Page 77 of Brutal Truths

I take a step back and bump into something solid. The man by the door looms behind me. I turn as I lift my chin, refusing to shrink under his intense stare. “Do you mind?”

He doesn’t speak. Doesn’t move. The dark scowl he gives me is cold and unforgiving.

“Please move.” I press a hand against his chest. “I’d like to leave.”

“Boss asked you to take a seat,” he grunts.

“Your boss can fuck off. I don’t want to take a seat or talk. I didn’t invite him here. Nothing he has to say interests me.” I insert the letter into my back pocket and ready myself. “Move… before I get mad and make you move.”

My words make the prick smile, but he won’t be smiling for long.

He doesn’t move. Not that I expected him to.

“You’re really going to make me do this? You sure?” I sigh, already annoyed.

Before he can react, I drop low and sweep his legs out from under him.

It sends his arse crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

He grunts, his expression snapping from control to pure shock. Then, out of nowhere, he laughs.

Deep. Dark. Shaking his shoulders, like it’s the most entertaining thing he’s seen.

I’m back on my feet, ready to move past him. “Do not underestimate my ability just because I’m a girl. I learned that move from my badass sister, Gabby. And that’s not even the best one I know.”

When I try to step past him, his big hand reaches out and grabs my ankle. “Nice move. Doesn’t mean you’re going anywhere. Not until the boss says.”

I twist, pulling, trying to break free, but his grip doesn’t budge.

So, I scream at the top of my lungs.

I don’t know how they got in. It’s possible they shot their way in. I hope not. But Mr. Doyle is a mob boss. Wouldn’t be out of character. Although I think I’d have heard that, because no way Aiden’s men wouldn’t have shot back.

Which means I’m counting on the alternative. That they snuck in undetected.

I’m hoping my screams will bring the two men Aiden trusted to keep me safe.

Drake is on his feet in seconds. He locks an arm around me as his large hand clamps over my mouth, cutting off my cries for help.

But my plan worked—sort of.

The connecting door flies open, and Grams steps into the room. “Why are you—” Her voice catches. “Oh no. What the hell are you doing here?”

I don’t just stand there and let Drake manhandle me. I do everything I’ve been taught—twisting, kicking, trying to break his grip.

But he’s solid. Controlled. Stronger and smarter than Marvin ever was.

“Hold still!” He grunts deep enough to carry.

Bear’s head appears in the doorway behind my grandmother. The moment he sees Drake, he reacts. Three legs or not, he’s fast. He lunges, teeth sinking into Drake’s forearm, knocking him off balance enough that he’s forced to loosen his grip.

I scramble out of the way as Bear keeps going, doing exactly what he’s been trained to do. He attacks with a ferocity that leaves Drake struggling to protect himself, putting him now on the defensive.

The commotion works. Lane runs in through the connecting door, Pauly and Wylan right behind him. All three men are armed.

Lane immediately points his at Mr. Doyle who was reaching into his suit jacket. “Don’t move. I will shoot you.”

Mr. Doyle lowers his hand and gestures at Bear. “Fine. Then call the dog off.”