Bless The Beauty - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,19

begin to suspect they were wrong. We need to focus our efforts on finding out more about him before we proceed—something that we can use to relate to him and get inside his head.” He started walking toward the door then looked back at us. “Hadley, you and Kellen start researching mental hospitals in the area. Call around and see if any of them have heard of this Chad McKinney.” He nodded toward Chase and Nick. “We’ll start looking back through the files and see if anything stands out that could help Hadley and Kellen along.”

I snorted, so annoyed I could barely breathe. Kellen wouldn’t be interrogating him.

That was my job. I didn’t need him to assist me, nor did he want to help. He was just along for the ride. This was just a chance for him to see me in my element. I suspected he wanted to see what I’d be doing these past years. Part of me was glad he took an interest in who I’d become. The other, wanted his little huffs and smug grins to go away and let me get back to work.

Nick nodded in acknowledgment of the order and then headed out of the door.

Chase started to follow then gave me a sideways glance before looking back at Mike.

“I’ll join you in the meeting room. Gotta make a trip to the pisser first.”

Mike nodded and just as he stepped out of the door, he glanced back to me. “Let me know what you find out.”

“I will,” I replied.

Chase waited a moment until the door closed behind Mike, then met Kellen’s gaze fiercely. “I’m not sure how you want to work this out, but right now, she’s mine.”

Kellen leaned against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. “I didn’t expect otherwise.”

What?

He didn’t expect otherwise? What were they going on about? What had I missed?

Before I could ask, Chase wrapped his hand around my arm and pulled me tightly against his body. He looked down at me and appeared angry, very angry. “Come with me—now.”

Wonderful, what was wrong with him now?

Chapter Five

Chase kept his grip on my arm tight as he strode down the hall on a serious mission.

He seemed intent, focused and very angry. I tried a couple times to ask where we were going, but was only rewarded with a stern look in return.

Instead of continuing with the one-sided conversation, I kept quiet and let him lead me down the hall, shuffling behind him. He finally stopped, looked around.

I followed his gaze, comforted by the fact the hall was quiet. He turned toward the door on our right. Just before he opened it, I caught the words, Janitorial Room.

My confusion slowly and surely melted away. He was finding shelter, privacy. The intense look, the stern set of his eyes—I didn’t recognize it at first because I’d never seen it from him before. I should’ve expected this really with all that had taken place. He was in pure possession mode.

Kellen had me, now Chase needed to stake his claim. Of course he would, it was a male response to his woman being taken by another. His body needed to remind mine that I belonged to him.

Now that I put two-and-two together, my body warmed right down to my very toes as arousal spread through me. My man was on a mission to re-establish his territory, which meant I could anticipate one hell of a ride.

As he tossed me into the room, I couldn’t withhold the smile that blossomed on my face.

Without looking back, he closed the door, locked it then slowly spun around toward me. His mouth curved up ever so slightly as he approached me.

The strong set of his shoulders, the slight cock of his head led me to believe Chase was determining which way to devour me. Those deep blue eyes smoldered as he licked his lips. Oh damn, I was in trouble. But this kind, I’d happily receive.

Only mere inches away, he reached out, grabbed me by the arms and yanked me forward, tight against his body. His mouth captured mine and he immediately consumed me.

His hands moved from my arms up to my face. He held my cheeks in his tight grip as he kissed me deep enough to send a wave of tingles straight to my centre. My hands slid along his biceps and the muscles flexed as I explored each curve that made up his spectacular physique.

Leaving my face, his fingers trailed lightly down my