Page 76 of A Heart So Savage

Once Neil was gone, Kingston sighed heavily and rubbed the back of his neck before tossing back the alcohol remaining in his glass.

“So, you caught the man?” Ava asked in a soft voice.

Kingston nodded, setting the empty tumbler down on the bar. “We did. One of them, anyway. Whoever shot at us got away, but not for long. My men will track him down, no matter who he is or where he goes.”

Ava twisted her hands in her lap. “And the man you caught … is he dead?”

Surprise was evident in Kingston’s features before he answered gruffly, “No. He’s alive. I showed mercy.”

“That must have been difficult for you.” Ava did not take her eyes off him, hoping to see some evidence of humanity within that steely blue gaze of his.

“It was necessary.”

Kingston stalked toward the couch and sank down beside her. His head fell back against the plush leather cushion.

She didn’t mean to, but somehow, Ava found herself curled up against him, her bare feet tucked underneath her body. Kingston’s warmth and the sense of safety she experienced in his presence made her drowsy. She could drop all pretense and fear when he was around her. Lower her guard. Allow this man to watch over her.

When and how the previous feelings of dread and hate began merging into these new emotions was baffling.

“Why was it necessary?” she murmured, breathing in the faded aroma of his cologne. The tea and pine were accentuated by the sharpness of the scotch he’d swallowed. And the tangy iron scent of blood

“Because I used him to return the message. You are mine and I’m keeping you.”

“But who is that message intended for?” She rested her head against his chest as his arm curved around her shoulder.

Kingston was silent for a long time before answering.

“Your brother. And I’m going to have to kill him.” He sounded so weary. So… resolute and extremely deadly. “Along with every man who victimized you with his approval. He also murdered your parents, and It doesn’t sit well with me to close my eyes to that. I want to avenge them for your sake. And perhaps a little of my own.” Letting out a heavy sigh, he pressed a kiss to the top of Ava’s head. “But this is a discussion for the bright light of day. Right now, I want to fall asleep with you wrapped around me. We’ll deal with the ugly truth of things in the morning.”

* * *

Despite being exhausted,Ava lay awake most of the night. Mulling over the information that had been heaped in her lap, she wondered how Kingston would make her brother pay for what he’d done.

His harsh words echoed in her head, reminding her of his brutality. Kingston meant to kill her brother. Or, at least, he would try. But it was also possible Kingston might not survive making an attempt on her brother’s life. Especially when Carson was receiving help from those he’d blackmailed over the years.

How could her brother be responsible for the death of their parents? Had he truly murdered them? It didn’t seem possible. The horror of it was almost too much to bear.

“What’s going round that pretty head of yours, lamb?”

Kingston’s warm, drowsy voice startled Ava. She thought he’d fallen asleep already, but her tossing and turning must have awakened him.

“Nothing,” she murmured as she pressed against his side. “Just a little trouble falling asleep. And I’m worried about your injury. Are you sure it’s okay?”

“You’re a terrible liar.” Kingston stifled a yawn while tightening his good arm around Ava’s waist. “Should I add that infraction to your growing list of punishments? You must know I haven’t forgotten a single one.”

Ava squirmed a little at the mention of punishments. It was strange how something so dreaded could also elevate anticipation. This man was truly doing an excellent job of corrupting her. And where she’d once despised it, she now found herself almost eagerly drowning in his attention.

“I’m sorry for waking you, sir,” she replied in a soft voice, hoping the show of obedience would soothe him back to sleep. “It’s nothing.”

Kingston let out a heavy sigh. “If it were nothing, you’d be asleep instead of thrashing about.” He hesitated again before continuing in a gruff tone, “And I’d rather you say my name.”

Ava tensed, surprised by the unexpected request. “I am following your rules.”

“Well, don’t. Not right now, anyway.” His voice turned even lower and huskier than before. “Are you in pain from the waxing? Is that why you can’t sleep?”

Clenching her legs together at the reminder, she answered truthfully, “No. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

“A nightmare?”

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