Page 84 of A Heart So Savage

Ava nodded obediently, moving to the other side of the island. Sliding onto one of the bar stools, she watched as he poured her a coffee, preparing it the way she liked it; two creams and two sugars. When he placed the cup in front of her, she took a sip of the doctored brew and sighed in appreciation.

While Kingston prepared the eggs and heated a skillet, Ava drank her coffee.

“Are your guards still here?” she asked, breaking the silence that fell between them while he cooked.

Pulling two plates down from the cabinet, Kingston shook his head. “I released them this morning, although Jack will be here later. One of my other security details caught the man who shot at us yesterday.”

“That’s good to hear. So, he’s in jail now?”

Kingston smiled at Ava’s innocence. “No.” After spooning the scrambled eggs onto their plates, he turned to retrieve the toast once it popped up.

“But you said they caught him. Do we need to go pick him out of a line-up or something?” Her brow knitted with confusion. “I mean, even if we didn’t actually see who was shooting at us.”

“I don’t use the police for things like that, Ava.” Kingston gave her a meaningful stare, setting the plate of eggs and toast down in front of her. “Law enforcement is an unnecessary nuisance in my world.”

Ava picked up her fork, waiting until Kingston sat beside her before taking a bite. “What happened to him? Where is he?”

“He’s waiting for me at The Den.”

Her relief was evident as she chewed her eggs and swallowed. With wide eyes, she said, “I guess you’ll get information on who hired him to do such an awful thing. If it wasn’t Carson pulling those strings, I’ll be shocked. You’ll turn this man over to the police, right? I mean, once you have what you need?”

One of his contacts within the police chief’s office provided the guy’s information based on the partial license plate, but that was the extent of the law’s involvement in this matter. And it was safe to say no one would come looking for him when he went missing.

“No, Ava.” Kingston took a sip of coffee, his tone nonchalant. If Ava knew the horrors waiting for the man who had endangered her life, it would only frighten her. “With this new development, we’ll be heading home today. The jet is waiting on standby for us.”

When Ava’s fork clattered on her plate, it was a reminder of the makeshift weapon she’d stolen. He knew it was still inside the purse she’d left lying on the dresser in the walk-in closet.

He still needed to punish her for that little transgression, as insignificant as it was. Along with a host of other things he’d been keeping tabs on. When the time came that he could administer the appropriate correction, his little lamb wouldn’t be able to sit properly for at least a week.

“You intend to hurt this man?” Ava’s question was soft.

“He isn’t a good guy, Ava, so erase any thought that he doesn’t deserve what’s coming.” Kingston abruptly stood, gathering their plates and cups and loading them into the dishwasher. “This one would just as soon slit your throat and rape you while you lay dying for all your concern about his miserable life. Placing you in danger by shooting at me means he’ll pay dearly for his mistake.”

Ava nodded, but Kingston could see she was still disturbed by what might happen to the man.

What will happen, you mean. I am going to rip him from limb to limb for his role in this. He’s earned every minute of pain I will inflict before I move on to the next man.

“Go get your shower and get ready to leave,” he ordered brusquely, not liking the unease glinting in her eyes. “I’ve got some phone calls to make.”

Ava slid down from the barstool, wrapping the robe tight around herself. “We could stay in the city for a few more days. You don’t need to rush back to The Den just to torture someone.”

“Don’t you understand what is happening, lamb?” Kingston bit out in frustration. “Your enemies, who are nowmyenemies, will be looking for any chink in the armor. Yesterday’s events put everything on a fast track, and there’s no stopping what will happen now. Men will die. Your brother… will die.”

Ava’s chin tilted in that stubborn way he both adored and dreaded. She was about to make things very complicated for them both.

“I don’t want to be there while you torture and kill men just below my feet. I can’t, Kingston. Please don’t ask that of me.” Her gaze turned pleading, and damn if he didn’t feel himself softening. “If you won’t stay here with me, then let me stay behind without you. Just until your… business… is finished. Have your guards watch my every move if you must, but don’t force me to be present while you commit murder.”

“Damnit, Ava. It must be done.”

“I know. And I understand your reasoning. Just don’t make me a part of it. As I was with Malcolm.” A delicate shudder shook her body at the memory of that horror, but her gaze remained steadfast and locked on his. “You can punish me for my disobedience when you come back.”

“I could punish you now and still force you to come with me. All it would take is a set of handcuffs and a gag.” Kingston scowled. His fists clenched into tight balls to keep from grabbing her and giving her a damn good shake. There were a million reasons to justify not letting her out of his sight, but he suspected she would argue each one until his head spun.

“That’s true. You could do that. But would you?” Her head tilted as she watched his internal struggle between pleasing her or bending her to his will.

Was she even aware her eyes were filled with tears, tugging at the heart he swore no longer existed? This tiny slip of a girl was making a liar out of him. Because the hole where his heart once lay was now thumping with confused worry and something else which had become foreign over the years since Rebecca’s death.

Fear for someone else.

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