Page 12 of Her Brother's Best Friend

I need her in my arms. Now. I reach down for her hand. As soon as I do, she grabs my arm and pulls herself up until she’s clinging to my chest. The knife falls behind my back, and I step down on the blade. I don’t want any accidents to happen, or my girl to get hurt more than she already is.

“Luke,” she breathes into my chest, and I realize I’ve been holding my breath. I let out a sigh and hold her tighter, and stroke a hand over her hair. Sobs shake her body and absorb into mine until she’s still. She leans away just enough to look up into my face, her skin red and damp and begging for my kiss. So I drop down to her and start with each cheek before I take her mouth with mine and kiss away whatever has her so scared.

When I finally let go, her mouth opens, but snaps shut before any sound comes out.

“What is it, Cass. You can tell me. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

She tries to speak again, but the words won’t form. I run a hand over her face and push away the hairs that have stuck into her tears. “Did Kyle do something?”

She shakes her head from side to side and closes her eyes. Thank God. I’m pissed as hell at her brother for what he’s done to us, but if he laid a finger on her I…

“It’s Joe,” she interrupts my thought.

“Joe,” I repeat, my teeth pressed hard together to hold the curses back. “What did he do to you, baby?”

“He showed up at the apartment. He was there while I was in the shower. When I came out, he was…”

She trails off, and I’m almost glad she does. From what I’ve already heard, my blood is boiling, and I’m ready to take the fucker’s head off.

“Cass,” I cup her face in my hands and tilt it up until she’s staring into my eyes. “Did he hurt you?”

She’s only able to shake her head no before she dissolves into tears again and falls into my chest. I place my hand on the back of her head and hold her again until the sobs soften. I don’t need to hear any more to know I’m kicking this guys ass tonight. I just need her to calm down enough to tell me where he is now.

“He didn’t touch me,” she says in broken words. “He tried, but I wouldn’t let him get me. I kicked him in the nuts and again on the bridge of his foot like you taught me in high school. Then I ran for Kyle’s, but he wasn’t here and…”

I’ve got the rest. The moisture in the air was her attempt to wash it all away. This guy isn’t going to rinse off down a drain. He came for her. In her apartment. In her room.

She’s weak, and I feel the second her knees give, and she falls into my arms. I lift her against my body and soak in knowing she’s safe. And she’s going to stay that way. Her arms are around my neck, and her head tucked just under my shoulder when I walk into Kyle’s bedroom and lay her out on his bed.

She rolls to her side, and I slide a blanket from the foot of the bed over her. “You’re safe now, Cass. Try to get some sleep.”

“I will if you hold me.”

I’m too fired up for sleep, but I can’t leave her feeling vulnerable and afraid. I tuck in behind her, one arm under her head and the other around her curves, just the way she likes, and I whisper to her, reassuring her no one can get to her with me by her side. Several minutes of stroking her hair later, and she falls into quiet, even breathing, and I know she’s out.

Before I leave, I lock the bedroom window, and the front door, before reaching for my cell and punching in Kyle’s number.

We may not see eye to eye on who the right guy for Cass is, but we’re damn consistent on who isn’t.

I hope Joe has friends, I think, kickstarting my bike. He’s going to need them when Kyle and I catch up to him.

6

Cass

“Cass, wake up.”

My body shifts, and I know I’m sleeping, but I can’t push myself out of the fog to wake fully up.

“Cass. Come on. It’s important.”

It’s Kyle’s voice. He better not be playing that trick on me again where he tells me I’m late for school, but it’s Saturday and before dawn. “Go away,” I moan and roll back over.

Something swift and substantial collides with my butt, and my eyes fly open. Kyle’s apartment comes into focus before I turn and find him scowling down at me. I’m not sure how long I slept, but I am sure when I fell asleep, Luke was by my side. God, I hope Kyle didn’t throw him out. “He was only helping me.” The words sputter out of my mouth.

“What?” Kyle demands before he shakes his head. “Nevermind. I need to know where this guy lives. Joe? Did Veronica ever tell you?”

“How do you know about Joe?” I’m up on my elbows, piecing the last few hours together, or at least I’m trying.

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