Damage Repaired

Chapter 27

Nathaniel's P.O.V

"You did what?" Carter asked, pacing around in the office of my other penthouse I was currently staying at. The disappointment in his voice could be heard from a million miles away, but I was far from sorry for my actions.

I sighed heavily, knocking back the glass of scotch in my hand. "Don't make me repeat myself."

"Nate..." Carter shook his head, struggling to find the right words.

"It had to be done."

"It had to be done?" He repeated in disbelief, halting all movements. "You're keeping her hostage Nate; I told you not to insert yourself into her life, and you—" He pinched the bridge of his nose and continued pacing in silence.

"Someone came after her, Carter," I spoke calmly despite the fact that I was itching to tear the world apart to figure out who was behind this, but I had to deal with my friend first. "I did what I had to do to keep her safe, and she's far from a hostage; I just gave her a new place to stay."

"A place she knows you'll be monitoring, a place where she has no privacy, a place where your presence is everywhere; need I continue?"

I sat back in my chair in silence, knowing he had more to say.

"You're suffocating her, and she's going to resent you for this."

"She already resents me," the truth felt bitter on my tongue. "And I'd rather her hate me from the safety of the penthouse than somewhere I can't protect her."

Carter let out a heavy breath and stood in front of me, a look of sadness flashing across his face. "You know this might've ruined all the chances of you mending your relationship with her."

My jaw tightened. I was more than aware of the consequences my actions would bring, but in the moment, I didn't give a fuck. When Frank called me while he was on his way to get her, it felt like the goddamn world stopped, bringing me back to the dark time when I did lose her, and all I could think about was getting her to safety no matter what. I don't remember the last time I went off on Frank, but he sure got an earful that night, and I'm positive he broke all speed limits to get to her. I instructed him to take her to my place, and it wasn't until I saw Anastazi with my own eyes sleeping peacefully on my couch when my heart finally stopped trying to jump out of my chest. I spent the next hour going through the hotel footage, and that's when I saw fucking Ezra leave while she walked into the building alone, which was when I made the decision to keep her at my penthouse.

"I'm aware," I finally answered Carter.

"Do you know who did it?" He asked.

I stood up, buttoning my suit jacket before taking a gun from my desk and tucking it in the waistband of my pants, making Carter grimace. He despised what I did with a passion. "Someone within the organization. We're starting with Greg." The simple fact that someone who worked for me orchestrated this hit specifically targeting her made my blood fucking boil with rage, and I needed to get my hands dirty now before I snapped. "Take care of her."

"Of course." Carter clapped his hand on my shoulder as I walked out of the office.

On the way down to the parking garage, I pulled my phone out and called Liam. "I want him strung up and stripped; I'll be there in twenty."