Page 12 of Protected Hearts

Why hadn’t she thought to add several more layers of protection before now? She had to get to the files before William did and add more security.

Sure, this new husband of hers looked strong and capable…but he wasn’t capable of stopping a man like William.

* * * * *

Oaks jerked his head at his oldest brother Carson. Before he took a step toward the rear of the plane, he stole a glance at Shiloh. The top of her blonde head was visible over the black leather seat. She hadn’t moved a muscle or even seemed to blink since takeoff, when she’d clicked her seatbelt in place.

Carson’s fiancée, Layne, got out of her seat and crossed the aisle to slip into the seat beside Shiloh. “You look uncomfortable in that dress. I have clothes with me. Would you like to change?”

Before Oaks heard her response, Carson yanked the curtain shut, cutting off their view of the women. Each step that Oaks took down the aisle reminded him that Shiloh hadn’t gotten an aisle when she was forced to marry him.

The Black Heart Security plane was arranged with a lot of space. After all, the Malone men were all over six feet tall. Even their baby sister Willow stood at five-ten. Those long legs of hers had gotten the notice of enough boys over the years that her brothers were all on edge any time she walked out of the house.

He plopped into a roomy seat, and Carson took one opposite, facing him. The seating was designed for conferences, and right this minute Oaks knew it would be more of an interrogation from big brother and boss.

Carson leaned forward in his seat. “What the hell happened?”

“I was loading the van with boxes and that woman was on the street. When she walked past me, she looked right at me and mouthed for me to help her.”

“Help from what exactly?”

“A man was dragging her away. She was being kidnapped. He took her across the street and shoved her in a car. So I hopped in the van and followed.”

Carson sat back. “With the cops in pursuit.”

He gave a single nod. “I’m pretty sure the cop was going to give me a ticket for being double-parked. And probably doing an illegal U-turn too. It doesn’t matter.”

He scrubbed a finger over his upper lip. “This keeps getting worse and worse. You were gone a long time. Where did you end up?”

“Jersey.” He raked his fingers through his hair, missing his Stetson. The black felt was like an old friend, and the brim perfectly concealed his eyes when he wanted it to. Like now.

“The guy took her to this big house in a suburb.”

“Did you get the license plate?”

“Already ran it through the system while I was driving. It’s a rental.” He flicked his stare to Carson’s. “And it was armored.”

His brother’s dark brow arched at that tidbit of information. “Go on.”

“There was a gate with guards. They spoke Russian.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah. I’m not sure what that woman is involved in, but she asked for my help and—”

“And you played the hero by rescuing her…but she claims you bought her?”

Oaks shifted his shoulders. The jet might be spacious compared to commercial aircraft, but there still wasn’t enough room to contain him.

“The asshole who took her to the house ducked out, but not before he made a deal with the Russian in charge.”

“What kind of deal?” Carson flicked his gaze toward the drawn curtain.

“The marriage kind.”

He gave a slow nod. “That accounts for the dress. But not the part where she said you bought her.”

“My plan had to keep changing. You know how it is.” He met Carson’s gaze. The truth of the things they’d seen and done as Navy SEALs transmitted between them.

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