I picked up the stack, stuck them in my back pocket, and made my way to the door. I’d seen enough.

As soon as the door closed behind me, a door down the hall opened, and a girl of average height with blonde hair stepped out. She was wearing a shirt that didn’t cover much and shorts that were so short she might as well have gone without them. When her head turned toward me, I noticed how young she was. She couldn’t be more than sixteen years old.

“Can I help you find something?” She was frowning as she looked from me to Mian’s door. Her gaze narrowed when it landed on the broken frame. Her attention shot back up to me when I moved.

I sensed a protective streak in her and a thought formed. I donned my friendly face. “Do you know the girl who lives in this apartment?”

“Of course, I do. I’m her best friend.”

“Thenyouare exactly what I’m looking for.”Chapter Twenty-FourHe wields a mother’s love like a weapon… and that makes him evil.

MIANAngel didn’t returnin two days and worry for my son broke me. Lucas and Z weren’t talking, and other than the occasional meals I was forced to make them, I was kept confined.

When Lucas showed up on day three with a black silk kimono that didn’t even look long enough to cover my ass, I lost it. I calmly took it from him, and then pulled at the thin material until I heard it tear. I then threw it to the ground and wiped my feet on it before handing it back to him as calmly as I had taken it.

“Bad move, girl.”

“Where is my son?”

“He’s safe. You should worry about yourself.” He walked away with the kimono, and when the door slammed, I broke down.

That was four days ago.

On day seven, I woke up to Angel leaning a shoulder against the door as he watched me. Angel in control was a panty melting sight to see. Especially, when paired with a three-piece suit. Too bad my pussy had to get in line for a piece of him.

I didn’t think.

I just reacted.

“Where’s my son?” I bawled the lapels of his suit jacket in my fist. I threw my weight into him causing his body to collide with the door. Nothing fazed him as he gripped my waist and swung our bodies until I was pinned against the door. His voice was rough as he spoke.

“You’re forgetting yourself, Mian.”

“I don’t care,” I growled back. “Do what you want to me just give him back!”

“He’s safe.”

“That’s not enough!”

He didn’t react. He simply stared.

“I need to know he’s okay,” I pleaded this time. Fear that he was hiding something seized my emotions. “I need to see him.” His gaze never wavered, and doubt seeped in.

I may never get through to him.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I didn’t let go until I heard him speak.

“Bring the kid,” he ordered. He shoved his phone in his pocket, stood back, and fixed his jacket. When he caught me staring, he pointed toward the bathroom. “Go pull yourself together. Your son doesn’t need to see you like this.”

I didn’t move. I was afraid it could be a trick.

“It was not a request.”

I didn’t hesitate that time. I closed myself in the bathroom and washed the tracks from my face only for new ones to appear. It took me a few extra minutes to pull myself together.

I haven’t seen my son in a week. I would finally get to hold him close and smell his hair.

The unmistakable sound of my baby’s laughter drove me from the bathroom. I stood in the doorway and watched Z interact with my son. He made silly faces at Caylen who ate it up.

Angel’s gaze was fixed on the baby, but his expression was unreadable. I was nervous about what he was thinking. His mercy was likely holding on by a thread.

I held my breath as I closed the distance between Caylen and me. What I really wanted was to take my son and run as fast as I could. “May I hold him?”

Two sets of eyes immediately fell on me. Caylen was a little slower to take notice. With his fist now in his mouth, he finally noticed me and smiled.

He looked healthy and happy as he kicked his feet and made spit bubbles.

They hadn’t hurt him.

I got choked up as I reached out for him.

“Wait,” Angel ordered. “Put this on.” It was the robe Lucas tried to dress me in before. I hesitated, but the retribution in his eyes made me take it and slip it on. The material was soft and fine, and most of all, didn’t leave me so exposed even though I had been right about the length.

Z finally handed him to me, and when my arms closed around him, my heart folded in,and my body threatened to collapse.