The Hart Brothers Series Box Set (Including the bonus book Sabin: A Seven Novel): Freeing Her, Freeing Him, Kestrel, The Fall and Rise of Kade Hart, Sabin: A Seven Novel

by A. M. Hargrove

  I feel better knowing that Kade is in good hands, but also that they think his ramblings about Kolson are just that … ramblings.

  Huff drives me to the airport and so many things crowd my mind as the plane carries me back to Philly. I pray that everything goes as planned.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Kolson

  Where is Gabriella? I stop by the studio and she isn’t here. She isn’t at the penthouse, either. I wait up for her all night and she never shows. This morning I go to Case’s and he says he hasn’t spoken to her, but I can tell he isn’t telling the truth. He knows something and isn’t being honest with me. His eyes tell it all.

  Sam acts like he knows nothing. He, at least, is telling the truth.

  What is going on? She’d better be all right or I’m going after Langston. I’ll give it one more day and if she doesn’t show by tonight, that’s it. I go to Langston.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Gabriella

  My arms are loaded down as I carry my messenger bag and a valise, plus my handbag. I fumble with my keys, stabbing one into the studio door lock. I don’t get the chance. The door swings open and a hand reaches out, jerks me inside, and I’m backed against the door and brutally kissed. A hungry mouth devours me, taking, possessing, until there is nothing untouched.

  When Kolson releases me, we’re both lightheaded, air deprived, but wanting more. My hands pull him back to me and my mouth is the one that savages his this time. There is nothing like kissing Kolson Hart. He makes me forget there’s a world out there, a dangerous world, where both of us could get killed. He makes me forget my damn name. Mindless desire roars through me and all I want is more. But I’m not going to get it. At least not at this moment.

  He breaks us apart and says, “Where the fuck were you? I stayed up all last night waiting. I went to the penthouse. This morning Case said he didn’t know where you were. What the fuck, Gabby?”

  He’s angry, worried. How do I know? He never calls me Gabby.

  “I went to Denver. Kade has checked into a rehab facility and I wanted to make sure it all went okay. He went on a private charter but I went on a commercial flight.”

  “What? Why the fuck did you do that?”

  “Calm down. Right now, Kolson. I’m not a moron. It was a well-thought-out plan.”

  His hands tear through his hair as his eyes pin mine. It’s difficult for this man to give up control.

  “You’re right. I apologize.”

  “Accepted. I went on a separate flight because I’m always followed. I took the helo to Philly where I jumped on a commercial flight. Kade doesn’t even know I was there. The doctor said he’s been rambling on about you. I made sure he knows it’s just rambling. That was why I went too.”

  “I’m sorry. Why didn’t Case say anything?”

  Oh boy, did I hate lying. I hope he doesn’t see through me.

  “He didn’t know I went to Mountain Air.”

  “Oh.”

  “I figured the fewer people in on it, the better.”

  Kolson starts pacing. “Jesus. Jesus.”

  “What?”

  He stops and swiftly walks to me and grabs my shoulders. “Please don’t leave like that again. I almost went to the dragon’s lair and accused him of kidnapping you.”

  “Oh, fuck.” My heart sinks to my toes. That thought truly never crossed my mind—that he would do something so drastic. I reach for his face. “Thank God you didn’t.”

  Then he crushes me to his chest, painfully, and I feel his heart ramming against mine. We’re two messes gripping the death out of each other.

  I finally say, “I don’t know about you, but I could sure use a good fucking right now.”

  He chuckles. Then we’re laughing together. It’s one of those times where anxiety makes us laugh instead of cry, I suppose.

  “Kea, do me a favor, will you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Don’t ever leave like that again. If you have to go somewhere, leave me a note or something. A text. Anything. Just to let me know you’re not gonna be here.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. That was inconsiderate of me. But I’ll make it up to you if you take my clothes off.”

  He shakes his head and I slip my hand down the front of his jeans. As I expect, he’s rigid. The blouse I’m wearing doesn’t stand a chance. Buttons fly as he spreads his hands apart.

