Page 86 of Lawless Rivals

“Stay behind me, Keira,” Riley mutters, but there’s a strain in his voice now that wasn’t there before.

As Saint approaches us, there’s no softness in his expression, only a harsh glare covered in shadow that moves over his face the closer he gets.

“Didn’t ya hear me?” he grits. “I said, move away from her.”

Saint keeps coming.

“She’s going home to her father,” Riley announces. “Stand back, or I’ll shoot ya, Tallon.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Saint says.

Behind him, Dane’s Ford pulls up next to Saint’s truck, and his brothers spill out, ready for a fight.

“You’re outnumbered,” Riley replies, not backing down. “We know she’s here now, and Crowley will be sniffing around by sunrise. You’re not as smart as you think.”

Saint raises his chin, keeps his arm locked and his aim strong as his eyes hold mine.

“Keira,” he says. “You know you’re not leaving with this joker, don’t ya?”

“Yeah, I am,” I say, my heart thundering behind my ribs. “I’m a person, Saint. Not your bargaining chip. This whole hostage situation is over.”

His eyes narrow with dangerous clarity, and my stomach drops.

“You’re still standing in my territory, don’t forget,” he says. “Nothing is over until I say so.”

“I’m not asking for your permission,” I fire back. “I’m going home to my family.”

“Like fuck ya are.”

A few of my father’s men move into position around us, their weapons aimed at Saint.

Riley angles himself into me and grabs my arm. “Keep walking.”

“Get your hands off her,” Saint bites out. “You’ve got until the count of three to unhand her, or I’ll shoot ya in the fucking throat.”

Riley laughs. “Kill me, and Crowley will have a field day taking your fingerprints before locking you up for murder. The rest of your family will go down as accessories. You’re fucked. All of you are.”

Saint doesn’t even glance at the men surrounding him.

His focus burns into my face. “This isn’t gonna go the way ya think it will, Harrington.”

“We’re done here,” Riley mutters.

And in the second his hand clamps my wrist again and yanks, Saint moves.

It’s quick enough that I don’t see what happens, only hear the gunshot, then feel a sudden break in pressure as Riley’s grip on my arm falls away. His legs give out and he drops to the concrete.

Shay and Sera appear, their guns aimed at my father’s men, while Dane and Rafe move in next.

Saint looms over the top Riley, who’s nursing a bullet wound in his thigh.

“You tell that bastard ya work for that his daughter belongs to Saint Tallon until he signs the dotted fucking line. And I’ll do whatever the fuck I want with her until then.”

My insides recoil.

Bastard.

He moves closer to me and wraps his hand around my neck. Possession instead of softness.