So Ashlynn had learned to take care of herself. Whether or not that was his plan—teaching her to defend herself—or if he truly was a sadistic fuck who wanted to have a man brutalize her, she couldn’t say. Not that it mattered. Today wasn’t going to be Dwayne’s lucky day.

Unfortunately, she found herself out in the open once again, and before she could make a move, Dwayne launched himself at her, knocking her backward onto the sofa while his giant ass came tumbling down on top of her. She raised her knee, attempting to hit him in the nuts, but he shifted at the last possible second.

He frowned down at her while his hand quickly slid up her skirt. She writhed to get away from him, but he wasn’t after what she thought he was.

No, what he was after was worse.

Even though she was thrashing and hitting him, he still managed to free her knife from the sheath on her leg. As he held it above her, Ashlynn noticed the wild look in his eyes.

“Your ol’ man didn’t know what he was askin’ for,” Dwayne snarled. “He thought I’d be content with pussy. Little does he know.”

Fuck.

Ashlynn put her hands on his chest and shoved, but he was far too heavy for her to even make him budge. When the blade of her knife came down and caressed her neck, she quit moving.

“You better kill me,” Ashlynn bit out. “’Cause if you don’t, I’m gonna kill you.”

“Try me, bitch.” He sounded as though he was enjoying himself, and that only fueled her anger.

Remembering what Max had told her the last time she’d been there when she’d asked where he kept his guns—always where you’d least expect it—Ashlynn slid her hand down into the cushion, feeling around. She prayed like hell this was one of those least expected places, because if not, she was likely going to have a really shitty day.

Her hand nudged something metal, and she felt around it. She wasn’t sure what kind of gun it was, but she felt for a safety and found one, which she prayed meant there was a bullet chambered. If not, she wasn’t going to be able to cock the damn thing in time.

She felt the cool blade against her neck, and she was pretty sure Dwayne had drawn blood at that point, but she felt no pain. Not even from where he was crushing her into the cushion. Her only thought was getting that gun in position so that she could…

Pressing the barrel of the gun into his side, Ashlynn met his gaze. His eyes widened, but she didn’t give him time to make a move. Praying, she pulled the trigger. She felt the recoil in her arm, at the same time she gripped Dwayne’s arm with her other hand, forcing the knife away from her neck. His full weight fell on her, causing her to scream at the top of her lungs as she tried to get out from beneath the dead man.

Partially paralyzed from fear, partially fueled by adrenaline, Ashlynn managed to get half of her body out from beneath him, but it wasn’t until the door flew open and Leyton stormed into the room that she knew she was out of danger. He was instantly at her side, pulling Dwayne’s limp body off her and dropping it to the floor.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice gravelly, his hands sliding down her arms.

“Yeah,” she huffed, trying to suck in air.

“What the fuck happened?” he asked, his tone lethal.

“You’ll have to ask my father. I think this was a test.”

Leyton didn’t look surprised. “You’re bleeding,” he said, his hand going to her neck.

“It’s just a scratch,” she told him, then stared back at him for a moment, her eyes wide as she took him in.

His hair was wet, and he wasn’t wearing a shirt, so she had to assume he’d been in the shower, though she had no idea how he’d heard her, where he’d even come from, or why he wasn’t with Max, but the sight of him half-dressed stole her breath. The scars that marred his body were numerous. Burns covered a large portion of his arms and part of his chest, more along his shoulders. Small circles that looked as though someone had…

“You need to get out of here,” Leyton commanded, grabbing her arm and pulling her to her feet. “Now!”

Knowing that someone had to clean up the dead guy—the first man who she had killed—Ashlynn stumbled toward the door, staring back at Leyton.

“Fucking go, Ashlynn. Don’t make me tell you again.”

With that, she ran out the door, not looking back. For days she wondered about those scars she’d seen, thought about who had hurt him and why they’d done it.

And that was when Ashlynn had realized that not all scars were visible to others. Not even when they weren’t deep inside. Some people simply managed to hide them well.

Which was when she’d decided it was time to hide hers, too.

Chapter Twenty

Everyone’s had that moment when “no” suddenly means “yes, please.”

Present day

Friday, November 6 th

Leyton had no idea what to expect when he knocked on the door that led back into the house and waited for someone to answer, but it damn sure hadn’t been to come face-to-face with Ashlynn. When she stepped out into the garage, closing the door behind her, he knew he was in for it. His only hope was that Ashlynn would keep in mind that Rock and Sal were sitting inside the Escalade, watching them.

“Send your boys inside,” Ashlynn instructed, her tone cold.

Well, fuck.

Turning to face Rock, Leyton nodded his head toward the house. Rock climbed out slowly, Sal close behind, their dark eyes watching them as they made their way past the Escalade identical to the one they’d just exited, then two more of Ashlynn’s vehicles. Rock cast a concerned glance over his shoulder as he turned the knob, and before the door closed once again, he met Leyton’s eyes, a clear warning in his perceptive gaze.

Leyton tried to ignore it. He didn’t need a warning. He’d already received one. From Max.

You stay the fuck away from my sister. Do you understand me? If I catch you with her again, I’ll saw your fucking nuts off with a rusty butter knife. And then I’ll fucking feed them to you.

“Why’re you still here?” Ashlynn asked, standing less than two feet away. She was still wearing the black silk robe, which offered an eyeful of smooth, creamy skin that he was hard-pressed to keep his gaze from straying to. Not only was there a deep V at her neck that provided a sinful glimpse of the swell of her breasts but the robe was also short, giving him an appetizing view of her long legs. Her little toes were painted a ruby red, and for some perverse reason, he even found that damn sexy.

Remembering why he was there, he said, “I spoke with Max. He wants me to stay here tonight.”

Ashlynn studied him for a moment, and Leyton wished he could read her mind. He’d sensed the cool detachment in her tone earlier, and he’d actually welcomed it. The cold shoulder from Ashlynn was about the only thing that seemed to work for him these days. At least as far as keeping himself under control where she was concerned. Ever since that day when he’d kissed her at the wedding that they’d attended with Max, Leyton hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. Day, night. Awake, asleep. It didn’t matter. She was always on his mind.

And these little trysts she was having with Jase… It seemed more and more that he was meant to see them, meant to want what he couldn’t have. As though the two of them were toying with him.

So her brush-off earlier had put things into perspective, making him realize he had no place in her life.

Or so he’d thought.

“Stay here, huh? Are you gonna sleep in my bed?” she inquired, her tone serious.