Page 41 of Nemesis

Once we stepped outside, he plastered me against the concrete wall with one hand, hiding me behind a dumpster as he surveyed the back alley.

He picked up a door stop that was straying outside, next to the restaurant’s back door, and rummaged through the back alley until he pulled out a long metal rod. He then headed straight for a run-down black Ford Explorer that was parked to the side.

I followed behind, watching him with curiosity as he rammed the door stop into the side of the door.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to break into a car. If you let me,” he stated with his back still facing me, continuing his task.

My expression morphed into confusion, my brows pulling into a frown.

He glanced at me over his shoulder. “They might still be after you. I’m not chancing them tracking the car we took here and coming after you again.”

Flinging the door open, he dove into the driver’s seat, ducking his head under the wheel for a beat before the roaring of the car echoed in the empty alley.

I stood there, unmoving. He rolled down his window and looked at me. “Are you coming?” he asked impatiently.

I rounded the car and headed for the passenger’s side. I’d barely secured my seat belt when he slid the gear into first and slammed his foot on the accelerator, the sound of cop cars looming closer.

The car ride was tense once his adrenaline faded away, frustration radiating off his body in waves. He drove erratically, swerving across lines and speeding at least forty miles over the limit. He clearly didn’t care whether or not we got pulled over.

We eventually crossed the security gates of the house and drove up the long driveway. We were barely parked when Theo jumped out of the car, leaving his door wide-open. I scrambled out after him.

He burst through the front, marching into the house, straight into the living room where a few men from the security team were gathered.

“What the fuck happened out there?” he yelled at no one in particular.

“Mr. Alvarez, we still aren’t sure what—” Maddox, another one of Jaxon’s men, started.

Theo turned so quickly, a blur followed his path. Maddox barely had the chance to finish his sentence before Theo had his right forearm against his throat, holding him against the wall.

Leaning threateningly close, he growled, “She could have died.”

I’d never seen Theo this frustrated, thisangry. Not since he’d learned what plagued my nightmares. Theo wasn’t a violent man. Maddox just happened to be in his line of sight. In an attempt to calm him, and knowing he wouldn't hurt me, I walked up to him, putting a hand on his upper arm.

“Mr. Alvarez,” I started, my voice soft. “Theo, look at me. I’m okay. Please let him go.”

His muscles bunched up and he looked back at me. His eyes were angry, but they immediately softened once he realized who it was.

He eased his hold on Maddox’s throat just as Victor charged into the living room, roaring over the commotion, Jaxon and the rest of his men following close behind.

He’s called in everyone.Fuck.

“How did this happen?” Victor barked at the room.

Maddox slumped against the wall, falling to his knees, with a hand to his throat, coughing as he tried to regulate his breathing.

Knowing he hadn’t noticed me standing behind Theo’s large frame, I cleared my throat, pulling my features into a worried expression. “Victor?”

He rushed to my side in his still perfectly pressed three-piece suit and pulled me against his chest, raking his hands over my body, asking me repeatedly if I was okay.

I must be doing a good job of looking panicked.

I pulled away. “I’m okay,mi amor. What’s going on?”

“Sir, I'd like a word,” Theo said to Victor.

“What?” Victorsnapped. When he noticed it was Theo who’d addressed him, he quickly regained his composure and nodded, urging Theo to go on.