Chapter 254 Big Joe Savannah “You’ve got some nerve,” Ryan said, his voice low and chilling, “coming in here and thinking you can threaten me.” His hand was still at my throat. I grabbed his wrist instinctively, trying to pry his fingers loose, but he only tightened his grip. Pressure built fast and sharp, cutting off my breath. “Ryan—let go,” I choked. A smile tugged at his mouth. Not amused. Not cruel. Just confident. “Not so tough now, are you?” Something hot and feral snapped inside me. And with my free hand, I swung. The sound of the slap echoed. His head turned slightly with the impact. For a split second, his grip loosened. I sucked in air greedily, staggering back, my lungs burning. My neck throbbed where his fingers had been, already tender, already bruising.“You bastard,” I spat, rubbing my throat. “What is wrong with you?!” Ryan slowly lifted a hand to his cheek, fingertips brushing the spot where I’d struck him. He looked almost… incredulous. As if the idea that I’d dared touch him hadn’t fully registered yet. I straightened, adrenaline coursing through me. “Admit it,” I said, forcing the words out. “You were scared back there.” His eyes darkened. “Reginald doesn’t know about Emily, does he?” I added sweetly. “Neither does Charlotte.” That did it. “Stay out of my affairs, Savannah,” he said coldly. “Your affairs?” Rage surged through me, hot and reckless. “You got Alyssa pregnant and abandoned her and your daughter for years! Then you dare show up after Chloe summoned you and then what did you do? You threatened to take the poor child away from her mother?! You're evil!” His hand shot out, grabbing my arm hard enough to hurt. He leaned in close, breath warm against my ear. “Keep your fucking voice down.” I scoffed despite the fear creeping in. “What—afraid someone might hear?” His grip tightened. “Whatever happened between Alyssa and me is none of your business.” His tone dropped, dangerous now. “And don’t forget that I am not Roman. Push me again, and I won’t hesitate to take you out. You might just sleep and never wake up.” I gasped. Both in shock and pain. “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” The pressure vanished suddenly. A body stepped between us. Alex. He planted himself squarely in front of me, broad shoulders blocking my view of Ryan completely. Reese was there too, pulling me back, his hand firm at my elbow. “Yoo,” Alex said easily, like he’d just walked into a casual disagreement. “Big Joe. What’s going on? What's happening here?” Ryan stiffened. “Don’t call me that.” Alex lifted both hands. “Call you what, big joe?” He tilted his head, feigning confusion. “Don’t. Call. Me. That.” Ryan enunciated each word, his body humming with barely restrained fury as he grabbed Alex by his hoodie. “Okay,” Alex said cheerfully. “Big Joe. Relax.” Ryan’s fist lifted, fast and furious, aimed straight at Alex’s face. Alex wagged a finger between them, almost playful. “Uh-uh. No fighting. You’ll get in trouble for that, big Joe.” Ryan’s fist froze midair. For half a second, I thought he might actually hit Alex anyway—rules be damned, consequences irrelevant. His jaw flexed, teeth grinding so hard I could hear it from where I stood. The veins at his temple stood out, his breathing shallow and sharp, like an animal deciding whether to lunge. Then he turned and slammed his fist into the wall instead. The sound cracked through the hallway—bone against stone, raw and brutal. I flinched instinctively, my hands flying to my stomach. Pain shot through my chest that had nothing to do with fear for myself and everything to do with the life inside me. Ryan hissed through his teeth, flexing his hand once, twice. He didn’t look at it. Didn’t acknowledge the damage. His attention came right back to me. His gaze was cold, focused, deadly. “This isn’t over,” he said quietly. That was worse than shouting. He stepped closer, just enough to make the warning personal. “You don’t know what you’re playing with, Savannah. And you don’t get to use my name like a weapon.” His eyes flicked meaningfully to my stomach. “Especially not now. Do not test me.” My throat tightened. “Stay out of my life,” he continued evenly. “Stay out of my business. And if you care even a little about yourself—or that baby—you’ll forget everything you think you know. Else I'll snap your fucking neck.” He glared at me. “Silly girl.” Alex made a soft tsk sound. “Threats in the hallway, bro? Real classy.” Ryan didn’t rise to it. Instead, he inhaled slowly. Lifted a hand to straighten his glasses. Ran his fingers back through his hair, smoothing it into place with practiced precision. When he looked composed again—perfect shirt, calm expression, respectable man—you’d never know he’d just nearly assaulted a pregnant woman. He didn’t spare me another glance as he turned and walked away. His footsteps echoed long after he was gone. Only then did I realize I was shaking. Not trembling, but shaking. My knees felt weak, my fingers numb. Reese’s hand was suddenly on my arm, grounding, firm. “Easy, Savannah.” He murmured. “Breathe.” I sucked in air like I’d been underwater too long. Alex turned to me, studying my face with something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. “Jesus Christ, Savannah,” he said. “You’re pregnant. It’s your first day in this house. Are you trying to get yourself killed, sweetie?” I opened my mouth to answer. But nothing came out. My heart was still racing, my thoughts tangled and frantic. I could still feel Ryan’s hand on my neck. Still hear the promise in his voice. What was I even thinking? Ryan is as scary as he is calm. Reese exhaled sharply. “You can’t go around provoking people here,” he said, not unkindly, but firm. “Not everyone is as nice as Roman. And definitely not Ryan.” That did it. Fear settled deep in my chest—heavy, suffocating. Not just for me. But for my baby. For the fact that I was standing in a house where men like Ryan walked freely, where violence simmered just beneath the surface, where power meant silence. I shouldn’t be here.