Page 22 of A Heart So Savage

Kingston squeezed her hard against his side, ignoring her inaudible squeak of alarm. Turning his head, he brushed a mockingly affectionate kiss against her temple and whispered, “I’m going to blister your ass for this, Ava.”

Ava plastered a serene mask on her face, ignoring the threat. “Is there some sort of problem?”

“This is Officer Holt with the Langston County Sheriff’s office.” Kingston introduced the man with a wry smile.

Officer Holt nodded. “We’re actually checking on your welfare, ma’am. That is, if you are Ava Bella Blue.”

Ava’s eyebrow lifted. “My welfare?”

Aaron pushed past Officer Holt. “Your brother is very concerned, Miss Blue. You’ve been missing for more than a month with sporadic and deliberately vague texts to explain your absence. We suspect you aren’t the author of those texts. Your boyfriend, Drake Cornerstone, is convinced that the one he received was not sent by you.”

Kingston stiffened at the mention of Drake.

“Mister Cornerstone is not my boyfriend.” Ava bristled. “Anyway, is it illegal to get away from everything? People do it all the time.” Her grip tightened around Kingston’s waist. “As you can see, Detective Redding, I’m alive and well.”

Aaron’s smile was cruel. “So, you remember me. Carson and I were never that close in college, but we recently reconnected our friendship along with your boyfriend. Drake’s a fine attorney. DA’s office is pretty impressed by him. He is as worried for you as your brother.”

“Perhaps you didn’t hear me the first time. Drake and I dated briefly. It went no further than that.” Ava’s tone turned icier. “I’m sure my brother needs many allies within the justice system. People who can be bought for a price and bribed.”

Aaron’s face hardened at the insult. “All pleasantries aside, Miss Blue, if you’ll come with me back to the Bitter Springs police station, I’m sure we can straighten all of this out.”

Kingston’s men, lounging along the foyer’s periphery, all shifted into a stance of readiness. A hint of violence and impending bloodshed permeated the air. Each man was ready for the cue to defend their boss’s property.

Paulie’s gaze shot to Jack where he stood at the top of the staircase. The two men communicated in silence, and Kingston’s shoulders relaxed, knowing the situation was well under control.

Ava shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m here because I want to be here. There’s no need to explain myself, but Kingston and I reconnected during a chance encounter in Savannah. He invited me here as his guest and, as you can see, I’m in no danger.”

“Thefuckyou are, lamb,” Kingston muttered under his breath, adjusting her body so they now faced one another. To anyone watching, it appeared as though they could not stop touching one another. He rubbed his nose alongside hers in an affectionate gesture while whispering, “I can smell myself on you, Ava. The mix of our cum and your blood. Once these men are gone, you’ll bleed for me again in a different way.” His hand traveled down until it rested on the curve of one ass cheek. He pressed her against his hardening cock.

Ava shuddered but still, the little brat rose up on tiptoes, brushing her mouth across his in a teasing manner. “Better that you hurt me rather than whoever pays my brother the highest bid.”

“Should I give them evidence of how I’ve already ruined you?” Kingston murmured. “We’ll settle this bullshit right now.”

He was talking about both the handkerchief smeared with evidence of their previous encounter, as well as her ruined panties shredded by his hands and her own teeth.

“Please don’t.” Her eyes shimmered with sudden tears, understanding the motive behind his threat. “I’m trying to make them leave.”

“Work harder at making them believe you’re here willingly, lamb. Before I kill them both.” There was little doubt he would commit murder to keep his prize. If provoked, he’d slaughter anyone her brother sent to collect her.

Aaron cleared his throat in an obvious attempt at getting Ava’s attention.

Ava gave the detective a distracted look as Kingston tightened his arms around her waist. Fuck, both men were practically salivating at the sight of her disheveled perfection. Possessive rage vibrated through Kingston’s veins when he witnessed Aaron’s gaze fixate on Ava’s ass. The man was actually licking his lips.

Ava’s laugh sounded only a little forced. “Mister Redding, I’ve no intention of going anywhere. Please pass that along to my brother. He’s never worried about me in the past. No need to start now.”

Aaron’s gaze dragged up Ava’s body. “He wants to see you in person. Make sure you are okay. I mean, some damage has been done, that much is clear, but it’s nothing that can’t be worked out.”

Kingston tensed, a low growl escaping him, but Ava’s head tilted at Aaron’s assessment.

“Being Carson’s friend, you probably have a good idea of just howdamagedI am,” she replied softly. “Regardless, would you arrest me for taking a vacation?”

“Of course not, Miss Blue,” Officer Holt interjected, glancing at Aaron in confusion. “She’s here of her own choice, Detective. We can’t force her to come with us. And obviously, Mister Winter is not restraining her in any way.”

“Not yet, anyway,” Kingston hissed in dire warning, his breath stirring the hair on Ava’s temple.

She trembled but did not pull away from his embrace. Instead, with a steadying breath, she laid her head against his broad chest as if she wouldn’t dream of ever leaving him. Smiling at Officer Holt and Aaron, her fingers found the open vee of Kingston’s shirt and curled against his skin. “You’d have to force me to go. Which would certainly violate my rights, don’t you think, Officer Holt?”

Kingston fought the urge to lay this woman out on the cold marble floor of his foyer, spread her legs wide, and fuck her until everyone understood she was his.

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