Page 53 of Merciless King

“I’ll get the car.” Matteo rushes ahead of me. I’m grateful that even without details, he knows this is serious.

“Hurry,” Elysse’s terrified voice comes over the phone.

"I'm on my way," I manage to choke out. "I need you to be brave, okay? Stay hidden until I get there. Can you do that for me?"

"Okay… hurry. I'm so scared."

"I know, baby girl. I know. I'm coming as fast as I can. Just hold on, okay? I'm going to make everything alright. I promise." God, I hope I can keep that promise.

“What can I do?” Lana asks.

I’m heading out the door when I call back, “Hold down the fort.”

I drive like a maniac, Matteo white knuckling it in the passenger seat. I screech to a halt and send up a prayer to a God who has probably written me off that Piper is okay. That I’m not too late.

I screech to a stop and am out of the SUV’s door like a flash. I burst through the front door of Piper's house, my heart pounding in my chest. I see Gabriel’s hands around Piper’s neck. She's not moving, not fighting back. Then my heart stops. I’m too late. Too fucking late.

Rage consumes me, a red haze descending over my vision. I cross the room in three strides, grabbing Gabriel by the back of his shirt and hauling him off Piper. He stumbles back, caught off guard by my sudden appearance.

"Get the fuck off her!" I roar, shoving him hard.

He hits the ground but scrambles back to his feet, his face twisted with fury. "She's my wife. I'll do whatever the hell I want with her."

I grab him and manhandle him over to Matteo. "Hold this piece of shit. I need to check on Piper."

Matteo doesn't hesitate, grabbing Gabriel by the arms and wrenching them behind his back.

I turn back to Piper, my heart in my throat. She's slumped on the floor, her eyes closed, her breathing shallow.

I drop to my knees beside her, cupping her face in my hands. "Piper? Baby, can you hear me?" My heart is cracking open. Have I failed her again? "Please, open your eyes. Look at me, sweetheart."

“Are you the one who’s been fucking my wife behind my back?” Gabriel snarls at me.

I don’t look at him. “Matty, kill him if you have to.” Matteo pulls his gun out, holding it to Gabriel’s head. His eyes widen, and I think he’s finally understanding that he’s messed with the wrong woman.

I turn my attention back to Piper. I'm terrified that I'm too late, that Piper's gone. But then her eyelids flutter and she lets out a soft groan. Relief floods through me, so intense it would bring me to my knees if I weren’t already on them.

"That's it, baby." I brush her hair back from her face, holding back the rage that’s growing at the sight of new bruises. "You're okay. I'm here now. I've got you."

I pick her up, carrying her to the couch. She sinks down onto the cushions, her breathing still ragged.

I kneel in front of her, taking her hands in mine. “What do you need? I can call a doctor?—”

“I just need a minute.” Her voice is hoarse.

I nod. “Rest. I’m going to deal with this scumbag."

Piper nods weakly, her eyes drifting closed again. I press a soft kiss to her forehead before standing and turning to face Gabriel.

I stalk toward him. “You think you’re a big man, hitting a woman? You’re pathetic.”

Gabriel’s eyes flash with fury, but he’s smart enough not to say anything. Matteo steps back slightly to give me room.

“You’re a pussy-ass man. Real men don’t have to terrorize women and children to feel important.” I lunge at him, my fist connecting with his jaw with a satisfying crack. He reels back, spitting blood, but I don't give him a chance to recover. I grab him by the front of his shirt, slamming him back against the wall.

Gabriel tries to look defiant but fails. I can smell the fear radiating off him.

"She's my wife. I can do whatever I want with her."