CHAPTER 369: CHAPTER 369 ASHTON’S POV: COURTESY’S OFF THE TABLE

I got the alert about Mira’s kidnapping almost instantly.

I always have a team tailing her, but today, since she hadn’t planned on going out, the detail got sloppy. By the time the on-duty agent reached the café, she’d already been drugged and taken.

The moment I got the report, I barked at Dominic, ‘Secure the entire Granger family. Do it now.’

Then I rushed over with Harry to the address from the text.

It was an abandoned building.

We headed up to the rooftop. The second we stepped out, I saw Daniel fumble a knife from his jacket and press it to Mirabelle’s throat, blustering, ‘Don’t move! Don’t come any closer!’

He dared to put a blade to my woman? That meant courtesy was off the table.

I stopped dead and snapped over my shoulder to Harry, ‘Get Clive Granger, Louisa Granger, and Willow Granger under control. Bring them here.’

Harry stiffened. ‘Yes, sir.’

Daniel called out, ‘Mr Laurent, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to do this, but I have no choice! Release Rhys, and I’ll give Mirabelle back. I know your men have him.’

I didn’t reply.

Daniel said, ‘He made a stupid mistake, I know, but Rhys is still my half-brother. I can’t just let you keep him prisoner and torture him.’

I said nothing.

My silence clearly unsettled him. Daniel grew twitchy.

Twenty minutes later, there was movement behind us.

My guards brought Clive, Louisa, and Willow onto the roof. Louisa was unconscious. Willow was sobbing quietly, and Clive was furious but powerless.

When Clive saw me, he roared, ‘If you want to take someone, take me! Don’t touch Louisa. She’s ill.’

I just gave a cold laugh and turned my attention back to Daniel.

He was slumped on the ground, the knife shaking in his hand where he held it near Mirabelle’s throat.

When he saw me staring at him, a flicker of fear crossed his face, but he quickly pulled himself together. He scrambled to his feet and stammered, ‘Mr Laurent, I won’t hurt her. Just let my family go, drop the charges, release Rhys, and I’ll leave Skyline for good. I’ll never bother Mirabelle again.’

Clive snarled, ‘Useless idiot! Can’t even handle something this simple.’

So, Clive was behind this.

Daniel and Rhys were only half-brothers, and Rhys had always despised Daniel for being illegitimate. Why would Daniel go this far—kidnapping Mira—just to free him?

I looked from Clive to Daniel and said, ‘How much did he promise you?’

Daniel flinched but didn’t deny it.

I scanned Mirabelle where she lay. She was still, unharmed, her breathing steady. Just unconscious.

The knot in my chest loosened. Thank Christ I’d made it in time. The thought of losing her... I pushed it away.

Now that I knew she was safe, I could deal with Daniel, who was staring like a trapped animal. The moment he saw Clive, he should have known he’d lost.

Daniel was still trying, ‘Mr Laurent, please, let them go. Louisa just had surgery; she’s not well. And Willow has nothing to do with this.’

I said, ‘What about Clive? Is he innocent too?’

Daniel didn’t have an answer.

‘As for Louisa and Willow... they’re here because of you. If Louisa dies today, that’s on you.’

The woman I loved had been taken. I wasn’t in the mood to worry about the kidnapper’s family.

I took a step forward.

Daniel instantly refocused, lifting the knife from Mira’s throat and pointing it at me. ‘Stay back!’

I gave a subtle hand signal. Harry and two guards rushed Daniel.

‘Don’t come closer!’ he yelled, panicking. He waved the knife and tried to shuffle back, dragging Mira with him.

I used the distraction. Before he could react, I closed the distance in a few quick strides, grabbed his knife hand, and twisted it behind his back.

Daniel cried out as his arm bent the wrong way. The knife clattered to the ground. His face contorted in pain, and then he felt the cold press of a barrel against his temple.

He glanced sideways and saw the black handgun. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead instantly.

My guards swarmed in and pinned him. I holstered my weapon, but Harry kept his gun levelled at Daniel’s head.

I went to Mirabelle, scooped her up, and held her tight against my chest. Finally, I could breathe properly.

Then the anger hit me. The sheer recklessness of her, after everything, still going to meet Daniel alone. She was begging for a lesson.

‘I never meant to hurt her,’ Daniel mumbled, his eyes dazed. ‘I just wanted to save Rhys. Clive made me do it.’ He seemed stunned by how it had all gone wrong.

‘Harry, deal with him.’

‘Yes, boss,’ Harry nodded.

I carried Mirabelle away, barking orders to get a doctor.

A scream ripped through the air behind me—Daniel’s.

I didn’t break stride.