“Let her go, Cane.”
His licks the side of her face, looking back to me. “You think I’m stupid? I know you won’t hurt me while I have her, she’s too precious to you.” He says this with the biggest of smirks. “So here is where she’ll stay until I work out a way out of here without your men killing me… and I will, Ryken.”
“Do you want the clubs?” I ask him, thinking negotiation may be my best bet.
He laughs at me. “No. I had them. I’m over them. I don’t want them, Ryken. I want your life. What you have… even her.”
“Why?”
“I hated you from the moment I met you. That was mostly your father’s fault, though. He fucked my mother, had a child, and kept it secret.” I look at him, confused. “Me. He was my father, too. She told me one night after a dinner function. I didn’t believe her. I thought she was in one of her drunken stupors. That was until she showed me the proof. He made her sign paperwork, relieving him of any responsibility. To hide me, so I wasn’t traceable. He never wanted me. Imagine my surprise when I found out he had a son. One that he gives everything to and the son didn’t appreciate that gift at all.” He shakes his head again. “You’re my brother, and I fucking hate you. I guess we have something in common, right? We both fell in love with the same blonde.” He kisses Barbie’s cheek again. Then looks back to me. “And our father was an ass.”
“You can have it. I’ll give it all to you. But her… no. Let her go.”
Cane looks at her and then to me. Barbie hasn’t said a word and hasn’t moved. She knows what to do, and I can’t help but think that’s my fault too. She should run from me and never look back. Let’s face it, it would be a safer plan for her to do so.
“I don’t want it. Now all I want is to hurt you. How do you think it’s best to do that, Ryken? What should I do that will ruin you?”
My eyes drop to her, but he already knows what will kill me.
Slow motion—that’s what happens when your heart drops through your chest and out your feet.
The knife slices and her eyes go wide as he cuts her across the neck. He pushes Saskia forward, and I manage to catch her, automatically lifting to check her neck. She’s bleeding, but she’s not cut too seriously. A flesh wound to distract me, because when I look back up for him he’s gone and I’m covered in blood.
Michael’s the first to come in. I pull my shirt from my body and wrap it around her neck to slow the bleeding. She’s calm and doesn’t make a sound, her hand touches my bare chest as she leans on me.
“Bottom drawer is full of bandages.” I point in the direction of the cupboard.
Michael walks off and comes back with the kit, while she lays her head on my chest. Pulling the shirt off, I quickly clean the area and bandage her up. Making sure to kiss her the minute I’m done. She still doesn’t say a word as we stand and see everyone watching us.
Even Quinn who’s now carrying a knocked-out Cane by his shirt. Barbie looks to me then to Cane. I knew he wouldn’t get far, not with Quinn outside. My hand strokes her face, her eyes no longer crying as she stares at me. “What are you going to do with him?”
I look back to Quinn, who picks Cane up carrying him to where we keep our collections down in the basement. Looking back to her, I lean in and kiss her lips softly.
“Sabrina’s going to go up to my room with you, and Michael’s going to stand guard. You’ll be safe.” Standing up I lift her, and she falls into my arms easily as I carry her. Sabrina follows with no argument, and Michael does as well. Walking her up the stairs, I take her straight to my bed and lay her down on it. “A doctor will come soon to fix your neck.” I brush her hair away from her face. She turns away and pulls the blanket up, not looking at me. Sabrina walks in and lays down next to her, switching the television on, while Michael stays at the door. Walking back out and down the stairs, Michael’s guys all hang around waiting and watching to see what’s going to come.
But as I walk down the stairs to the basement, I shut the door behind me, so it’s just Quinn, Cane, and myself. The way it’s been several times before. Cane’s tied to the stairs, his hands up above his head, as he sits on the cold cement floor. He’s awake now and looking at us.