Page 30 of Freeing Emily

“You were both told that you cannot be together and yet, you deliberately disobeyed me.” He growls.

He straightens his grey suit jacket and then sits back down. Leaning against the back of the chair, a smile plays on his lips.

Pulling another drag from his cigar, he crosses an ankle across the opposite knee.

“I’ll admit, you both did a fine job keeping what you had a secret. But of course, you, being a stupid fuck, had to go and defile her in the garden. Did you truly think that would go unnoticed?”

I fecking knew that would come back to bite me in the arse.

I clench and unclench my fists on my sides. Though I’m feeling nauseated, I maintain eye contact with him.

“I love Emily and I’m not goin’ to let you take her from me.”

Untamed rage fills his face, and he circles the desk. He storms over to me. Before I have a chance to react, he lands a swift and strong punch to my gut.

With a grunt, I grip my stomach and hunch over.

The hard, cold metal of his pistol is pressed against the back of my head, and he lowers his mouth to my ear.

“Listen and listen wellfíochmhar, you work for me. When I tell you to jump, you don’t ask me how high, you jump. You don’t question me or defy me. I fucking own you.” He seethes.

Blood fills my mouth from how hard I bite down on my tongue. The gun is pressed harder into my head, and I grunt.

“This marriage is happening whether you want it to or not. I won’t hesitate to order Declan to skin you alive if you continue this. You’re a good shot, Liam but your value is easily replaceable.”

I know Conor loves his daughter. I know how gentle he is with her, but I also know he does not make idle threats. He will teach Emily a lesson through me. He’ll break her… because of me.

“Don’t think that I won’t make an example out of you because of Emily. Don’t mistake my love for her as me being soft. Iwillkill you and make her watch if I have to.” His spit lands on the side of my face with each word he growls. “Have I made myself clear?”

I swallow tightly and then nod. He pushes the gun harder into my head before stepping away. I stand upright with my hands at my sides.

“Emily is moving to the penthouse – but I’m sure she’s already told you – you are not to go there underanycircumstances.” He levels me with a glare. “You are going to break her heart. Make her hate you. I don’t give a shit. She is going to marry Ryan and you are going to make sure she has no lingering feelings for you.”

My chest feels like it’s caving in on itself.

How can I do that when she means everything to me?

“And if she refuses?”

“She doesn’t have a choice.”

I stare at Conor. Truly stare at him. He would really force his daughter to marry someone for power? He was always known as the one to put his family above all else.

But this? Why this?

“You’re filth. Nothing but a replaceable pawn in my family’s empire. Even if Ryan wasn’t in the picture, you are not worthy of my daughter.”

There it is.

He’d rather hurt Emily than allow me to be with her.

“The only reason I haven’t already killed you isbecauseof Emily. But mark my words, Liam. You disobey me again and I will make sure your death is slow and painful.”

I stare at the wall, refusing to meet his eyes. His glare burns into me.

My body vibrates with anger, resentment, and grief. What I have is being ripped away from me and I can’t do anything about it.

“Get the fuck out.” He growls.