Brutal Boxer by Naomi Porter

6

Casso

My gaze swept across my destroyed bedroom. Her clothes were everywhere, shredded to pieces after I’d lost my mind finding Aspen gone. I’d returned early, sensing something was amiss, and caught Tony in my private office.

When a flash of fear sparked in his eyes, I knew he’d betrayed me. But to what extent? I had my men take Tony to the basement and chain him to a chair while I went to check on my beloved.

Aspen wasn’t anywhere to be found. Most of her possessions had been left behind. Only a suitcase and tote bag were gone.

I went nuts, emptying her drawers and closet onto the bedroom floor. I ripped her clothes apart. Cursing her name in a fit of rage. Swearing on my life I’d find her, punish her and break her over and over until she knew who she belonged to.

ME.

Aspen Crosby belonged to me.

I lifted my tired body out of the chair I’d sat in all night, and splashed water on my face. My men had been torturing Tony to find out where Aspen had gone. The security cameras didn’t show her leaving. Of course, not. Tony had wiped them clean.

I’d kill him once I found my woman.

The elevator door opened to the concrete room. I glanced at my bodyguards, wondering if they could be trusted. If my top man couldn’t be, nobody could.

“What did you find out?” I muttered through clenched teeth.

“She went to Texas to meet him in San Antonio.” Larry had blood on his white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His skin glistened with sweat, a sign Tony had made Larry work extra hard to get that bit of information.

I stepped in front of dear old Tony. “I should slice you into a million pieces. I will. Just not yet.”

Tony’s swollen, bleeding face hung down. He didn’t make a sound. If his bruised chest wasn’t moving as he struggled to breathe, I’d think he was dead. Death was too kind for someone who betrayed me. Aspen would soon beg to be put out of misery.

Maybe I’d grant her wish after she gave birth to my son.

Or not.

If I kept her around, fucking her day after day until she was pregnant a dozen times, I could form an army of sons to carry on my legacy.

Yes, I liked that idea much more than granting her the gift of death. Aspen might appear to be docile but I knew better. Her strength and determination rivaled mine. I always knew she’d try to escape. Biding her time until the perfect opportunity arose.

Stupidly, I’d thought I could trust Tony. Seemed he was easily swayed by Aspen’s charm and manipulation. A mistake I’d never make again.

I grabbed a fist of his hair, pulling his head back to see his mangled face. “You pathetic piece of shit. She gave you false hope. Aspen would never be with a weak man like you.” I spit in his face. “She’d never love you.”

“Or you,” Tony muttered as if using the last of his strength.

I roared, ripping out the hair from his scalp, seething at the truth in his words, relishing his scream.

“I don’t need her to love me,” I lied. “She’s mine. End of story.” I turned on my heel, tossing his clump of hair on the floor. “Prepare him to leave.”

“Yes, boss.”

I will turn San Antonio upside down. Aspen can’t hide from me.

I will find her.

And she will regret the day she broke my heart.