Page 63 of Entice

His fear permeated her skin. Poor guy was scared to death. “Brady, they committed a crime.”

“I know they did.” His voice was growing stronger. “But this is exactly what they want me to do. I refuse to give into their demands.”

Crystal blew out a breath. She’d look up what she could on her phone while Brady was in the shower. They might not have a choice about calling the police. She took out her cell from her pocket. “I’ll take them. It’s strictly to have them if you change your mind once this is done.”

Brady nodded.

Crystal adjusted her camera settings to show time and date. She quickly took pictures of his injuries and his clothing. “Go ahead and shower. I’ll find you something clean to wear.”

He nodded. Crystal stepped out of the bathroom to allow him some privacy.

Once alone, she quickly brought up state laws about mandatory reporting. She blew out a breath. It was up to Brady if he wanted to report it or not. She walked back into the living room where Sage and Jordan stood toe to toe.

“Don’t you get it, Jordan? They did this to him.”

“I do get it, but I’m not sure how this is going to impact our case, and we need to report it.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck about our case. This is Brady. My Brady.”

“Excuse me,” Crystal kept her voice even. They looked at her. “Sage, do you have something Brady can wear? He’s taking a shower.”

“Crystal, this isn’t wise. We have to get Brady out of here. Or at least call the police.”

“No, we don’t.” Crystal stared at Jordan with her arms crossed over her chest. “Brady has the right not to involve the police. Right now, he needs help. He feels safe here, and his needs come before anything else.”

Sage gave Crystal a little smile. Crystal took it as one of gratitude.

“My bedroom is the door on the right. There’s some of Brady’s things in the dresser, second and third drawers,” Sage said.

“Thank you.” Crystal turned.

“Crystal,” Jordan said. “This won’t look good.”

“I don’t care. Brady and Sage need our help as friends, not as her lawyer and her lawyer’s paralegal. Damn it, Jordan. They’re your friends too.”

“Yes, they are.” He drew his hand through his hair. “I’m not trying to be an ass. I have to consider the legal ramifications.”

Her spine stiffened. “Deal with it,” she said and left. There was no way Crystal wasn’t going to help Brady. Not when she knew what he was going through. She found his clothing and went back into the guest bedroom.

“Brady, I have some clean clothes for you,” she called out.

“Thank you.” His voice was firm.

“Shall I leave them on the bed for you?” The bathroom door opened. Crystal breathed a sigh of relief to see Brady had a towel around his waist. She glanced at his back as he walked, no broken skin, but there would be bruising.

Brady dropped the towel, and Crystal turned her back to him. “How much trouble is Sage going to be in?” he asked. “I don’t want her to get into trouble. She’s mine to protect.”

Crystal was startled by his words. He was a sub, yet, he was acting a bit like a Dom. Interesting. “Depends if anyone else finds out.” She wasn’t going to lie to him. There could be some issues if Brady’s family pursued the fact Brady was here. They could even claim Sage did this to Brady. She wasn’t going to borrow trouble. Brady and Sage were the victims here.

“Jordan is upset with me.”

The rustling of fabric reached her ears. “He’ll get over it.” He was probably angry with her for defying him, but she couldn’t walk away, not from this. “Jordan and Sage are friends, but he is also her lawyer. Men think differently.”

“Yeah we do. Maybe I shouldn’t have come here. I don’t want to get Sage into trouble.” Brady’s voice was filled with concern.

“Why did you come here?” She was pretty sure she knew the answer but wanted to hear it from him.

“Because I’m safe here.” Brady paused. “Sage and I take care of each other. I’m my own man; I have a career and everything. Sage understands that, but she also understands I get tired of making all the decisions all the time. I need someone to take over and let me be me. No concerns or worries.”

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