“Really? Look where he’s reaching from! The second fucking chair. He’s the second son. The one no one wants. The one who is constantly overlooked! Fuck. He knows that if he takes out Alex, war will break out between us. Liam would be on a rampage, like he was when he … lost her mother. We’d die—”
“And it would give him the perfect opportunity to rise up the ranks and take over.”
A cell phone rang.
Roman patted his chest and pulled out his cell phone, seeing that it was a video call from an unnamed caller. He didn’t like this. “Where’s Alex?” he asked.
“Who is calling?”
Roman didn’t have time to answer as he accepted the call and he saw Alex, lying on a bed, eyes closed, and blood spilling from her forehead.
“Surprise, big brother,” Phillip said.
He grabbed the phone tightly, pissed off to see his little brother on the line. The smug smile on his face was enough to make him want to kill him.
“Did you suspect me?”
“Where is Alex?”
“Oh, she is taking a little nap,” Phillip said. “You were so busy fighting that I knew now was my perfect opportunity.”
“You’ve been in the house the whole time?” Roman asked.
“Well, of course. I didn’t get an actual invite. Seeing as all my other men had failed to put this bitch to ground, I had no choice but to do it myself.”
“And because you know where all the secret hiding spots are and tunnels, you were able to get into the bathroom without us seeing you.”
“Bingo, so there is more to you than being a pretty boy.”
“You leave Alex alone. Your problem is with me.”
“Phillip, son, what are you doing?” Lucas asked.
“Ah, dear old daddy, he is there. This is good. I suspect his little buddy Liam is there as well.”
Roman gritted his teeth, anger rising up inside him as Phillip sat on the edge of the bed.
“I’m here.”
“Good, that is good. I want Roman and Liam to come to me. Don’t bring any weapons, or any soldiers. Daddy, I suggest you go back into your office and wait for my call. You are going to want to see this. Oh, and if any of you fail to do as I say, Alex pays the price. You know, I thought she was pretty before, but up close, I can see just how stunning she looks.” Phillip traced a finger across her chest.
“Get your fucking hands off her!” Roman couldn’t stand to see anyone touching her.
Alex was his. No one else’s. No one else should be touching what belonged to him.
Phillip laughed. “Good. I know you’ll come, and if you don’t, I’m going to take her for a test drive, brother, and see if I can have her screaming my name but for a whole other reason.”
The line went dead. Seconds later, a text came through with a location.
Roman didn’t even hesitate. He walked toward his car.
“Roman, what are you doing?” Lucas asked.
“I’m going to get my wife.”
“This is your brother.”
“And Alex is my fucking wife. She had done nothing to deserve being hurt by him.” Liam moved toward the car, but Roman didn’t care.