking out as panic takes over.For a second, I hate her.Hate her for putting me in this position, for needing me.I hate myself more for not being able to walk away.

I haul her off her feet, ignoring the sting of her nails raking across my arm despite the thick fabric of my black suit.Angus strides in, securing her wrists and ankles with zip ties.Phil pulls the hood over her head, muffling her pleas.

“Do it,” I bark, harsher than I mean to.

Angus nods and injects the sedative into her neck.Her body goes limp in my arms, she’s weightless, like a ghost.Very fitting.That’s what she’s become.The memories of what we used to have haunt my mind, sneaking up on me when I least expect.

I settle her in the back seat, strapping her in.

I slam the door shut and turn to Angus.“You know what to do.Report when you’re done.”

“Yes, boss.”

I watch as the SUV pulls away, taking her with it.I should feel relieved.I should feel something.But all I feel is the weight of what I’ve just done.The line I’ve crossed.The line that gets harder and harder to see every time I step over it.

I slide into the driver’s seat of the Maserati, shutting the door.My forehead rests against the steering wheel for a moment, the tension coiling tighter in my chest.

Tommy would call me a fool.Hell, Shelby wouldn’t be far behind.But they don’t know what it’s like to look into her eyes and feel that pull, that goddamn pull that’s never gone away.

“What the hell have I just done?”The words scrape past my clenched teeth, but there’s no answer.Not one I want, anyway.

I fish my phone from the inner pocket of my jacket and dial a number.

Joe DiLorenzo picks it up on the second ring, “What’s up, D?”

“I need your cleaning crew.My men are busy at the moment.”

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