Page 48 of Rescued Hearts

“That reminds me. I need you to inform the police, but I don’t want them coming over here to question Honor or Felicity tonight. Can you make that happen?”

He snorted. “Can I make that happen? I’m a goddamn Malone. I can make almost anything happen.”

Gray rarely considered the amount of wealth he and his siblings had accumulated in the years since their old man died and they sold the ranch in Texas. Since then, an almost obscene amount of money seemed to build itself around every one of them, the family amassing a fortune that kept growing.

None of them threw around the fact that they had enough money to buy people out if it came down to it. But it reminded Gray the option was there if he needed to tap into it.

“I’ll pull every string I can. Maybe someone else noticed this guy. And I’ll send Colt out with the supplies you need. He can help you set things up.”

“Tomorrow morning will be soon enough. I’m going to spend the night here.”

“Gray, how much do you know about this ex of hers?”

“Not nearly enough. I’m about to go back inside and learn everything about him that I can. Then we can run background checks.”

“Great minds think alike. You’re actually a natural at this, Gray.”

“Yeah, yeah. You can save your sales pitch about the job. I know where to find you if I’m interested.”

Carson huffed out a low sound of amusement. “Gray, one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You sound invested.”

He didn’t need to ask his brother what he meant by that. His heart gave a hard squeeze.

“I am.” And unlike those on the USS Valor Heights, he refused to fail Honor.

“I’ll get started on this.”

He ended the call and went back inside. Honor and Felicity huddled together while he relayed information about thesecurity system he and his brother would set up first thing in the morning.

“Thank you, Gray. We both feel safer with you here.” Felicity touched Honor’s arm. They exchanged a look, then her sister drifted down the short hallway leading to the back of the house.

She was barely out of view when Honor took a rushing step toward Gray…and threw herself into his arms.

Chapter Eleven

Honor’s bedroom was quiet except for the soft hum of the fan and the thump of her own heart. Gray stepped close, so close that she could feel his breath on her skin, warm and inviting.

The air was charged with the night’s tension—fear and adrenaline mixed with something deeper and undeniable between them.

What had he said just the afternoon before claiming her body in his bed? Inevitable.

She curled her bare toes into the hardwood floor and waited for what came next.

Though she didn’t know Gray very well, she knew he wasn’t a man who did anything without thinking. Right now, he seemed to be thinking too much. Her body screamed for his, and he just stood there, watching her intently, testing the hell out of her control.

She looked up at him. Curiosity about what he was thinking mingled with desire inside her, but the building want was starting to make her slip.

She took a step toward him to bridge the gap. At the same moment, he moved too.

Grabbing her. Yanking her flush against his steely body and claiming her mouth in the same motion.

She issued a low cry of pleasure. Before the kiss raged even a little bit out of control, he broke it. Staring down at her face, he sucked in a breath. His chest heaved once, then settled.

Confusion flooded through her.

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