  “I love this blouse.”

  “You’re a wealthy woman. Buy another one. Buy twenty. I don’t give a fuck.”

  He unpins my hair.

  “I like my hair up.”

  “I don’t. I like it hanging all over me when we fuck.”

  Next go the jeans. I’m always curious about how he does this. He’s capable of ripping a pair of jeans to shreds.

  The button flies across the room and the zipper is now worthless.

  “Hey! Those jeans were expensive,” I say.

  “So? They were in the way.”

  And damn if I didn’t have on my favorite La Perla panties. The white satin thong with the elegant satin bows running down the front.

  I’m surprised he doesn’t shred these. Oh, but wait. He drops to his knees and his teeth start untying each of the little hand-sewn bows. Yep, he shreds these too.

  “I loved these panties.”

  With his mouth around the satin covering my pussy, he says in a muffled voice, “Oh, I do too, kea, I do too.”

  His tongue travels under the elastic near my leg, and his teeth tear through what was left of the delicate material. Poof, they’re gone and I am too.

  Kissing Kolson’s mouth is one thing. But Kolson’s mouth between my thighs … he’s a mind reader and knows how to please this woman. His tongue must’ve been dipped in fairy dust at some point in his life because it can work magic like nothing I’ve known. He tunnels into me, swirls around my nub, but I love when he sucks on that tiny thing and uses his tongue at the same time. A long, knowing finger enters me and is soon joined by another as his mouth keeps working wonders on my clit. He has me pulling his hair so hard, I’m surprised he’s not moaning as loud as I am. But, oh God, he’s sending me into my Eden of an orgasm. And even before I stop, his cock pushes into me as he wraps my legs around his waist and walks us to the bed.

  He lays me down gently and closes his eyes.

  “Kolson. Look at me.”

  When he does, everything I see makes my heart jitter. He’s frightened, but is it because of me not being here last night or is it because of Langston and what’s happening?

  He strokes my cheek as his brows furrow.

  “I’ve loved you for my whole life. I’ve been waiting for you, Gabriella, ever since Langston threw me into the dark. I’ve only figured it out. And now I’m afraid something will happen to you.”

  “Sshh. Make love to me. And while we’re together, let’s not think about what’s out there.”

  He slowly inches into me, then reverses his motion. My hand grabs his ass and I smooth it across the hollow, the place on the side that indents when he flexes.

  “Have I told you how gorgeous you are, even with your dark hair and beard?” I say.

  He rests his mouth on mine and we stay like that as he makes love to me. Then he pulls me up and seats me in his lap.

  “I love every position with you, but this is my favorite, you wrapped around me in my lap. I want us to come together, kea.” His hand sweeps across my breasts, lingering on my nipples, teasing them.

  It’s hard for me to only look at him. My hands are all over his torso, touching, squeezing, massaging.

  His cock slides in and out. What I thought would be a rough, fast ride, isn’t. He takes it slow. So slow. Like he’s memorizing everything about it. He watches me intently, focusing on me, never shutting himself off, barely blinking.

  “You’re so damn tight. And wet. Always wet for me, kea. I dream about you when I’m not here. At night. I wake up, thinking I’m fucking you, and when I find I’m not, I can’t fall bac
k to sleep because all I want is you. I want to be deep inside you. Buried like I am right now. Touching you so far inside that I make you moan. Like you are now. The sounds, the little sighs and groans you let seep out of your mouth are the sexiest damn things I’ve ever heard. Have I ever told you that?”

  His voice rasps as his breath huffs in and out. It spurs me on.

  “I’m close, so close,” I warn him.

  “Just a little longer,” he says. “Make it last.”

  My fingers flick his nipple ring and he hisses.

  “Oh, fuck, fuck, fuuuuck, I’m coming.”

