“If she doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t have to go,” Mason interrupted, giving him a warning look.
The singer clamped down on his bottom lip, but eventually nodded. “Okay.” He tangled his fingers with mine. “Let’s get you to bed.”
“Did you call the police?” Mason asked as Kaz helped me stand.
“No. I didn’t have time, I just ran. And afterwards, I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“I understand. C’mon, let’s get you inside.”
They wrapped their arms around my waist, Mason on one side and Kaz on the other, and led me into the house. Kaz pressed a kiss to my temple. “He won’t get away with this. That fuckface is never going to touch you again.”
They brought me to Kaz’s bed. Mason helped me peel off my damp T-shirt, while Kaz handed me a fresh one of his. I ducked beneath the blanket, inhaling the singer’s calming scent while he watched me from across the room.
“Can I spend the night?” I asked softly, peeking at him from under my sinking eyelids. “I’m so tired.”
“You’re staying with us until we’re sure you’re safe,” Mason said, earning himself an emphatic nod from Kaz.
“Just one night,” I mumbled as darkness engulfed me.
19
KAZ
I thoughtI understood anger in all its forms. I’d spent years with it as my only true companion while I tried to adjust to a lonely life in a new country. I’d survived on its dark energy and nourished myself with the perverse comfort it provided. I used it as a shield against anyone who attempted to hurt me.
But I’d never—ever—felt it completely possess my body and make it move with a singular purpose.
Make that sick fuck pay.
A hand wrapped around my biceps just as I was about to burst through the front door. “Kaz, don’t.”
I spun around, sneering at Mason. “You’re telling me you don’t want to give that creep what he deserves?”
“Of course, I do.” His grip on me tightened. “I want to wipe the floor with him, but Molly needs us here.”
“She’s asleep. It’ll be taken care of before she wakes up.” The image of the handprint on her neck flooded my veins with another wave of fury. “He fucking touched her. Hehurther.”
My throat closed up. I couldn’t deal with the thought of Molly afraid for her life in a place where she should have felt safe. Seeing her on our deck, all hunched over and defeated, reminded me just how small she was. No more than five-four. I was almost a foot taller, always careful with her when we were physical together because I didn’t want to hurt her by accident. Yet this scumbag wanted the exact opposite. He could have killed her.
Mason let go of me and ran both hands through his hair, his face a grimace. “He’ll get what he deserves, but we can’t leave her now.” His voice shook. “We don’t even know where she lives.”
A strangled sound escaped my throat. “Fuck!”
He jerked me into an embrace, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and swiping a palm over my head. I couldn’t remember the last time we fucking hugged each other. It had been years. But now, I leaned into him, knowing he was feeling the same anger and pain.
When we finally broke apart, he swiped a palm over his tired face and waved me into the living room.
“I’m sorry,” he said as soon as we sat down. “About earlier.”
The conversation we had right after Molly left. It seemed as if it had happened days ago, but it had only been a few hours.
“You just can’t stand seeing her with me, can you? Admit it, Mase.”
“This has nothing to do with Molly. Char and I have run our course. That’s all.”
“Liar. If you think I’m going to stand aside while you go after her, you’re about to be sorely disappointed.”
“So are you if you think she sees you as anything more than a convenient fuck.”
