Page 80 of Knot Your Romeo

Beck’s hands clench into fists, the only visible sign of his rising fury. “Get off my property. Now.”

“I’ll leave as soon as I have my daughter.”

“She’s not your daughter. And even if she were, she’s an adult who can make her own choices.”

“Not according to these documents.” Blake produces a folder from his jacket, waving it casually. “Signed by three psychiatrists and a judge. Emmie Darling is legally incompetent to decide about her own welfare.”

The papers are fake—they have to be. But they look official enough to muddy the legal waters, to give Blake just enough justification to take her by force and sort out the details later.

That’s when I hear the second car. Beck grabs his phone to call Mr. Sampson, but it’s knocked out of his hands.

The car door opens and then closes. But Emmie and Mr. Sampson are out of sight. I have one chance to get them out of here.

“Emmie, get in the car and go!” I yell before my head is slammed into the wall.

I’m dazed when my eyes open again seconds later.

She looks beautiful and confident in her fitted clothes and stylish haircut, completely unaware of the danger waiting for her.Didn’t she hear me?

Only when she sees the helicopter does confusion and then panic cross her face. But it’s when she sees Blake that every drop of color drains from her cheeks.

“Hello, darling,” Blake says with genuine warmth, as if he’s greeting a beloved daughter instead of stalking his prey. “Did you miss me?”

The sound that escapes Emmie’s throat is barely human—a wounded animal cry that cuts straight through my chest. She takes an instinctive step backward, but Blake’s men are already moving.

“No!” she screams, breaking into a run. “No, no, no!”

But there’s nowhere to go. Two men flank her expertly, cutting off her escape route. When she tries to dart toward the main house, the linebacker catches her around the waist, lifting her off the ground despite her struggles.

“Put her down!” Beck roars, starting forward, despite the guns still trained on his body.

Blake produces a gun from inside his jacket. This one is larger, more serious. “I really wouldn’t recommend that, Mr. Silver. My associates are very well trained, and accidents happen.”

Beck freezes, and I can see the calculation in his eyes. He’s weighing options, looking for an opening, but Blake has chosen his moment perfectly. Too many variables, too much risk to Emmie.

“Let me go!” Emmie fights like a wildcat, clawing at her captor’s arms, trying to break free. “Beck! Eli! Help me!”

The desperation in her voice breaks something fundamental in my chest. I struggle against the zip ties, not caring that they’re cutting into my wrists, not caring about the guns or the odds or anything except getting to her.

“It’s all right, sweetheart,” Blake says soothingly, holstering his weapon now that the situation is under control. “Daddy’s here now. We’re going home.”

“You’re not my father!” she screams, her legs kicking wildly. “You’re a monster! A fucking psychopath!”

Blake’s expression doesn’t change, but something cold flickers in his eyes. “Language, Emmie. We’ll need to work on that once we’re home.”

They’re moving toward the helicopter now. Emmie fights every step of the way, but the pilot has increased the rotor speed, preparing for immediate departure.

“Wait,” Beck calls out, his voice carrying absolute authority. “Name your price.”

Blake pauses, interested despite himself. “I’m sorry?”

“Whatever you think she’s worth to you, I’ll double it. Triple it. Name any figure, and I’ll transfer the funds immediately.”

For a moment, I think it might actually work. Blake is a businessman, after all, and money talks in his language. But then he laughs—a sound like breaking glass.

“Mr. Silver, you misunderstand the situation entirely. This isn’t about money. This is about family. About a father’s love for his daughter.” The way he says “love,” makes my skin crawl. “You see,” Blake continues, “Emmie has a very specific genetic profile. Excellent Omega genes, proven fertility in her female line, exceptional intelligence. She’s going to give me beautiful, valuable children. And no amount of money can replace that kind of investment.”

“Over my dead body,” Beck snarls.

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