RUSH (Montgomery Men #1) - C.A. Harms Page 0,68

do whatever it takes to assure you are taken care of. You have me completely, Kinsley, physically and emotionally.”

I held her tightly against me for hours. She was ridged and fearful at first but slowly relaxed as her body gave in to exhaustion. Her soft snoring and her gentle breaths fanning out over my chest helped me keep my cool for the time being. But inside I was a fucking raging bull, and I wanted nothing more than to make this sick fuck Jase pay for everything he’d ever put her through. No man should ever lay a hand a woman, and just knowing Kinsley had endured that kind of violence was torture.

But for now, I would hold her close and give her the security she so desperately needed.

Movement from the doorway caught my attention. I looked up and was met with curious looks from Knoxville and Beckett.

“We’ve got some things to talk about,” Beckett whispered.

“Just give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you in my office,” I assured them.

When the bedroom doorway was empty, I pulled Kinsley against me a little tighter and placed a kiss against her forehead. I didn’t want to leave her. Everything inside of me said I should tell my brothers we would talk another time, but I knew I couldn’t. If I wanted this shit to end, I had to work with them to make that happen.

My girl was so worn out she barely stirred when I slipped my arm from beneath her body. She also didn’t notice when I got up and placed the blanket over her. I took a few more minutes to look at her beautiful form tucked in securely before I turned away and left the room.

My brothers were waiting when I entered my office, both looking serious. “Just tell me, because from the looks on your faces I already know it’s ugly.”

“‘Ugly’ doesn’t even begin to explain it, brother,” Knox said. “This guy is dirty. Real fucking dirty.”

“How dirty?” I asked.

“Drugs, extortion,” Beckett began, “hell, he’s even been suspected of rape.”

My stomach tightened as they continued to tell me what kind of man Kinsley had been trapped in the clutches of.

“And as if all that isn’t bad enough, he’s been accused of being an accessory to murder too.” Knoxville tossed a file on the desk. “It’s all in there.”

Even though I wanted to grab for it, I couldn’t. I felt as if I’d be touching something toxic. “How the hell has this sick fuck gotten away with all this?” I asked. “How is he still free?”

“He and Daddy seem to have ninety percent of Miami on their payroll, and their reach doesn’t stop there.” I looked up from the file at Beckett. “But in light of all this shit, there are still a few good, trustworthy men out there.”

“What do you mean?” I said, finally feeling hopeful.

“I’ve got a few connections myself. And I can assure you that Mr. Hellman and his father are not in the clear,” Knoxville said. “But, Ash, you gotta know that your girl isn’t off their radar.”

“What do you mean?” My anger from earlier flared up again.

“He hasn’t given up on finding her,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “He’s got men on his dime out daily searching for her. He isn’t the kind of man who likes to lose, and to him, Kinsley is just something to be conquered and won.”

KINSLEY

WHEN I WOKE, IT WAS dark outside the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the east side of the bedroom, and I was alone. Immediately I felt empty. I’d fallen asleep in Ashton’s arms as he held me close and whispered over and over that he loved and would keep me safe, giving me the security I needed.

I never said I loved him too.

Even though I wanted to shout it, I couldn’t form the words.

But in that moment I knew I needed to tell him. I wanted him to know that what he’d given me, and continued to give me after everything we’d been through, meant more than I could ever express.

I got out of bed and quietly walked toward the hallway in search of Ashton. As I approached the great room, I could hear the soothing, soft sounds of a relaxing melody. The voice of the woman singing was alluring, yet sad. The room was dark, which allowed me to hide in the shadows of the hallway as I took in the scene before me. Ashton stood in front of the