Page 83 of Silver Sinner

"No—"

"Yes!" Trik yells, then he spins back to Layla. "How does it feel, huh? He lied to you. He pretended to be in real estate when all the while he was the captain of the most powerful Irish mafia family in the city. And look at him now. Look at him!" He surges forward and grabs her face, and while Layla fights against him, she's not strong enough to free herself. He forces her to face me and her wide, panicked eyes lock onto mine.

"Look at the liar. He tricked his way into your home. Brought danger around your doorstep. Around your daughter. And brought you right back to me. How do you feel about him now, huh?"

I can't read her expression. Between the blood, the tears, and her squished cheeks from his grip, I can't tell if she hates me or pities me.

Not that I have time to decipher it, because he drags Layla away a second later, then drops to his knees in front of her.

"Marry me, Layla," Trik demands. "Marry me and we'll make Maddie the perfect little flower girl. You want her to be happy, right? And safe?"

The threat in his words is unmistakable and Layla doesn't have a choice. I've failed her. Despair tears through my chest, a pain unlike anything I've felt before. I love her and I was so fucking naive to think that she was safe from my world, that I could use my power and influence to protect her and that nothing would come of it.

I did this.

I brought her devil right back to her door.

"Yes," Layla croaks and my heart shatters.

32

LAYLA

How is this my reality?

Pierce is mafia.

I sit on the bed of the room Trik shoved me into, toying with the pendant around my neck and gazing out the window at… nothing.

This time yesterday I was excited to cook for Pierce. I was going to tell him how much I cared for him over dinner, was planning what to cook and even what to set aside for Maddie if she was unable to settle. Now I'm staring over an estate in the middle of nowhere with Trik's disgusting presence lingering over me and the man I love chained up in some god-forsaken basement.

And I'm marrying Trik.

What other choice did I have except yes? Without Maddie with me, there's no telling what he would do to her and he's already made it clear she holds more value to him. Doing everything I can to stay near my daughter is instinct but… what about Pierce?

Real estate.

Somehow, the revelation wasn't as shocking as I thought it would be. The confirmation that Pierce is a criminal, a captain of organized crime, was more finalizing than shocking. As if all the hints I'd ignored, all the quiet questions in my mind, and mysterious unanswered things about Pierce are finally breathing a sigh of relief at the truth.

His tattoo was probably the biggest giveaway. Trik, and all the other men I saw at the brothel had tattoos connecting to some family or organization, and it was normal to them. Just like it's normal to Pierce. That and his riches, the way he swept in and rescued Maddie without asking for anything in return, how he had people come to my apartment when I was in danger. He saved me time and time again and I never fully questioned it because he was doting on me. He cared for me. Cared for Maddie.

I think… I think I always knew, and I chose not to look because being loved and protected for the first time in my life was exhilarating. I chased those feelings and ignored Trik, ignored everything for him.

Fuck.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what to think. Every time I close my eyes, I see him hanging there like a cut of beef and my heart aches for him. I want to cut him down, hold him close and apologize for every letting him get mixed up in my fucked-up life. If I'd stayed away, if I hadn't given in to that feeling, then he'd still just be the man who ate at my diner and Trik wouldn't have anything cruel to hold over him.

The door creaks open, disturbing my wandering thoughts. I flinch and glance up, then open my arms as Maddie sprints into the room.

"Mommy!"

"Maddie!" Leaping up, I gather her into my arms and spin around, placing myself between her and the man lingering in the door. "Oh my God, sweetie! I missed you!" Peppering her face with kisses, I carry her to the window and set her down, then cup her face and study her. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"No Mommy," Maddie replies. "I'm not hurt. Look!" It's then I notice the chocolate popsicle clutched in her fist and she thrusts it toward me. "Want some?"

"I'm okay," I say, barely able to look away from her face. "Where were you? What happened?"

Maddie leans into me and sucks on the popsicle. "They made me go to bed and I didn't wanna. I was gonna stay awake but then I fell asleep and when I woke up, this lady brought me food and look!" She pats herself. "A new dress! And a popsicle!"