Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(71)

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” a gruff voice snaps, and I whip my head around in time to see Michael Hearst glare at his best friend.

“Don’t start getting sentimental now, Michael,” Christian says. “Unlike your son-in-law, we were going to share.”

Hearst’s nostrils flare. “Remove the knife from my daughter’s neck now, Christian, or I’ll put a fucking bullet in your son’s head and then one in yours.”

They face off for a couple of tense seconds, and then, Christian removes the knife and steps away from Abby. Hearst grabs her elbow, barely keeping her upright, and I want to go to her so badly it almost kills me.

Denton winces in pain, and Hearst stares at him. “What the fuck happened to you?”

“The bitch shot me,” he says, and a surge of pride filters through me.

A flash of pride flares in Hearst’s eyes before he chuckles. It enrages me. His so-called friends were going to rape her, and he’s laughing. I contemplate reaching for my gun, wondering how many of them I could take out before they kill me. But I won’t risk it. Because Abby needs me, and as much as I want to end all these bastards, I dampen my murderous thoughts, because their time will come. “Drew, untie Charlie,” he commands, and Drew moves to Barron’s side.

“We need to have a conversation, gentlemen, about what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to my daughter,” he says to Christian and Denton. He narrows his eyes as he looks at Trent. “I thought I made myself perfectly clear, Trenton. Abby is of-limits to you. Permanently. You had your chance, and you blew it. Focus on your new fiancée.”

His gaze flicks to me, Rick, and Chad. “Your presence here is no longer required. I thought my guards made that perfectly clear when they threw you out on your ass.”

“I will leave when Abby leaves,” I spit, folding my arms and glaring at him.

“You don’t get a say. You’re not her husband. Charlie is.”

Hah. That’s where you’re wrong.

“She’s leaving with me,” Charlie says, hobbling toward us, supported by Drew. He shoots a lethal look at Christian, Trent, and Denton. Denton is bitching and sobbing like a baby, and I wish I could record this moment, because it’s too pathetic to be believed unless you’re seeing it.

“You are in no condition to support Abby right now,” Drew says to Charlie, propping him up higher on his body. “Chad, can you take Charlie, and I’ll take Abby,” he adds. I know he’s doing this to keep Hearst from getting suspicious, but I want to be the one to carry my wife to safety.

But I push my own wants aside, focusing on just getting her out of here. Drew lifts Abby, cradling her to his chest. Her eyes are fully closed, but she’s alert because she grips onto his shirt, nestling in closer to her brother.

“Your behavior tonight was intolerable, Kaiden,” Hearst tells me as I move to go past him. “You need to think about how this reflects on your father. He’s been given a second chance, but he doesn’t get a third. This is your last warning.”

I shove him out of the way before I punch his fucking lights out.

We walk down the hallway in twos, and I’m itching to take my baby in my arms. When we step outside into the main room, it’s been completely cleared. Drew leads the way, bringing us out through a different exit. By the time we make it to the elevator, I’m all out of patience.

“Give her to me,” I demand, opening my arms.

“She isn’t yours anymore,” Charlie says, bent over, his face contorted in pain, his breath oozing out in spurts. He’s in pretty bad shape. Couldn’t have happened to a more worthy recipient. “She’s mine.”

“Go fuck yourself, Charlie.” I pin determined eyes on Drew, ignoring the look he’s giving me. I couldn’t give two shits about the charade right now.

I want to hold my fucking wife.

I need to be the one to take care of her.

Drew sighs. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he murmurs as he carefully deposits Abby in my arms. I fully support her body, holding her up, and she clings to me, emitting a relieved sigh.

The elevator pings, and we step inside. I carry her close, inhaling her smell, thankful to finally have her in my arms.

Charlie glares at me. “This changes nothing.”

“Like I said.” I glare back at him. “Go fuck yourself.”

“Kai,” Abby whispers, and it’s the sweetest sound in the world.

“I’m here, baby.” I inspect her face closely as she blinks her eyes open. Her lower lip trembles, and a sob rips from her mouth. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”

“Don’t leave me,” she begs, clinging tighter to my shirt.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Charlie flinching.

“I’m going nowhere,” I tell her, pinning Charlie with a deadly look. “You’re staying with me.” My look dares him to challenge me. There’s no doubt if he wasn’t hurting he would fight me.

“Kai.” Abby nuzzles into my neck, and I wonder if she’s aware of her surroundings. “I love you.”

Drew grimaces, because the ruse is most definitely up now. Unbridled pain flashes across Charlie’s face before he locks that shit down. I know he loves her, and I also know he tried his best to protect her tonight. I can begrudgingly admit that.