2. Bennett
BENNETT
I don’t know why I thought it would be that easy.
As if I could just demand something and she would do it.
I measure her with a look. I’m not sure if she’s aware, but both Knox and I are holding ourselves back.
It’s killing me that she’s just out there when we know her father is planning a retaliation.
“Why?” I ask her.
She lifts her chin. “Because I have my own apartment.”
I shrug as if that’s not a good enough answer. “You can keep your apartment. Hell, I’ll pay the rent for you. And if you decide you want to move back later when it’s safe, you can.”
Lies. It’s all lies. Once I get her under my roof, there is no going back. I won’t be letting her go.
She shakes her head as if she doesn’t understand what I’m saying. She’s trying to figure it out and then squints up at me. “Why?”
I shake my head, confused. “Why what?”
She puts her hands on her hips and acts as if she’s discovered the answer on her own and is going to catch me up to something. “Why do you care where I live? Do you plan on trading me to my father or something? Is that it? Because I’m here to tell you, he won’t try and save me.”
“Fuck,” Knox grunts, and I understand the sentiment. How the fuck does she even think that? This woman that came into my life just months ago has me completely on edge.
I reach for Audrey and put my hands on her shoulders. She tenses under my touch, but I don’t let go. “That won’t happen, Audrey. Nothing and no one is going to hurt you now. You are under Kingston protection. Nothing can get to you.”
She searches my face, and I wait for her to give some kind of sign that she believes me, but she shakes her head.
“No. I don’t think you know Victor Sterling if you believe that.
He is an evil, evil man, and he doesn’t play fair.
He doesn’t care who he hurts or who he kills as long as he gets what he wants. ”
I can’t stand seeing her like this, and obviously Knox can’t either. He takes a step toward us. “We’re going to stop him.”
She looks at Knox and then at me. “Yeah, well, excuse me if I don’t believe you. You won’t be the first or last people that tried.”
I grit my teeth and tighten my hold on her. “We’re taking him down, Audrey.”
She pulls from my hold and steps back. “Well, good luck with that. Tell your goons to quit following me.”
She gets two steps toward the door before I tell her, “That’s not going to happen, sweetheart.”
That seems to piss her off even more. She stomps back toward me and jams a finger in my chest. “Are you loco, Bennett Kingston? My father will kill you and anyone that gets in his way. Even me. You don’t want this.”
I lean down to her level and look her straight in the eye. “I was in it when Victor thought he could upend my family. I’m really in it now that you’re involved. I will kill him, Audrey. If he touches you, nothing will save him.”
Audrey’s mouth drops open.
Knox puts a hand on her back and tries to soothe her. “Audrey, we are just trying to protect you.”
She looks between Knox and me. “So you’re not going to tell your men to quit following me?”
Knox answers first. “No. If you won’t come live with us, then the men stay with you.”
She huffs out a breath. “You’re wasting your money.”
I shrug. She doesn’t get it, but I’d spend my whole fortune to make sure she’s safe.
Audrey came to Kingston territory months ago, and while the rest of my family questioned her allegiance, I knew that she was scared and wanted a different life.
I can give her that. I want her to be happy and free and never have to worry about her father again.
She tosses her blond hair over her shoulder. “Fine. I’m leaving in case you want to let your guys know.”
I chuckle. “Don’t worry, they’re right outside waiting for you.”
She stomps toward the door, and it takes everything in me not to stop her and kiss her like I want to.
Knox calls after her, “Wait up. I’m going to ride with you.”
She stops dead in her tracks and glares at him. “Why?”
He looks at me, and I tell her the truth. “Your father has put a bounty—”
Her eyebrows rise. “On me?”
I give her a look. I’m not sure how to make this easier for her. No one wants to hear that their dad wants them… dead or alive. “Yes,” I answer.
She swears softly and shakes her head as if she can’t believe it.
She looks between us and puts a thumb over her shoulder. “Fine. I’ll be waiting with your goons.”
I decide to try again. “You can stay at our house.”
She shakes her head, looks between the two of us, and then walks out.
As soon as she’s gone, I look at my best friend. Knox is still watching the door where Audrey disappeared, and I already know the answer, but I ask it anyway. “We’re in trouble, right?”
He knows exactly what I’m talking about. “Yes, we are.” Knox pulls his shoulders back. “I want her too.”
I measure him with a glance. The truth is, Knox and I have shared women our whole adult lives. We’ve always been up front about it, never leading any of them on, but Audrey is special, and I think Knox feels it too, but I need to make sure. “She’s different.”
He throws his hand up in the air. “Hell yeah, she is. She’s the one, Bennett. I know she is.”
I nod in agreement. “I know. Somehow we have to convince her that we want what’s best for her and make her see that we’re it for her.”