The Bandit (The Stolen Duet 1)

“You sure it’s a good idea taking her with us?” Lucas grilled for the fifth fucking time.

“She needs to see for herself what she’s up against,” I answered the same as before.

“She could get hurt.”

“She’ll be killed if she’s not convinced leaving isn’t in her best interest.”

He was silent, but I knew it wouldn’t last. “What if you’re just looking for a reason to keep her around?”

My jaw worked, and I forced my response—the only response—through my teeth. “I don’t need to.” Why did I need a reason to keep someone who was already mine?

I had clothes sent up to Mian with the order to show her face in five minutes, or I’d drag her down naked. She came down mere seconds before the five-minute mark. She didn’t question or bother to look me in the eye.* * *When we arrived, the guards at the gate were reluctant to allow us entry but a few guns to their heads and the promise to visit their families while they slept in their beds changed their minds. I had my entire security team flanking us as we made our way inside. Mian remained silent through it all, and Z guided her inside by her arm. We were shown to the senator’s office after forcing submission from the rest of his security team. They would all be out of a job by morning anyway, so all they had left to lose was their life.

“Knight,” the senator greeted after I pushed my way inside and closed the door. “Your visit is unexpected.”

“I’m not the type to make an appointment.”

“Or wait for an invitation for that matter.” I shrugged and took a seat without him offering, and his eyes narrowed at the slight. “What brings you by?”

“The job’s not going to happen.”

“But you took the money.”

“And I intend to give it to your grandson for child support. It’s not enough for what your punk ass son did by abandoning him before he was even born, but it will do.”

“You’ll do no such thing. We don’t even know if that baby is really his.”

“You and I both know if he wasn’t your son’s kid, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”

“What makes you think I’ll justletyou take my money and give it to her bastard?”

Most of my control evaporated, but I managed to keep my fists tight around the arms of the chair rather than pummeling them into his face. “Call him a bastard again, and you won’t live to see me take all your money and give it toCaylen.” He looked confused, and it dawned on me that he didn’t even know his grandson’s name. “Your illegitimate grandson’s name is Caylen. Now, be a good boy and say his name so I’ll know you get me.”

He hesitated, so I pulled my gun and sat it on my lap. I wasn’t the least bit concerned about the guards standing on the other side of the door.

His faced paled as he looked from me to the gun. I didn’t remove my finger from the trigger until he said his name. I told myself it was guilt for what I had done to his mother that made me want to protect him so fiercely. No one knew that I spent the nights sitting with him to make sure he slept well. They didn’t know I talked to him when no one was around. I told him stories of how she’d been a pain in the ass since she was ten years old. If I had a heart, I’m sure he would have stolen a place in it. But since I didn’t, taking down the senator was merely restitution.

“So we are in agreement then.” He was smart enough to know I wasn’t asking and kept his mouth shut. “I’ll give her the money you’ve already paid me, and she stays away forever. With the amount of money you paid to off them, she won’t need to bother you again.” My lips curled as I stared down the senator. It would have been cheaper for him to simply pay her off, but the pussy had zero honor.

Mian wasn’t money hungry.

She had no aspirations of wealth or prestige and would have been content just being able to give Caylen a healthy life. She’s sacrificed her entire life to give him one,and she would have continued to do so long after he was old enough to take the wheel.

“We have an arrangement,” he agreed slowly.

“Good. Now where’s your son? There’s someone you should meet.” The senator’s sat stoic. His refusal to answer didn’t deter me, however, from going to the door and opening it. Mian stood between Lucas and Z with our guard surrounding them. Her wide-eyed gaze met mine and in them were questions she was about to get the answers to. I crooked my finger and for the first time she came without coercion. “Bring his son to me,” I directed to Lucas and Z before hauling her in and shutting the door.