Ruthless Bastard (Dangerous Love 3)

Benji’s sad eyes finally met hers. “Kinsley, I’m so sorry.” He rushed toward her and, in mere seconds, had her in his arms.

She wasn’t quite sure why her emotional dam broke when he hugged her, but maybe it was just the buildup of everything from the past couple days. Besides, her emotions lately never made any sense. She cried watching a commercial about a puppy last night but felt nothing during a sad movie the other day. She fell into Benji’s comforting embrace and shut her eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Kinsley.”

She heard the restrained control in Rhett’s voice even before she opened her eyes. He stood right in front of her, but he was not looking at her. His attention was absolutely fixed on Benji’s arms around Kinsley.

He closed the distance between them quickly, his eyes now wholly on her face. On her tears. “Why are you crying?” he asked through clenched teeth.

Benji slowly slid his arm off Kinsley’s shoulders and took a step back, as if sensing the threat in front of him.

Even she felt the intensity rolling off Rhett in waves, and she chalked that up to his being in full protective mode because of the break-in. He’d trust no one and suspect everyone. She moved away from the others to put some distance between them to keep the conversation private. She saw Peyton draw Benji over to the stage to help her begin cleaning that area up. “I’m just overwhelmed,” she said, wiping her face. “It’s just…today…it’s been…a lot.”

Rhett released a breath like all the plans he’d had to take out his frustrations on Benji had vanished. “What can I do to make that better for you?” he asked sincerely.

She watched him for a moment, sensing his struggle. She’d met so many men over the years working behind the bar. Arrogant men. Cocky men. Sad men. Pathetic men. But Rhett was a different kind of man. An honorable lost man. One who had no idea how to retransition into civilian life. “I’m okay. Honestly. Just emotional.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he reached into his pocket and handed her a key. “Your dad’s going to drive you back to my place after his shift.”

Her heart flipped in her chest at the idea of staying the night with him. “Where are you going?” she asked, accepting the key.

“Got a couple stops to make before calling it a day.”

The bar’s door opened again, and Remy walked through with a grocery bag full of her magical help. She took one look at Rhett and cringed, before reaching into the bag and closing the distance.

She sprayed him twice with something that carried a floral scent. “There, that’ll at least get us started,” she said.

Rhett frowned.

“Oh, this is bad!” Remy looked outright horrified and then sprayed him five more times before shaking her head at his deeper scowl.

Rhett didn’t so much as move, but the authority in his voice filled the room. “Spray me again, Remy, and you’re not going to like what I do to that bottle.”

She watched him intently for a long moment then shoved the bag at Kinsley. “This is no good at all. I’ll be back.”

Rhett watched her as she scurried away.

Kinsley laughed. “You better get out of here. I’ve seen that look. Not only is she determined to fix your mood, but she told me she made a new drink that could battle any negative emotion.”

Rhett shuddered. “I’ll see you later then.”

“See ya,” she said.

With a final stern look at Benji, