Page 122 of Coercion

She glances back at me, a smile gracing her lips. “You all thought you could trade my daughter like she was one of those diamonds from our mines. My husband tried it first, then Levi. Now you think she belongs to you, that because you forced a ring on her finger, she’s your family now and not mine.”

“You started this, Diana. The minute you tried to steal your husband’s business.”

I let out a gasp of shock at that revelation and another flash of pain hits me from the damned collar.

“Shut up.” My mother hisses at me.

“Do that again and I’ll kill you.” Preston growls.

“Why? Because you’re the only one allowed to hurt her now?” My mother snaps.

I wince, hating the way his eyes react, the guilt that he clearly has and then that mask comes down. My husband becomes the cold, ruthless man I know him to be. The man I need him to be.

The man I both love and fear.

“I said it before, Diana,” He says. “Leave Ruby out of this.”

My mother smiles, taking a step back, pulling me in front of her like a human shield. “You want my daughter so badly? You care for her that much, Preston?”

“I would die for her.” Preston growls.

My mother grins. “You have no idea how true that statement is.”

Preston pulls out his gun, pointing it right at us. For a second I wish he’d do it, that he’d pull the trigger, but I know that will only result in carnage.

“Let my wife go.”

“Not so fast, Civello.” Jace says, stepping out from where he’s been hiding. “She might be your wife now but by sundown she’ll belong to me. I’ll be the one who gets to enjoy that nice little body of hers, despite how you’ve mangled it.”

Preston’s eyes widen, he stares at him in shock. “You?”

“Who do you think has been helping Diana? Ensuring all Levi’s power trickles away, ensuring all those mines he thinks he stole appear worthless.”

“Preston.” I whimper.

His eyes connect with mine. I can see how much fury is residing there. “You made me think she betrayed me.” He snarls. “You made me believe my own wife was passing on secrets…”

Jace lets out a laugh that sends a shiver through my spine. It was him? He’s the reason Preston tortured me?

“Didn’t work though, did it.” Jace says before spitting on the ground at his feet. “Stupid bitch was meant to hate you after that, but all she does is go on about how she wants to be with you.”

Was that really the point? To split us up? To make me turn on him?

I guess on some level it did work, because even now, a part of me still fears me husband.

But I love him too.

I love him more.

I love him enough to sacrifice my life to save his, despite what he’s done to me.

“Give me my wife or I will blow your fucking head off.” Preston growls, moving to take another step, to fall right into the trap they’ve laid for him.

I scream out in warning, forcing my body to move.

As the electricity hits me, I can’t even think straight, but I don’t stop, I let the searing pain tear through my body as I throw myself at Preston.

We land in a heap, in a mass of dirt and leaves. I can feel the way my back has torn open, I can feel the way my blood is trickling down my skin.