Page 44 of His Lovebug

I exhaled heavily. “Derek sent his man to check out Royal’s house. Someone broke in, and there’s blood on the floor in the living room.”

“Are they dead?” His voice wobbled, and I held him tighter.

“We don’t know yet.”

He nodded and pressed his lips together. “I want to come with you.”

“No.” I rested a hand over his lips when he went to argue. “Listen to me, Princess. I’m not leaving you permanently here this time. I’m going out to do something that I never want you to see. I need you to stay safe because I love you. Better yet,when I get back, I want to see you on the bed, naked, chest to the mattress and ass in the air ready for me to mount you and breed your pretty hole. Please. Do this for me. When it comes to circumstances that don’t involve death, I will bring you along. This is not one of those times.”

He inhaled sharply. “Yes, Husband.”

“Thank you, Baby Girl.” I kissed him again before I helped him stand. “Stay in the room. Derek will be here in the hotel, too, if you need him.” I nodded toward my boss. “If anything worries you, go straight to him. No one should be able to touch you here, but there are always idiots ready to die.”

Quin hugged my neck and nuzzled my cheek. “I love you, Matt. Come home to me.”

“Always, Lovebug.” I cupped his face and kissed him hard enough to have him moaning against my mouth. He rocked onto the tips of his toes, trying to get closer. I grasped his ass, hauling him so there was no more space between us, and he could feel the outline of my cock against his abs. “Be good, and remember how I want you when I return.”

A flush spread across his cheeks and he chuckled. “Yes, Husband.”

With a sharp slap to his right asscheek, I nodded at Derek and gave Quin a final kiss before I left the bar. I was close to the front door of the Courtesan when it opened and Royal and Jack hobbled in, looking like they’d gone a few rounds with a boxing champion. Royal was leaning on Jack, and I realized his knee was at an odd angle, maybe dislocated. Shit, he’d need medical care.

“Fuck.” I rushed forward and grabbed Royal’s shoulder, and he gave me a shaky smile that was out of character for him. “What happened?”

“Your friend.” Royal stared at me from one eye, the other red and swollen. Jackson matched him, but his bruises were deeppurple from when I’d punched him. “He sent a couple of bruisers to visit us. Didn’t even deem us important enough to get the good mercenaries. They were supposed to beat us up, then take Jack, but I got loose and put a hurt on them. They ran for their fucking lives when I got out my guns.”

“Why didn’t you call us?” I demanded.

Royal snorted. “Because they smashed our phones. The only option I had was to get us here. Besides, I was busy!”

From our left, Landon appeared, his face pinched in concern, but I doubted it was for Royal or Jack. He was only worried about how theylooked—beaten and mangled—in the lobby of his fancy hotel. Warmer than Darcy or not, Landon still had a job to do, which I could appreciate. “Gentlemen, are you?—”

“They’re with us. The third room is for them,” I said.

Landon hummed in acknowledgement. “Shall I call for a doctor?”

“Yes.” I waved at Royal’s banged-up knee. “The best doctor you have. We’ll pay anything.”

He glanced around, smiling kindly at a few patrons who stopped to stare at us. “Very well. It would be best if they go immediately to the room, yes?”

I rolled my eyes. “Jack, take Royal up to his room. I’m sure Landon will call the doctor immediately.”

“Immediately,” Landon confirmed without missing a beat. “Actually, let me get you someone to help you there. We’ll use the elevator.” He spun in his expensive Italian loafers and stalked back toward the reception desk.

“I’m going out. Quin’s here and so is Derek. They’re at the bar. Go in there and let them know you’re here. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Where are you going?” Jack asked, and I didn’t miss the hint of worry in his tone. That was new.

“To finish the problemyoustarted.” I crossed my arms. “He threatened Quin by throwing Tyler’s dead body on his car and shooting it up. And he burned down my home. I’m putting an end to this overzealous asshole. You.” I jabbed a finger against his chest, and he winced. I didn’t miss the way Royal’s shoulders went tight and he frowned, almost protectively. “Go to the room and get Royal looked at. I’ll be back later.”

I left them there, not willing to hear any more from Jack. Despite being concerned for my brother, I was still irritated with all the issues he’d caused. Even after I killed Topher, there were other problems to handle as a result of it—like O’Neill. I hadn’t wanted to get back on the detective’s radar, but here we were.

I texted War as soon as I slipped into the driver’s side of the Hummer.

Colt

Meet you at Derek’s house. We’re going to visit this fucker, Topher.

War

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