“Someone she cares about defended her,” Hunter says softly.
“Yeah.” He relaxes and leans against the rail. “She shouldn’t have to deal with him again, but she may have to. He won’t give up.”
“Except this time, we’ll be between them,” Bane says.
“I’ve been digging into his life.” Hunter moves to the chair against the house and sits. “He has money he tries to hide. I haven’t tracked where it comes from, only that it is there. He has several different accounts.”
“Is he selling houses as a cover?” I ask.
“Perhaps,” Hunter mumbles.
“Haven doesn’t know,” Remy says.
“She admitted that she thought something was going on, but didn’t want to know.” Bane sits beside Hunter.
“I don’t care what he does as long as he doesn’t fuck with her,” I say.
“I’m not confident that it will be that easy,” Hunter says. “He wants something from her. Why would he hold on? She wants nothing to do with him. Haven’s brother is the golden child and has looked up to their father. He’s been abusive. If he didn’t need her for something, he wouldn’t be so controlling.” He runs his hands through his hair. “He broke into her place and came out with nothing. At the time, we didn’t realize Haven’s mom was famous. Her art is worth millions. I looked it up after she admitted it. He wants those paintings.”
“What will he do to get them?” I ask softly.
“I don’t think we want to know,” Hunter sighs.
“How are we going to stop him?” Remy asks.
“I’m going to dig more. I need all the information I can. If I can get some evidence in the right hands, we won’t have to deal with him,” he says.
“It would be easy to kill him,” Bane grumbles.
“I don’t think we can. Haven may hate him, but I doubt she wants him dead. Especially by the men who want to spend forever with her,” Remy says dryly.
“Why now?” I frown. “You said he has plenty of money.”
“Sometimes, it’s never enough,” Hunter says.
“Well, what better place to protect our mate than beside her in bed?” I move to the door. “You know where I’ll be.” I walk into the house and down the hallway. Remy is going to ask about the meeting with Heath, and I don’t want to go through it again. Hunter and Bane can fill him in.
I need to be with Haven.
I take the stairs two at a time. She soothes my animal and my anger. I’m good at avoiding all the bad shit; I’ve been doing it most of my life. Since finding my brothers, I’ve had to face many of my demons, but today I’m at my limit. I would rather forget about the past, yet I know that’s not healthy, and it'll continue to eat at me. Having Haven in our lives, I know I need to confront Frank. I can’t move forward, free, without seeing him.
Haven’s door is open. I step over the threshold and stare. She sleeps wild. She’s lying on her side, halfway on her stomach, her bent knee stretched in front of her. The blankets are tangled at her feet. Her hair is spread over her pillow, and her silky pajamas are raised. I can see her stomach and the tempting curve of her ass. I’ve thought about our time together every minute since it happened. Her scent has burrowed in my soul, and I want to forget about the world and be with no one but her.
I take a step further into the room and raise my shirt. With the next step, I throw it on the floor and continue toward my mate. I ease onto the edge of the bed and take off my shoes. Looking over my shoulder at her, I drop my shoes and roll flat. She’s almost too beautiful. It’s not just her face and form, it’s the light she radiates. Even though she's been raised by a monster, she continues to show kindness. Meeting us, she's handled it with grace and an open heart. Isn’t she worth me doing the same? She deserves mates who have no doubts about their ability to protect and love her.
I’m already falling for her. How could I not? Yet, I have a nagging voice in the back of my head telling me I’m not worthy. Irealize the voice is Frank’s. He made me doubt everything about myself. He made me question my brothers.
I tuck Haven’s hair behind her ear.
I can’t let him take her away from me.
Chapter Twenty-One
Hunter
“You need to get some sleep,” Bane rumbles, squeezing my shoulder.
“I will.” I tilt my head toward him. “I’ll be done soon.” He releases me and walks around the desk.