  I let myself go too. But watching him is almost as intense as climaxing. His teeth capture his lower lip and bite down as he growls. He doesn’t close his eyes, but stares at me. His neck is corded as he strains, along with his abs and his arms as they hold me. I feel his heat inside of me, his cock pulsating. And I contract in turn.

  He falls to the side and we’re still joined, though he leans over enough for me to pull my leg free. He tugs a chunk of my hair and brings it to his face.

  “I love your hair, but you already knew that. I would wrap myself in it every day if I could.”

  My thumb plays with his lips.

  “Kolson?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I want you to give up your mission against Langston.”

  He’s no longer languid and lazy, but alert as he focuses on me.

  “Why?”

  “The obvious. Your safety.”

  “But what about us?”

  “We’ll move away from here.”

  “He’d find us.”

  “In Switzerland?”

  “Yes! He’d find us anywhere.”

  I prop myself on my elbow and lean my head on my hand. “How?”

  “You underestimate his reach.”

  “I guess I do.”

  Kolson mimics my position. “You have to understand. There isn’t anywhere safe from him. Oh, maybe on some remote island. But he’d find us eventually. No, we need to stick to the plan.”

  “What would happen if he found you?” I have to ask. I need to know the answer to this.

  “I can think of a few things he’d do. But he wants HTS. It’s a power trip for him. He hates that I’ve become this successful in spite of everything, so he wants the company signed over to him. That would be his ultimate goal, hence the debt repayment. And since I’m obviously attached to you, he wants you too. He wants to destroy everything I have. And now, since I’ve walked away from him twice, he wouldn’t hesitate on taking a contract out on me.”

  “So you think he’d kill you?”

  “Not until he had HTS.”

  “And me?”

  He hedges.

  “I don’t know, kea.” His hand reaches for mine and he brings it to his lips. “I’m pretty certain he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you, though.”

  It’s the answer I expected.

  “I think it’s time to step up my protection and increase my security. I think I need a team of bodyguards and not one.”

  “I hate that it’s come to this, but I agree. Get Sam to help. He’s the most trustworthy.”

  The next morning, before the sun rises, Kolson makes his usual hasty departure.

  “I hope this can end soon because this is the part I hate the most,” I tell him right before he kisses me good-bye.

  “I hate it every bit as much as you do. But be careful and make that call to Sam today. I’ll feel much better knowing you have a group of people watching your back.”

  “I will. And promise me you won’t take any unnecessary risks. And see if Case can help you with digging up things on Langston.”

  I watch him slip out the door. Later that morning, I arrange for my new team of bodyguards.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Gabriella

  Having a team of bodyguards around is like being a teenager and trying to sneak out of the house while firing a cannon. At least that’s the best analogy I can come up with because I never tried to sneak out of the house as a teenager. But it is the largest pain in the ass I’ve ever dealt with. Everywhere I travel, four giant pillars of human muscle flank me. It’s impossible to see me because I’m shielded by four corners of steel. But taking Drexel Wolfe’s advice has given me an element of comfort.

  They flank my office door and stay there until I leave each day, accompanying me to the car. My social life is limited. But it has been since Kolson’s disappearance. This has been my fault, mainly because I’ve not wanted to expose my friends to the danger that Langston could possibly pose for them. It has been difficult putting them off but I haven’t wanted to give them too much information on Kolson or Langston, because the less they know, the better off they are. Sky and Cara called earlier and begged me to go to dinner tonight, but they’re coming to the penthouse instead. I give Lydia a heads-up so she can prepare something for us.

  I head home, looking forward to an evening with my friends.

  At seven, they step off the elevator and I hand them each a glass of wine.

  “You don’t look so hot,” Sky says.

  “Yeah, you don’t,” Cara pipes in.

  “I know. Stress. Come on in. Dinner’s ready. Let’s eat because I’m starving.”

  We head to the dining room and I bring everything in. Lydia has made us chicken marsala and I catch them up on everything as best I can.

  “That Langston dude is a creep,” Sky says.

  “Totally. Girl, you have some bad luck,” says Cara.

