Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

Keira turned with a gasp, stumbling back as her worst nightmare stepped towards her. Where had he come from? How did he get in here?

“Vin-vincento,” she stuttered out. “What are you doing here?”

She glanced around. He must have somehow snuck past security and have hidden himself next to the doorway, using Renard as bait to lure her in there.

“Why do you think I am here, Sacha? I came for you. My little bird who flew the nest.” He suddenly slapped her. Pain lit up her face and she took a quick step back, her knee protesting the sharp movement.

Sacha? Who the hell was Sacha? Was that his wife? Had he gone insane?

“That was very naughty of you and you will have to be punished once I get you home. But I’m sure you were influenced by that evil bastard who stole you from me.”

Stole her? Did he have her confused with his wife?

“I’m not Sacha,” she said quietly. “I’m Keira.”

Rage filled his face and she gasped in a breath, stumbling back further.

“I know you’re Keira! Do you think I am insane? I know that Sacha is dead. I took care of the people who hurt her. Just as I’ll take care of the people who took you from me, little bird. And that includes Julian. I miscalculated with him. I thought he was a good way to break you without permanently causing you harm, but I never should have kept him alive.”

Her stomach bubbled with nausea. Her body flushed with heat.

Don’t faint. Do not faint. If you faint, he will take you.

“How did you find us?”

“I’ve been searching for you both since you left.” There was a glint of madness in his voice, his face. “I tried to track down the servant who helped you. Somehow, he and his family had already disappeared.”

Thank you, Joel. She knew he’d helped relocate Luis and his Abuela.

“So I hired investigators to track you down. One of them found that helpful little article online and here I am. You should have hidden better, little bird.”

“There are men outside. They—”

Another slap. Tears filled her eyes at the sting but she refused to cower. She knew that was what he wanted. “Have been taken care of. Nothing is going to stop me from taking my little bird home with me.” His face tightened. “Nothing and no one.”

She moved back, away from him. “I’ll scream.”

“Then whoever comes for you will die.” He raised his hand and she saw the gun in his hand. She stumbled back, tripping over Renard and falling to the floor, her knee wrenching painfully.

She had to bite back a cry of agony. Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill.

Be brave, Keira.

Oh, God. She couldn’t risk anyone else. Didn’t want anyone else to die. But she also couldn’t go with him. He’d kill her. Cole and Julian would come for her, and he’d kill them as well.

Anger filled her at the thought. This was it. Her chance to protect her men. There was no way she was going to let this asshole hurt them.

Never again.

Her fury fueled her courage. She glanced around, searching for something she could use to fight back. She spotted something lying half-hidden under Renard’s prone body.

His knife!

She quickly glanced back up at Vincento, not wanting him to see what she was looking at as she shuffled back, as though trying to get further away from him. Her hand brushed against the knife and she grabbed the hilt.

“Stand up,” Vincento demanded.

She shook her head, letting her tears free. “No, please! No!” She wanted him to think she was hysterical. Weak. She wanted him to underestimate her. There was no way he would imagine her fighting back.