Page 75 of A Heart So Savage

“Ava, are you all right?” The doctor gave her a warm embrace before leading her to the couch.

“I’m fine.” Ava picked up a sofa pillow and plucked at its hem, her brow creasing. “But I’m worried Kingston hasn’t come back. He’s been shot. Oh, he says he’s okay but maybe it’s more serious than he thought. Maybe he needs a doctor. He wouldn’t listen to me…”

“I got the impression he would be finishing up his business soon.”

Ava scoffed. “You mean hunting down an unsuspecting, most likely innocent, man who may or may not be homeless?”

Neil smiled. “From what I’ve gathered, the man isn’t innocent. He was paid to leave that note as a warning. Those two bullets were meant to do a job.”

“A warning from who?” Ava asked, cocking her head. “My brother?”

Neil glanced at Blair who still sat perched on the bar stool, watching them intently. “I can’t say anymore, Ava. Kingston will explain it all.”

Ava had the strangest feeling Blair did not trust the doctor. Or maybe the man was just naturally distrustful of everyone apart from Kingston himself. Shifting nervously on the couch, she wondered if Neil was aware of the guard’s faint suspicion.

For the next few hours, Neil kept Ava’s attention with stories of his charity work and the women he helped with Kingston’s financial assistance. She did not realize how late the hour had grown until her eyes drifted shut more than once.

“You’re tired, Ava. You should go on to bed,” Neil said gently.

“No, I’m okay,” she insisted, rubbing her eyes while fighting back a yawn. “I want to be awake when he gets back.”

“But you’re exhausted. Maybe even a bit shellshocked.”

“I’m fine, really.” Stretching her arms over her head, she felt a bit more invigorated. “I’ll make coffee. I’m sure the men would appreciate it.”

“No need, Miss Blue,” Blair said from his stance by the dining room windows. “Just got word the boss has arrived. He’ll be up in about five minutes.”

Ava did not examine too closely the relief that flooded her. The tension she did not even realize was stringing her insides so tight was instantly dispelled.

“See? I told you everything would be fine.” Neil stood up from the couch, stepping over to the bar in one corner of the room. He poured two glasses of scotch and had them ready when Kingston walked through the penthouse’s double doors.

Ava restrained herself from flying into Kingston’s arms. He looked as tired as she felt, but the worry etching his forehead into little furrows eased when he spotted her on the couch. Was it her imagination that a spark of reluctant tenderness lit the blue-black depths of his eyes?

He no longer wore the suit coat from earlier that day, and the white dress shirt bore evidence of his wound. Dried blood saturated the fine cloth, and she could see through the material that a stark white bandage encircled his upper arm.

“Thanks, Neil.” Kingston accepted the glass of scotch and then turned to Blair. “The threat has been neutralized for the moment; however, the team will remain on high alert until I say otherwise. You did an excellent job tonight keeping Miss Blue safe and secure. Thank you for that.”

“Sure thing, boss. I’ll keep two men posted in the vestibule and two in the lobby.” Blair touched his forehead with a two-finger salute and glanced in Ava’s direction. “Miss Blue, it was our pleasure.”

“Thank you, Mister Blair,” Ava replied, giving the man a tremulous smile. She immediately dropped her gaze and nibbled on a fingernail when she saw Kingston’s jaw tighten. Possessiveness rolled off him in waves, but he did not comment on the exchange between his security team’s leader and his captive.

Once the door shut behind Blair, Kingston took a sip of the scotch and directed his attention to Ava. “Why are you still up? It’s nearly midnight.”

“I wasn’t tired,” she fibbed, then ruined it by stifling a yawn. “Besides, Doctor Abbott was kind enough to stay up with me. We were both worried. How is your arm? Are you in pain?”

“I told you there was no need to worry. I’m glad Neil came to sit with you. I didn’t want you to feel alone.” Kingston smiled at the doctor who waved a hand in dismissal of Kingston’s words.

“You know it was no problem, Kingston. If you need me to look at that arm, I can.”

“Just a flesh wound. Nothing serious. Jack put a couple of stitches in it.”

Neil sighed. “Hopefully, he has improved his sewing skills since the last time. It appears the incident has been resolved?”

“For the moment, yes,” Kingston said in a dry tone. “We’ll speak more on it tomorrow. Right now, I’d like to see Ava get settled for bed.”

“Of course.” Neil drained his glass of scotch. “I’ll say goodnight to you both.”

Ava smiled at the older man. “Thank you again for staying with me.”

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