Page 85 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

“Okay, so what did you want to see me about?”

He hasn’t yet sat, and I glance around me because the energy in the room feels charged.

“I’m sorry about this, Stella.” Dad nods to someone over my shoulder, and I do a double take as a guard opens the door and five more shuffle in.

“What—”

It’s like evil seeps inside, and I shudder as the man I must marry steps into the room with a confident and horrifying smirk.

“Hello, Stella,” Tony says.

“Stella, it’s best—”

“What’s going on?” I shuffle in the chair, but my arms are gripped from behind again, and I’m pulled to my feet. “No! No. What are you doing? Let me go!”

“Take her.” Tony demands. “Voss, say your goodbyes. I’m taking your daughter, and you can consider our debt cleared.”

My eyes fly to Dad, who has the grace to look away. He presses his fingers into his desk and turns to Tony. “Thank you.”

“Dad!” I scream as my arms are pulled behind my back. I kick and toss my body around, but the men are too strong. “Dad! Help me!”

Tony grips my face painfully. “Stop fighting.”

I spit at him. Which, I guess, isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

I pant as he slowly pulls a handkerchief out of his top pocket and wipes saliva off his face. Darkness rages in his eyes.

Oh, shit.

“Do that again and I’ll inject you with a drug rendering you unconscious,” he snarls.

“You can’t do that. This is America. This is kidnapping. Tell them to let me go! Dad!” I glance at him, but he’s sat down at his desk now and refuses to meet my eye.

Tony orders his security to carry me out, and with my feet barely touching the floor, I continue screaming.

“Dad!”

“Muffle her,” Tony instructs, and material is shoved in my mouth.

No.

This can’t be happening.

Declan.

Declan, help me!

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

DECLAN

––––––––

“Mr. Voss, my name is Josh Hawke, director of Black Hawke Security. We’d like to come in and speak with you.”

Grayson stands behind us, Josh and I.

“How did you get up here?” Victor growls.