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “So that’s why you have those big dudes hanging around.”

  “Yep. Bodyguards from now on. I’ve graduated from one to an entire team.”

  They haven’t addressed the elephant in the room yet, but Cara finally does. “So, no word on Kolson?”

  “No. The FBI and the police are still searching. I guess since there hasn’t been a ransom note and no body, they think he left on his own. So there really isn’t any urgency any more. Or at least that’s what they told me the last time I spoke with them. Honestly, I don’t think they’re even looking anymore.” I look down at my feet because I’ve never been a good liar and I want them to think I’m still upset over this.

  “That’s what Case told Ryder,” Sky said.

  I nod. “I think it’s his dad. But he’s not saying anything.”

  “Yeah, I agree. Be careful, Gabby. That guy is bad news.”

  “I know.” I shiver when I think about the pictures of Storm.

  After they leave, I think about the risk Kolson takes each day when he exposes himself to the outside world. Icy needles prickle my skin. It quickly turns into perspiration and a racing heart. Breathe, Gabby.

  When I regain control, anger settles into me. Langston Hart is stealing our lives. And it’s not fair. He’s stolen far too much of Kolson’s life already. He doesn’t get to steal anymore. If I didn’t have that team of bodyguards right outside my door, I would drive to Langston’s house right now and do my best to kill him. I’m sure I wouldn’t get very far, but this hatred needs to be assuaged somehow.

  I pour myself a drink and take the back stairs down to the studio. Kolson is waiting on me when I get there.

  He kisses me and says, “Drinking whiskey tonight?”

  “I’m a little angry at your dad. I needed something strong. Cara and Sky came to dinner.”

  “You should know that Langston has men crawling all over the place outside. I think he’s pissed about your new human fortress.”

  “Too bad.”

  “You okay?”

  “No.”

  “Tell me.” He leans against the wall but doesn’t approach me.

  “That fucker has done enough already.”

  “Gabriella …” His voice carries a warning. “The last time you said something like this, you went after Danny and almost got yourself killed. Please, swear to me you won’t do anything off-the-charts crazy like that. The dragon is WAY beyond your capabi
lity.”

  I huff, “I know, and it’s so damn frustrating.”

  He pushes himself away from the wall and saunters over to where I stand. His hands thread their way into my hair. “You seem off tonight. Let’s get in bed and just hold each other. I need your body wrapped around me.”

  There’s something about simply holding the one you love, and having him hold you in return, having him tell you he gets you, he gets that you need that wall of solid strength to lean on, to rely on in times like these. Because without him, you feel weak and empty, and he fuels you, gives you the power to endure. And it’s not about the sex. Not about the lust. It’s about something deeper. Something so elemental and primal, it’s as necessary as air and water. That’s what Kolson is to me. My spark of life.

  It’s not until the following week that I realize I’ve made a grave error. How can inviting your friends to dinner turn out to be such a devastating event? Have such far-reaching consequences?

  My office is abuzz with activity as Jack hands me several contracts, along with proposals for other possible deals he’s been negotiating. He wants me to entertain the thought of sitting in on a meeting with him. I vacillate, arguing that I’m not ready. He disagrees.

  My computer screen has a newsfeed at the top. I happen to glance at it, and my cell phone buzzes at the same time. Then my “secret” phone pings with a text.

  What the hell?

  “Excuse me, Jack.”

  He smiles while I answer.

  “Case. What’s up?”

  “Have you seen the news?”

  “Not yet. I was getting ready to read it on my computer. Why?”

  “Sit, Gabs.”

  “Oookay. You’re freaking me out. I got a text too.”

  “No, not that. It’s, um …”

  “Goddammit, Case! Tell me.”

  “It’s Cara. They found her body this morning in her apartment.”

  “Whawhahwha …” The phone falls out of my hand.

  Jack runs and picks it up and speaks with Case. I’m not sure what they say. All I know is Cara had dinner at my place last week and now she’s dead. And I know who killed her.