She’d told the entire story to him and his deputies, and every word she’d spoken had both terrified him and made him proud as hell. She’d fought, and she’d fought hard.
He cupped her cheek, letting her warmth slip into his skin. “I just need to lock up the house.”
“Don’t be gone long.”
“Never.” He leaned down and kissed her, his lips lingering, needing to feel her against him.
He eventually forced himself to rise even though the motion went against every one of his instincts, which told him to stay as close to her as possible.
Her eyes shut the second he stood.
After locking the front door, he moved around the house, checking every window and door. He was just returning to the bedroom when his phone rang, Becket’s name on the screen. He’d already updated his brother on everything through text but hadn’t actually spoken to him yet.
“Becket.”
“I’m so fucking sorry, Jesse. I should have been there.”
“It’s not your fault. You had work, and Dylan would have found a way around us regardless, I’m sure of it.”
“So he’s really dead?”
“He’s really dead. The bullet to the skull made sure of that.” He stood by the bedroom doorway, watching Aspen as he spoke with a lowered voice. “But this isn’t over. Someone in that building drugged her. And that same someone took her to Dylan. I don’t know who, but wewillfind them.”
“Of course we will. Keep her close, brother, and let me know what I can do. Until then, rest.”
He wasn’t going to rest. Not after the day they’d had. He’d be lucky to get an hour of sleep. “Thanks.”
He hung up and entered the room. After stripping off his clothes and turning off the lights, he slid between the sheets. Before he even had a chance to reach for her, she rolled and snuggled her head over his heart, like she knew exactly where he was even while asleep.
He wrapped his arm around her but didn’t close his eyes. Who had helped Dylan tonight? It had been someone in that teahouse. Someone who’d probably walked past him and he hadn’t even given them a second look.
It would torment him until he had an answer.
CHAPTER 33
Jesse watched the rise and fall of Aspen’s chest. Felt the warmth of her breath against his skin.
It was early. He should still be sleeping, particularly after how long it had taken him to finally drift off last night.
But he wasn’t. Because every time he closed his eyes, he saw the same thing. Aspen beneath Dylan on the floor. The gun in Dylan’s fingers. And even when he managed to shove that memory aside, just for a second, the same thought hit him in the chest—it wasn’t over.
His arm tightened around her waist.
Itshouldbe over. It wassupposedto be over. Kill Dylan and the danger dies with him, then they could finally start their lives together.
But that’s not how it had played out.
He traced the bruise on her cheek with his gaze, feeling the rage rise in his chest all over again.
The ringing of his phone pulled him out of his thoughts. He reached for it, noticing it was his mother. The ringing didn’t even stir Aspen. God, she must have been exhausted.
Even though he didn’t want to, he slipped out from under her. After pulling on some pants, he waited until he was in the living room before answering.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Honey, I’m sorry to call so early, but I was just speaking to Clara. Becket told her that Aspen waskidnappedlast night?”
Nothing stayed quiet in his family for long. “It’s true. But she’s here and she’s safe.”
