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Panic clawed at my insides, and I could feel the anger bubbling beneath the surface. Yeah, I was mad at her, might even be acting an ass toward her, but I had no intention of losing her. What the hell had happened? Cursing, I threw the tumbler, watching it shatter against the wall. I felt no better.
I had already assembled a search party that would rival the Texas Rangers when my phone buzzed with a new message. I glanced down, and my breath caught in my throat. It was a picture of Everly, face looking like a storm cloud, against the backdrop of a penthouse I knew all too well.
Before I could dial the number from which the picture was sent, I had an incoming video call. I didn’t even hesitate to answer, my heartbeat thundering as Aaqil’s face filled the screen.
“Montréal,” he began, his tone casual, as if he hadn’t just pulled a stunt that was going to get him killed. “I’ve been meaning to schedule a meeting with you.”
“What the hell did you do to her?” I gritted out, my fist clenching at my side. “Where’s Everly?”
“Relax, little brother.La beautéis just fine,” Aaqil said, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “I am a resourceful man, so I created the perfect opportunity.”
“The perfect opportunity? Bitch, you bold to touch mine. I been tryna stay off yo’ damn head, but you tryna get your leaf removed off ya daddy tree, huh?”
Aaqil’s brain had an upcoming date with the pavement. I was officially done with his attention seeking ass.
“Calm down, Real. It is truly simple. You come here, you see your woman,” Aaqil coaxed.
“Why would I trust you?” I demanded, fighting against the fury swirling inside me.
“Because she is safe with me for now. I vow that on my life,” he replied.
I swallowed hard, trying not to tell him that he had forfeited that when he took her.
“But if I were you, I wouldn’t take my time. You are not the only one interested in such beautiful property,” he taunted.
“Fuck does that mean?”
“You will see. Come alone. The penthouse code has been reset and the lock changed. Buzz from the elevator and I will allow you up. Do not be a fool, Montréal Hamilton.”
Then, his weak ass disconnected. I had let Aaqil trespass too many times. Tonight, he died.
I didn’t take much time to think. It was crazy to go by myself, but what choice did I have? I opened my text app to the thread with my siblings. I set a message to send in thirty minutes.I may need your help. Aaqil has Everly. I closed with the address of the penthouse. That was enough. My brothers would come through for me, shooting first and never asking questions.
The ride to the penthouse was a blur, the music pouring from my speakers unheard as adrenaline pumped through my veins. All that mattered was getting to Everly, getting answers, and figuring out what the hell was going on.I knew what Aaqil had said, but I also knew how attracted he’d been to her and what his little follower had planned for Chennai. I didn’t trust his ass as far as I could throw him. What if this bastard was trying to kill me and steal my woman?
It seemed to take forever, but finally, the building loomed dark and quiet above me, a stark contrast to the chaotic storm brewing inside me. I stepped inside and trekked to the elevator, tension simmering.
Entering the lift, I pressed the appropriate button. He answered immediately.
“Let me the fuck up,” I ordered.
The elevator embarked on a rapid climb. Then, the doors slid open, and Aaqil and his team appeared.
I didn’t object to the two minions at the door who searched me quickly. Alone on Aaqil’s turf with Love here, I wouldn’t risk anything. But as soon as I got her away, I’d be back.
“Little brother. Welcome back to my humble abode,” this bastard greeted, spreading his arms wide like some kind of demented host.
“Stop playing with me, Aaqil. Where is she, you raggedy ass bastard?” I demanded.
He chuckled. “Bastard? No, that would be all of your mother’s children. But why the rush? First, you must meet the other contender for the hand ofla beauté.”
He gestured toward the man on the couch who rose quietly.
“You know, once I found out her actual background, it was not hard to learn her story. It would seem she has no qualms about leaving broken hearts behind. Montréal Hamilton, meet Raouf bin Khalid bin Abdullah Al Aziz. He is the lovely Everly’s ex. He is here because he wants to be her present. Raouf is Saudi, but it turns out that he and I have a connection. His mother is Libyan, making him my countryman. I found myself kindly disposed toward him, willing to help him out. Snatching the woman you are so crazy about for him was so satisfying. And even in the… circumstances she currently faces, Raouf is willing to accept her back. I thought it would be so nice of me to help him.” He laughed even as my blood froze in my veins. “I thought it would be even nicer to reunite them in front of you. You’ve been so sure that I couldn’t touch you, brother. I had to show you that I could touch you where it hurts most. Trust you to make my plans difficult,” he groused. “Go get her,” he snapped at one of his men.
All sorts of shit played through my head as I waited, primarily the million ways I wanted to murder Aaqil bin Ismail al-Saleh.
A few moments later, Love walked from the back of the penthouse, followed by a guard. My first sight of her eased my breath, realigned my mind. Her face softened when she saw me, before she raced into my arms. The feel of her lush body was fucking heaven. I breathed in the scent of her hair, relief washing over me.