Page 44 of Now You're Mine

“Rush House isn’t a good idea. That’s the first place James will go.”

I blink up at him. “Didn’t you hire security? Christian said they were ex-Navy SEALs or something.”

I have a hard time believing James could make it past several guys trained in warfare. James is strong, but if the ex-SEALs have weapons, then it’s no contest.

Roman presses his lips together, and I can tell he doesn’t love the idea of going back to Rush House, but he doesn’t want to deny my request, either.

Finally, he nods. “Okay, we’ll go back to Rush House, but if there’s any sign that James is lurking around, we’re out. I won’t risk your safety.”

When we arrive at Rush House, there are several huge guyswith gunsstationed at every exterior door on the ground floor.They watch us closely as we make our way up the long driveway, and park in the back.

Roman gets out first, coming around to open the passenger side door. He offers me his hand, hauling me out of the bucket seat, then ushering me to the back door like I’m an A-list actress trying to avoid the paparazzi.

The bodybuilder standing guard at the backdoor steps aside to let us pass. He dips his head in greeting as we pass by. “Mr. Rush.”

“Any updates?” Roman asks.

“We’re all clear. No sightings have been reported.”

“Thanks,” Roman says. I can practically see the tension leave his shoulders as he pulls me through the back door, then turns and locks it. I follow him through the empty kitchen and down that hall to the living room.

Our footsteps echo in the empty house, and it strikes me how strange it is to have no one here. This place always has people coming and going night and day. Clearly, because of James, they’ve had to keep everyone out, and I get that, but damn it’s weird.

When we step into the living room, Jackson, and Christian are playing pool. They look up as we walk in.

“Where’s Lucas?” Roman asks abruptly.

“Upstairs,” Christian answers. “Probably sleeping. Why, what’s up?” His crystal-blue gaze slides to me. “Aren’t you guys supposed to be at Exeter House?”

Roman tilts his head back, and pushes out harsh breath, likefuck.Then he straightens and nods at Christian. “Text Lucas. Get him down here, we need to talk. Like,now.”

“A’right, man. Chill. I got you.” Christian pulls his phone out of his back pocket and sends off a quick text. A response pings through immediately. “He’s awake. He’s coming down now.”

“What’s going on?” Jackson asks, walking over. His gaze catches on the cut below my collarbone first, then his eyes climb to my face. I can only imagine what I must look like. I cried all the way over here, so I’m sure my cheeks are bright red, and my eyes are puffy. Well, theyfeelpuffy, anyway. I can barely open them.

Roman waves Jackson off. “Let’s wait ‘til Lucas gets here.”

Lucas strides into the room, chewing on a piece of jerky, a question on his handsome face. He glances between Roman and me, confused. “What are you guys doing here? I thought you were staying at Exeter House for the next few days.”

“Yeah, change of plans,” Roman bites out. “Which one of you fucking cunts sent Nathan over with our stuff?”

I swallow and step back because it sounds like Roman is itching for a fight, and Ibrace myself for the inevitability that fists are going to fly. Roman is tense, and itching for a fight.

The guys all stiffen at Roman’s accusatory tone. At that moment—the worstpossibletime—Ash swaggers into the room. He’s got a water bottle in his hand, and he removes the cap to take a swig. “I thought I heard voices,” he says with a mocking smile. “Are we having a meeting?”

Roman goes from tense, to positively murderous in the span of a millisecond. Thank God, Jackson and Lucas are standing between Roman and Ash, who’s standing cluelessly in the doorway.

“Get the fuck out,” Roman says through gritted teeth, barely holding onto the tether of his anger. We’re justonesnarky comment away from absolute mayhem breaking out.

I rush forward, and rest my hand on Ash’s chest, almost trying to push him out of the room, but not quite. “Now isn’t a good time,” I say, begging him with my tone toplease leave. After what just happened with Nathan, Roman is like a powder keg ready to explode. “I’ll explain everything later,” I whisper.

His light-colored brows pinch together in concern as his eyes wander over my face. He’d be blind not to see something is wrong.

“Nah,” he says, shaking his head. Then his gaze shifts to Roman and the guys. “This place is locked down tighter than the fucking Pentagon. I had to show some dude at the door my ID just to get in. And I can see Lux has been crying. What theactualfuck is going on?”

Roman takes an aggressive step forward, reaching out to pull my hand off Ash. “None of this is your fucking business,” he growls. “EspeciallyLux.”

Jackson steps up behind Roman, pointing his finger at Ash. “You should really get the fuck out of here before I—”

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