Bully Retribution: Taking Revenge on Her Bully, #3

By Talia Ellison

Someone wants me dead, and Ryker will do everything he can to protect me, even if that means he has to stay away from me.

But maybe I don't want to be protected.

Maybe what I really want is to fight by his side.

Will we defeat our enemy, or will our enemy destroy us?

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The third and final installment in the Taking Revenge on Her Bully series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Talia Ellison
• Release date: Mar 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393414667

Talia Ellison

Talia Ellison is the author of Hold Me, Unfold Me, the Loving Your Enemy series, the Your Love Is Dangerous series, Destroying the Billionaire, The Mafia Proposal series, the My Broken Hitman series, the Her Dark Mafia Heart duet, the Owned by the Mafia Queen series, the Never His duet, the Taking Revenge on Her Bully series, the Varano Mafia series, and Arranged: Cassaro Mafia. She loves to read and write all kinds of romance, and she has a thing for broken, tortured heroes and fierce heroines who aren't afraid to take what they want. When she’s not busy with a book, she likes to watch TV shows and listen to music. Never miss a new release! Sign up for Talia’s newsletter: https://taliaellison.weebly.com/newsletter.html

Book preview

Chapter 1

I PRIED MY HEAVY EYELIDS open and blinked at the strong light above me.

It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust, and then I realized I was lying in a bed in a small, white room. My head throbbed slightly, and my stomach hurt a little.

Judging by the machine that kept beeping and the IV in my arm, I was in a hospital, or, at least someplace like that. It did look slightly different, as if it was a clinic of some kind.

Huh.

Maybe Ryker had taken me to a place where no one would ask too many questions about who I was or what had happened to me.

I’d been shot.

That much I knew.

My mind was still a bit fuzzy, but I remembered being with Ryker, and then seeing the shooter right before something struck me. Ryker had tried to jump in front of me, but he’d been too late.

I had no idea what had happened after that. I vaguely recalled Ryker cradling me in his arms and then carrying me somewhere, but after that, all I could remember was endless darkness until I woke up here.

A jolt surged through me as I pushed myself up.

Maybe I shouldn’t be moving so soon. But where the hell was Ryker? Why wasn’t he in here with me?

I looked around. There was a wooden chair and a small table in the corner, but it didn’t look like anyone had been using them.

Maybe Ryker had had to go somewhere, or maybe he was asleep. Who knew how long I’d been out? It could’ve been hours or days.

I just hoped that he was okay.

As I shifted again, I tried to spot a phone or my things so I could give him a call, or at least check the time, but there wasn’t anything like that in sight.

Shit.

At least my bed was soft enough. As I leaned back against the pillows, I licked my dry and chapped lips.

Where was Ryker? That was the only thing I could think about right now. What if something had happened to him? What if the shooter had gotten him too?

Maybe Ryker was lying in the room next to mine. I took a deep breath, swallowing past the lump in my throat.

No.

He had to be okay.

The shooter had been after me, not after him, and the Scarlet Cobras must’ve seen him. Ryker hadn’t wanted his men to interrupt us or bother us, but I knew they’d been close by.

They must’ve heard something had happened, especially when the shooter had hit that glass on the table first.

After what seemed like a century but was probably only a few minutes, a dark-haired woman dressed in a white coat opened the door.

Ms. Arnau, I’m so glad to see you’re awake, she said, flashing me a wide smile.

Arnau.

It looked like Ryker had given them my new name, Lexi Arnau, rather than the one I’d been born with. Sure, I preferred the one I’d chosen anyway.

I wanted to ask her a question, but I ended up coughing.

I’ll get you something to drink, the woman said, and then she dashed out of the room.

A few moments later, she returned with a plastic cup. I took it and gulped down the refreshing liquid that was inside it.

Who knew that water could taste so damn good?

How are you feeling? she asked.

Okay, I guess. My gaze landed on the name tag on her coat.

Wait, what? I stared at the name of the clinic and the city that was written right under the name. Are we—

She followed my gaze. Yes, you were transferred here four days ago. Do you remember what happened to you?

Um. What the fuck was I doing miles and miles away from my city?

Hell, who had taken me all the way across the country? How?

Did that mean I’d been unconscious for a while?

But hadn’t I had surgery? And could I even tell this woman what had actually happened to me? Or should I pretend I’d forgotten so she wouldn’t bring the cops to me to question me?

It’s all right. You’re safe here with us. Mr. Cavano made sure that you received the best care.

Where is Mr. Cavano? I needed to see Ryker and talk to him.

Maybe he’d whisked us away so that we’d safe. Maybe whoever was after me was dangerous and would try to kill me again if they knew that I’d survived their first attack.

I didn’t even know who it could be, but since I was Ryker’s girlfriend and the owner of an underground pleasure club, I assumed it wasn’t a surprise someone would want me dead.

I’m afraid he’s not here. He’s busy right now, but don’t worry. Everything’s been arranged, and all you have to focus on is your recovery.

