Page 16 of His Fury

A flicker of something crossed his face. He wasn’t expecting that. Good. Patrick spread his hands. “Julian owes me. I took collateral. Seems fair.” He gave me a conspiratorial smile. “It seemed like taking his woman was the incentive he needed if you’re involved.”

His woman?

I didn’t blink. “Yeah, well, Julian owesme. Which means anycollateralhe has…ismine.”

Patrick’s smile faltered. “That’s not how this works.” Hisgaze flicked to Rye. “You’re both here because of a debt Julian Turner owes to me?” Patrick dropped his arms to his sides. “Unless…maybe there’s more involved here? She something to you?”

I took a slow step forward. “Not really. I’ve known Julian for a long time. Went to school with him for a few years.” I cocked my head. “Went to school with her too.”

Patrick swallowed, hesitating. That moment of uncertainty was all I needed.

“I also know her folks.” I saw the calculation in his eyes. “Her dad did me a solid a few years ago, and I owehim. She leaves with me.”

I let the silence stretch, let him absorb my bullshit. Then I sighed, shaking my head. “I don’t like repeating myself, Patrick. So I’ll say it once. This ends tonight. You’ll get your money from Julian, and you will never, and I meannever, let him play at your tables again.”

He chuckled, but it sounded forced. “That a threat?”

I didn’t answer. Just stared at him. The kind of stare that let men know their next move determined whether they lived to see another day or not.

The air in the warehouse shifted.

Patrick’s smirk dropped. He understood. I could see the moment he realized he was holding the wrong kind of leverage.

And I wasn’t here to bargain.

He cleared his throat, his head jerking towards a door across from us. “She’s in storage.”

I didn’t move. “Then I suggest you get her out.”

Patrick hesitated, anger in his eyes. He looked at one of his guys. The guy walked over to the door, opened it, and went inside. I heard the rumble of voices, and then she wasbeing led out, her hand up to shield her eyes against the bright lights.

Isla. Disheveled, pissed off, but alive.

I felt the knot in my chest loosen but only slightly.

She quickly dropped her hand, her eyes scanning the scene in front of her, and then her eyes landed on me, and something flashed across her face. Anger. Relief.Fear.

She stumbled as she stepped forward, and my body tensed before I could stop it.

Patrick lifted a hand like this was all just business. “We done here?” he asked with a dismissive sniff. “I want my money.”

“We’re done.” I didn’t take my eyes off Isla as I spoke. “I’ll tell Turner to pay his debt.”

Rye moved forward, and he reached for Isla’s arm, steadying her. Claiming her.

She sucked in a breath. “What?—”

“We’re leaving.” I spoke to Patrick only, my attention back on him since I knew Rye’s grip would be firm enough to let her know to keep quiet as he started leading her toward the exit.

“I trust this is just a temporary hiccup in our relationship?” Patrick asked, his smile as oily as he was.

I gave a tight smile. “Business as usual once I return her where she belongs.”

By my side.

“And she’ll keep quiet?” he asked casually.Toocasually. “About what happened here?”

My eyes locked on to his, understanding passing between us. If I hadn’t come, she was never going to make it out of here. “If you’re worried about loose tongues, I suggest you think through the consequences before you act.”

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