Page 5 of Ruthless Redemption

I’d be fucking turned on if I wasn’t concerned for her safety.

“Believe me, you’ll have more than enough time to make your resentment known once we reach our destination,” I mutter under my breath. “But if you don’t move your ass, Iwillcarry you.”

Her chin rises, her mega-watt scowl turning to hit me head on. “Touch me and I promise you won’t live to regret it.”

A thrill skitters through my veins. If she isn’t careful, she’ll learn the hard way that defiance isn’t the best strategy against me. “Then get out of the fucking car,amore mio. We need to disappear.”

Her jaw tightens as she continues to stare me down. Seconds pass. My pulse increases.

I want an excuse to grab her. Touch her. Force her to me and make her see sense.

“Where are we going?” Finally, she scoots from the back seat and moves to stand before me, her shoulders straight with authority.

“Somewhere safe.” I slam the door behind her while Bishop climbs from the other side of the vehicle.

I stalk beside her toward the jet whirring on the tarmac, the stairs lowered, the pilot already waiting in the cockpit.

I pause at the first step and indicate with a wave of a hand for her to proceed before me.

She plants her feet. “I’ll follow.”

No, she’ll run, and I’m more than tempted to let her just for the opportunity to give chase.

She has no idea of the dangerous response she’s spurring to life inside me. If she knew, her expression would be less defiant and more fearful.

“Move.” I hold her gaze, daring her to defy me.

She’s undaunted, maintaining my stare for numerous heartbeats. “You’re such an asshole.” She reaches for the hand rail and climbs the slim staircase to disappear inside.

“Asshole?” Bishop murmurs as he stands by my side. “I don’t think she fully grasps the description her brother gave.”

“Don’t cause shit for me.” I keep my focus on the top of the stairs.

“Cause shit foryou?” He gives a derisive huff and takes the first step. “My bad. Here I was thinking you were the one fucking me over with your drama.”

The slumberous itch of remorse attempts to niggle its way into my chest.

We fought hard to get away from this lifestyle. To distance ourselves from the devil’s to-do list.

Now it looks like I’ve dragged us back in.

But this is temporary.

I follow him into the jet and jerk my chin in greeting at the copilot who waits at the entrance to the cockpit. “Get us in the air, Malcolm. The sooner, the better.”

“Will do, sir.” He drags the staircase inside and shuts the door behind me, enclosing us in a volatile capsule of aggression and hatred.

Bishop starts down the aisle. “I’ll reach out to Irene and make sure the house is stocked and cleaned before we arrive.”

“Ask her to provide any necessities for our guest.”

He nods, passing Layla who sits on a window seat in the middle of the cabin.

The coastal safe house has everything Bishop and I will need—clothes, toiletries, weapons. But I don’t want Layla left wanting. I’m impatient for her forgiveness. And the looming deadline to regain her love is already a tightening noose around my neck.

I’ve got thirty days. Yet I want to believe I can achieve it in one.

I take the seat beside her, ignoring her stubborn silence as the jet begins to move. I plan my defense while we remain in a holding pattern near the runway and indulge the quiet she obviously craves as we leave the ground.

---