Whoa, wait. What do you mean he’s not here? Like, not in this city, at all? I furrowed my brow.

Would Ryker really just leave me here, all alone?

Yes, I believe so. He returned home. The doctor gave me another smile. Your guards are outside. I can bring you your phone if you want.

Yeah, I want my phone. I needed to call Ryker.

The doctor hurried for the door, and I wondered if this place was an actual clinic or just a place for criminals. Or well, for anyone who didn’t want to face the cops.

Ryker might’ve paid for everything and made sure that I’d be taken care of, but how the fuck could he have just left me?

He should be here with me, not somewhere far away. What if he’d gone to war with whomever had attacked me?

What if something happened to him? I chewed on the inside of my cheek. This was so not happening.

Except it was.

It was all fucking real.

The doctor came back with my phone.

Thanks, I said, quickly grabbing it.

After I unlocked it, I immediately dialed Ryker’s number.

I’ll give you some privacy now and check on you later, all right? the doctor said, making her way to the door.

I only nodded as I waited for Ryker to pick up.

But he didn’t.

Fuck!

I tried again.

Was it really possible that he was so busy that he wouldn’t even answer my call? It looked like he was, which only made me worry more.

What the hell was he up to? Hopefully, he wasn’t in danger.

But how the fuck was I going to make sure of that?

Chapter 2

WHAT THE FUCK? IT was the first thing I said to Ryker when he finally answered his phone.

It had taken me, like, a whole bunch of calls. Yeah, he’d texted me a few times to tell me that he was glad I was okay, but that had been all.

If he was afraid that someone might be listening in on our conversations or checking our texts, then he shouldn’t have left me here. I was so tired of being kept in the dark about what was going on.

After the doctor had cleared me, Ryker’s men had taken me to a safe house. It was a really nice two-story house, but without Ryker, I was just bored out of my mind.

My recovery was going just fine, but I wasn’t sure how long I was supposed to be here and what Ryker expected me to do.

Lexi, I’m really sorry. I know you have a lot of questions, but I’m in the middle of something and— Ryker said, his voice apologetic.

No. You can’t just say you’re busy. Not anymore, okay? Tell me what the fuck is going on. Now. Why aren’t you here with me? Why am I so far away from you? And don’t tell me you couldn’t find a safe house anywhere closer.

I could understand that he needed a safe clinic where the doctors could take care of me without alerting the cops or letting dangerous people get to me, but now that I was supposed to be home and rest, I could be anywhere.

It didn’t have to be so far away from him.

It’s not safe for you here. Someone tried to kill you, and they almost succeeded. If that bullet had hit you an inch to the—

Dammit, Ryker. I didn’t have patience for this anymore.

He could’ve called me a billion times, but he hadn’t, and I couldn’t understand why.

What’s really going on? I asked. I know I could’ve died and that I got lucky that the bullet didn’t hit anything vital, but now I’m fine. What are you doing that you can’t even pay me a visit?

It would be too risky for me to do that. Just talking to you right now is dangerous. If someone traces our call, they could come after you. I know it’s difficult for you to stay put. I get that. But please just take things slowly and rest. Once I hunt down the son of a bitch who dared to fire at you, I promise I’ll come for you. But right now, I need you to stay where you are. I need to know you’re safe. Please.

I let out a groan. I want to see you, and I want to be with you. Who says no one will find me here?

I didn’t go with you so that no one would follow us. My men will keep you safe. We’re all constantly checking for threats. No one can get to you. It’s a good thing you’re far enough away, so no one will get any ideas.

Fine. How long is this going to last? Are you any closer to catching that guy? I asked, and pressed my lips into a tight line.

No matter what Ryker said, I still wasn’t happy about this. Maybe I was safe here, but what about him?

Was he going out there and risking his life to track down the shooter? Wouldn’t it be better if he was with me, and his second-in-command, Marcos, could take care of everything?

Why did Ryker have to be the one to do it?

I don’t know. We’re hitting dead ends, but I’m sure we’ll have something soon, he said.

Wait, if you don’t have anything on the guy, then this could take weeks or months! Did they even know who the shooter was or who he worked for?

Oh shit.

Are you saying I might be here for weeks? Without you?

I’m not saying that, but the guy is still out there and we don’t know who he works for. He’s probably an assassin and someone hired him. I won’t rest until I find him and the person who’s paying him. His voice turned cold and deadly.

I know, and I want those guys found too. But can’t your men handle it? I mean, I know you want to take care of him yourself, but why don’t you come here, and when your men locate the guy and figure out everything, then you can go deal with him?

It’s not going to take too long. I promise. We’ll see each other soon. But in the meantime, let my men take you out and see the city. Have some fun. Do all those things that make you happy and that you usually don’t have time to do.

My eyebrows shot up. So you’re going to restlessly hunt down the shooter while I’m supposed to do nothing and enjoy myself? How can I even be calm if I don’t know what’s going on with you? What if something happens to you?

"I’ll text