Lawful: Gia ~ Hunter ~ Julian ~ Jarrod

“Well, isn’t this romantic.”

Gia’s hand clenches around mine as our heads turn toward the large man at the back of the room, sitting at the kitchen table.

I gasp and feel Gia tremble beside me as another two men with guns make their presence known.

I whip my head back to Jarrod, and he’s shoved Ivy behind his back, but as I slowly look back toward the men, I realize that the man sitting is Abatangelo—the man, a term I use loosely, considering the things he’s done.

“It’s surprising what some digging can unearth.” He grins. “Like how obsessed you are over the young lady behind you.”

Jarrod clenches his jaw and the anger I see would be unnerving if it was directed at me. He looks like he wants to rip the asshole apart, but I also see fear in his eyes.

The man is into some serious stuff and we appear to be outnumbered, in strength and weapons, at least.

Gia slowly moves toward her father, but I tug her back to my side. She needs to stay away because if the man wants Jarrod, then Gia is someone who can be used just as effectively as Ivy. Jarrod would protect me just as well because he’s an honorable man just like Julian and Hunter.

Our men will show up here. That’s a given. I just hope it’s sooner rather that later.

“Nothing to say to me?” Abatangelo asks, sitting back looking smug while I notice the huge sumo looking guy with him, staring at Gia and I.

“Keep your eyes off them,” Jarrod spits the words. “It’s me you want… So take me, and let them go.”

The man laughs. “I’d get good money for the girls.” His eyes harden. “So no. I won’t be taking you and leaving the girls, but I am considering leaving you behind.” He licks his lips. “I could have the girls out of the country within hours.”

“Like hell you will.” Jarrod holds his position in front of Ivy.

“I could shoot you,” he calmly says, just like someone else would ask for candy while pointing his gun at Jarrod’s head.

“No!” Ivy shouts, and before Jarrod can stop her, she’s in front of him, her arms around his waist while he tries to move her away.

“Dammit, Ivy,” he hisses. “Get behind me.”

“So this firecracker is willing to die for you, huh?” Abatangelo drawls moving closer.

Unease clouds Jarrod’s face while he continues to try and pry Ivy from in front of him.

“But not today,” the asshole continues. “Today I have other plans, and that’s putting a stop to you,” he leers at Gia, “and your husband and his friend, interfering with my operation. All I need is tomorrow night and then I’m done. The last of the girls will be sold and taken out of the country, and then I can leave—never to return.” He grins, turning my stomach.

“You seriously think you’re going to get away with this?” Gia questions, only to have Jarrod cursing.

“I already have, and I will. You see you three girls are going to be our assurance that we do, so I’m not worried. Your father will be helping us because if he doesn’t then one-by-one accidents will happen.” He smirks. “I love it when everything goes as planned.”

“Not today,” Hunter says.

We turn to his voice and get a surprise. Hunter, Julian, Gia’s Uncle Colin, and other’s wearing battle gear have silently entered the back of the room while we were all distracted in the front of the kitchen.

My eyes seek out those of Julian, and his momenta

rily flicker to mine. I see his relief and love for me before he turns his attention back to the men who invaded Ivy’s home.

Abatangelo is bright red in the face and I’m pretty sure he’s close to blowing a gasket. His fists clench at his sides while his eyes search for an escape.

Jarrod slowly moves toward us with Ivy having finally let go of the death grip that she had around his waist. But as he inches closer to us, Abatangelo turns to him.

Jarrod pushes Ivy at us, and shouts, “Get outside…Now!”

We grab Ivy and run outside, only to be urged around the corner by more DEA agents in battle gear. They try to urge us toward the end of the driveway but none of us budge.

“Please ma’am, we need to get you to safety,” one of the guys says.