Page 192 of Heresy

Even now, her legs are shaky as we exit the plane, and I can’t help but admire them. Probably part male satisfaction from knowing I caused that muscle weakness, but also satisfaction that I can plainly see them.

It was one hell of an argument, but I won. And when I tossed the old T-shirt and worn jeans that she usually wears in the trash, I was left breathless and stunned to see Brinley pull on one of the dresses I’d bought her before coming to Georgia.

“You don’t like it,” she’d guessed while trying to cover herself with her arms. I’d snatched both her wrists and pulled her arms to the side so I could take a long look and dedicate to memory just how stunning she is when she stops hiding.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful.”

She’d laughed at that, her eyes disbelieving. “Even more beautiful than your car?”

Nodding, I trapped her eyes with mine. “A thousand times more.”

She’d walked out of that bedroom standing tall and proud. And I’d shot a warning look to the twins and Taylor for the way they looked at her.

Each chuckled to see me finally fallen. A man who’d sworn he’d never commit, warning them with a simple stare that if they touched her, they’d die.

Now I’m following behind her down the stairs, grinning when her hand flies to her butt to keep the wind from tugging her skirt too high. Her modesty is still intact when we reach the ground, her mouth in a frown when she turns to look at me.

“I’ll have to ask Ames how she manages to dress this way without showing the world everything. It’s harder than it looks.”

Stepping up beside her, I grab her hand and press it to my dick. “So am I.”

Laughter bursts from my lips as a deep blush chases over her cheeks, and she rips her hand from my grasp.

“Pervert,” she teases.

Reluctantly, we cross the tarmac to climb into a rental car that was left here by Gabe when they all flew down to meet us. Beauty is still hidden away at the small private airport in Georgia, and when Gabe’s plane returns to bring everyone else home, either Gabe or Mason will drive her back north.

I’d called them while still at Constance’s house, but we’d had little time to make firm plans about every small detail. All we knew is that the five of us needed to get out of Georgia before the cops were called, and that someone needed to grab Ames from our suite since she was left behind when we went after Brinley.

I have no doubt Scott is already at his mother’s house, checking to make sure she’s fine.

Taylor and Ezra take the front seats while Damon, Brinley and I squeeze in the back. Normally, I’d take issue with somebody else driving, but I’m too damn tired to care at the moment.

We’re barely off the ramp onto the interstate when Ezra twists around to look at me. “Where are we going?”

I’d allowed my head to rest against Brinley’s, the scent of her hair seducing me into sleep. All that rage… Every bit of my fury… It’s drained now that I have her with me and she’s safe.

“Hell if I know. To Tanner’s, I guess? He’ll probably want us there as soon as they get back.”

Damon yawns. “That gives us at least five or six hours of shut-eye. I’m passing out right now.”

Ezra glares at his brother. “Probably because you ate an entire plate of cookies and at least half the bacon.”

These two are nothing if not food driven.

Closing his eyes and leaning his head against the door, Damon rubs his stomach. “I almost stole Granny Agnes and brought her home with us. The woman can cook.”

Brinley laughs softly. “I take it that even while held hostage by four strangers, she still minded her manners as hostess and cooked for you all?”

Her comment reminds me that we still need to talk about everything that happened. Although I have more of an idea of how Scott, Everly, Brinley and Luca all know each other, I’m still uncertain about a few details. We’ll need them in order to finally have all the pieces necessary to figure out this puzzle.

“She did,” Damon answers. “I think I fell in love.”

Her hair brushes my face when she turns to look at him.

“She was always such a stickler about hospitality. Agnes taught Everly and me both about manners when we were young. She was as much a grandmother to me as she was to Scott and Everly when she visited from California.”

With a softer, reminiscent voice, she adds, “Especially after my mom died.”

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