Razor: A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance(59)

Mason



On the floor, barely conscious, I watched through a haze of pain as Andre grabbed Carly and threw her over his shoulder and went out the front door.

I tried to rise to my feet to chase after them, but fell back to the floor, my skull pulsating with stabbing pain.

Fuck.

I stayed on the floor, gritting my teeth, fighting to stay conscious through the wall of pain. After about five minutes, the pain abated enough for me to be able to stand up.

A wave a dizziness hit me as soon as I was on my feet, threatening to send me back to the ground. I grabbed a hold of a nearby seat to steady myself, slowly breathing in and out.

I touched a hand to my scalp to assess the damage and pulled back blood. Andre’s blow had cut the skin, but it didn’t seem to be too deep. Still, I could have a concussion and not know it.

Well if I do, it’s going to have to wait, I thought, wincing at the stabbing pains. My main priority is finding Carly.

Pushing away the pain, I grabbed my mask, stumbled out of the lobby and back outside. I glanced around the building. One way led up the street back to the parade, the other went to a commercial area where there were a couple of hotels.

I knew that they couldn’t have gone to the faire — a big man carrying an unconscious girl over his shoulder would be bound to draw attention, so I made my way toward the hotels, ignoring my pounding skull every step of the way.

As I made it up the street, my blood boiled with rage and I grew more determined with every step.

I didn’t care where or how far Maddy and Andre took Carly, I was going to find her.

And when I did . . . there would be hell to pay.



Carly



“She’s awake now,” said a feminine voice.

My eyes fluttered opened. I looked around the room, rapidly blinking, until my vision became more focused.

I was lying on a large bed in a white room, filled with opulent furniture. It looked like a hotel suite of some kind. Maddy was standing over me, grinning down at me with malice and Andre stood off to the side. I was scared shitless.

But it wasn’t being in a strange room with the two villains that really made me do a double take, it was the vision of Brian standing in the middle of the chamber.

He was dressed in a suit, gazing at me with an expression of disappointment.

“Brian,” I gasped with shock, sitting up in the bed. “What are you doing here?”

Brian didn’t respond immediately and instead seemingly took a moment to gather his thoughts. “I came here to collect my son,” he said when he was done. “And ensure that he answers for his crimes.”

I shook my head in confusion. “What? What are you talking about?”

“Carly, Mason belongs in a jail cell. He’s never really had to suffer any consequences in his life, and it’ll be the best thing for him. The SFPD have a warrant out for him, but they’re not going to actively pursue him. But the FBI on the other hand . . .”

I scowled. “Unbelievable. You talk about crimes, yet you are working with these criminals. You do realize that, don’t you? These people,” I pointed, jabbing a finger at Maddy’s evil face, “Are far worse. Why are you so set on vilifying your son?”

“These two individuals claimed to know your brother and were confident in their ability to track him down, so I paid them to bring him to me so I can convince him to face the consequences of his actions.”

I shook my head. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” Brian was being a hypocrite in his quest to ensure Mason went to jail. “Mason should be rewarded, not punished. He exposed a corrupt politician’s murder.”

Brian ignored my argument. “It’s a shame, Carly. He has manipulated you and you don’t even know it.”

I opened my mouth to reply, but the door to the hotel room burst open and in stalked Mason, his face a mask of rage, blood running down the side of his face.

Oh my God, I thought with horror, knowing that Mason must’ve fought through terrible pain to find me.

Andre moved to cut him off, but Brian gestured sharply. “No. I need to talk to him.”

Andre backed off, but kept a watchful eye as Mason walked into the room. He glanced at me to make sure I was alright and then turned his baleful gaze on his father.

“I knew you hated me,” Mason snarled, “but I didn’t realize you hated me enough to consort with these,” he gestured at Maddy and Andre, “lowlives.”

Maddy placed her hands on her hips, scowling at his insult. “Asshole.”

Both men ignored her and Brian walked over to face his son.

“Let Carly go, Dad,” Mason growled.

Brian made a face. “Let her go? Let her go where? Away with you?” He shook his head. “She can go wherever she wants, just not with you. You aren’t going anywhere. I’ve already alerted the F.B.I. — they will be here shortly.”

“Un-f*cking-believable,” Mason growled. “That you hate me so much that you would have me put in jail and your own stepdaughter put in the middle of this.”

Brian glared. “I didn’t bring her into this, Mason. That’s all your fault. It’s time for you to face up to that — your callous attitude has been a thorn in my side for far too long and I’ll be glad to pluck it out.”