Page 102 of Brutal Ice

Violet stood beside Dawson. Her gaze darted between her brother and Royal.

“I was thrilled when she told me that she’d been cast to do a show here in Savannah. Thought it would be a great chance for us to reconnect. Our mom died a few years ago, and I missed my family.” Dawson lowered the cloth. “Instead, some psycho abducts her. When she comes to stay with me, she’s terrified and screaming in the middle of the night.”

Royal hated her fear.

“And then, the next thing I know, she’s telling me that she’s moving in with some club owner—some guy I have heard is tied to way too much trouble—and now…this.” Dawson’s eyes—a slightly darker gold than Violet’s—flared with fury. “She’s almost killed? I can’t get hold of her, and I’m seeing these news stories and then—then you attack me!” A shake of his head. “I don’t like you, man.”

“The feeling is pretty mutual,” Royal agreed silkily.

“Stop it.” Violet stepped between them. “You attacked him, Royal. But he just apologized to you!”

“His apology should be for you. Not me. You’re the one he left in the closet.”

“I went back!” Dawson cried. “I tried to pry the dang door off! But it wouldn’t budge.” His breath heaved. “I was a kid! Scared as hell, but I swore then that I would never just stand by while my sister was afraid again.” Dawson moved to her side. “But look what I’m doing.” His shoulders slumped. “Twice you’ve been in danger—three times if you count that mess at the theater?—”

Royal did count that as an attack.

“And I haven’t done anything to help you.” An exhale. “I want to help. Come back home with me, Violet. I’ll stay with you. Parker has gotten leave. He’ll be flying in as soon as he can. We can keep you safe.” His right hand fisted the cloth, but his left reached out to curl around Violet’s fingers. “We are your family. You belong with me and Parker.”

We are your family.

A blood family. One raised together. A family that had never abandoned her. She would choose to go with her brother, Royal knew that. He was just trying to figure out how to stop himself from demanding—begging?—that she stay with him.

Don’t leave me. I can be better. I will be better.

Violet’s gaze swept toward him.

Beau was at his side. Kai was trying to be invisible a few feet away and…Violet pulled her hand from Dawson. She walked across the room with slow, graceful steps. A dancer’s steps. She stopped in front of Royal. Tilted back her head. Then reached for Royal’s hand. “I’m exactly where I want to be.”

The drumming of Royal’s heartbeat seemed far too loud. Maybe that drumming had made him misunderstand her. He shook his head.

Pain flashed on her face. “Don’t you want me to be here?”

“You’re the only thing I want.” Flat.

“Good.” He heard the click of her swallow. “Because I’m not leaving you.”

Those words seemed to tear open something inside of him. He hauled her against him. Royal’s mouth took hers. Claiming and consuming and worshipping all at the same time.

“Ahem.” From close by. And followed immediately by a tap on Royal’s shoulder. He wanted to ignore the tap, but he knew he couldn’t.

“Really need to talk about the little matter of a serial killer,” Beau informed him.

Yeah. They did.

Royal eased away from Violet. To be one hundred percent sure, he asked, “You’re choosing me?”

“Always.”

Hell, yes.

He stepped back, but brought her hand to his mouth so he could press a kiss to her knuckles.

“I thought the cops had someone in custody.” Dawson’s voice was tight. “They’re not letting him go, are they? They’ve got the killer? If they let him go after what he’s done to my sister, I will kill him myself.”

Royal laughed softly. “Get in line.”

Dawson paled.

---