Heart Beats (Joker's Sin #3) - Davidson King Page 0,61

came back into the garage about fifteen minutes later and told us we could go in. The place was quiet. Relieved, I unbuckled but as soon as I opened my door, Ledger was there, taking my hand and my bag.

“Don’t give me that look. I’m just steadying you, and carrying your bag is simply a nice thing to do. Last thing you need is to hit your head again.”

I wasn’t going to argue with the fact that he was touching me. I took advantage of it, actually, and leaned on him as we rode the elevator.

“I could get used to leaning on you.”

“I’m so glad I can be of service.” He chuckled as the doors opened and we stepped into his place. Damn, it felt good to be here.

“I really do love your place, Ledger.” I took a few steps and stopped cold when Ledger dropped my bag and grabbed my arm. “What?”

Ledger was looking around, up to the beams, and that was when I realized it…there was no roar when we walked in.

“Where’s Lion?” I asked softly.

“Good question.” He narrowed his eyes and pulled me closer to him.

“Didn’t Gary and Neil say the place was clear?” My gaze darted all over the large space waiting for someone to pop out.

“Yeah, they said all quiet. The only time either of those particular guys had been here, I was already home. Lion didn’t roar. They didn’t know.”

“But they didn’t find anything…Oh God, Ledger. Lion!”

“Shane. Just don’t move, okay…” He reached for his phone and I looked to see he was texting Ciro.

“Should we go back downstairs?”

“Hang on,” Ledger said and sent the text. “You should go tell Gary and Neil something is up.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“Oh, how sweet.” I recognized that voice. Ledger and I both turned and found Charles sitting on a kitchen stool, eating a cupcake. He hadn’t been there a second ago.

“Charles,” I said.

“Shane, I see you lived…pity.”

“I remember you,” Ledger said and started to walk toward the kitchen. “How’d you get in here?”

“I should hope so, Romeo,” Charles joked as if they were long-lost lovers. “As for how I got in…well, with everyone scrambling to get to Shane’s, I am a little bit of a techie. I was able to tap into those cute cameras you have here long enough for me to sneak inside. Not like anyone was guarding this place. It wasn’t hard at all.”

“Ledger,” I whispered, but he waved me away.

“Let Shane go. I’ll stay, I’m who you want, right?”

I wasn’t leaving. There was no way I was going to run and Ledger stay up here with this deranged man.

“I saw your equipment, Ledger. Is that what you have at the club?” Charles got up and went to the refrigerator. As soon as his back was turned, Ledger looked at me and mouthed for me to run, but I shook my head.

“Ledger?” Charles called out. “Why don’t you and your hussy come in here. We can have a drink. Talk about this…situation.”

There was such a look of defeat on Ledger’s face, and I knew he wanted me to go and get away from here, but he had to know I wasn’t leaving him.

We walked to the kitchen together; I could tell he wanted to hold my hand, but there was no question that it would enrage Charles.

“So, that equipment?” Charles only had eyes for Ledger.

“Um…no I upgraded everything at the club. The stuff I use here was what I used to use there.”

“Ah, interesting.”

“Charles?” Ledger said.

“Yes, love.”

“Where’s my bird?”

“Oh, well, he was so loud and not very nice. I actually assumed it was Shane’s bird with how rude it was. He tried to bite me, and I may have hit him a little too hard. He’s sleeping it off in our bedroom.”

Our. He said “our.” And he hurt Lion. “I’ll go look,” I said and started to leave when Charles came around the counter and grabbed me.

“Not a chance. I said the bird was fine.”

“You just love hitting things, don’t you?” I jerked his hand free of me. “No one wants to be in an abusive relationship, Charles. What makes you think Ledger does?”

Charles gasped and his eyes widened. “I’d never hurt a hair on Ledger’s head. I love him and he loves me. You’re poison.”

“Guys.” Ledger came to stand between us. “Let’s not fight. I’ll check on Lion in a little bit. Let’s have that drink.”

Ledger was playing some game, and while I didn’t want any part of it, I decided to go