Page 61 of Emmy's Ride

The Ghost’s face was twisted in fury, his breath hot against my cheek.

“You little bitch,” he hissed.

My chest heaved, adrenaline pumping. But even through the haze of fear, I didn’t back down. I glared up at him, eyes burning, spitting blood onto the ground between us.

“Try that again,” I said through gritted teeth, “and I’ll rip your fucking throat out.”

His lips curled, his amusement slowly returning.

“Oh, sweetheart,” he murmured, brushing a thumb over my swollen lip. “I do love when they fight. Your training will be fun. I might even do it myself.”

He stood, looming over me. “But make no mistake,” he said, voice dropping to something lethal, final. “You’re mine now.”

The door behind us creaked open.

One of his men stepped in, a deep scar running down his cheek.

“Boss,” the man said. “There’s a buyer waiting for confirmation.”

The Ghost exhaled, like he was annoyed at the interruption.

Then he smiled down at me, eyes dark and hungry.

“Lucky girl,” he murmured, gripping my face hard enough to bruise. “Looks like I’ll have to wait to test the goods.”

Then he shoved me back against the cold concrete floor, turning on his heel.

Pain shot through my spine, but I refused to let the fear take hold.

Think. Find a way out. Because if I didn’t… I wasn’t getting out of here alive, and never seeing Austin again wasn’t an option. I wanted my chance at a life with him. I wanted to see the faces of our children.

Luke.

Tears filled my eyes.

“No,” I declared to the empty room. I needed to stay strong; this was not the time to fall apart.

Be smart. Be ready.

I started working on the tape around my hands.

Austin

The office buzzed with low laughter, the scent of whiskey, and leftover pizza. I sat at my desk, leaning back in my chair, listening as my brothers bullshitted with each other, their voices a comforting mix of deep chuckles and friendly jabs.

I’d come down to my office to get some work done and left Emmy in my room after our shower. My jeans tightened at the thought of seeing her all rosy and wet from the heat of the steam. I’d washed every inch of her.

I pushed those thoughts down. Getting hard in front of my men wouldn’t happen. She was being all domestic and fixing usdinner although I had no clue what I had in my kitchen for her to fix. I didn’t care what it was, I’d eat it and rave simply because she made it.

A loud round of laughter shook me back to the moment.

“You should’ve seen the kid,” Tank said, shaking his head with a smirk. “Noah damn near took out Brick with that wrench.”

The room erupted in laughter again.

Brick, perched on the far end of the couch, scowled and took a long swig of his beer. “Little shit’s got an arm on him, I’ll give him that. Plus he got the rusted nut off.”

“Good,” I muttered, rubbing my jaw. “Means he’s learning.”

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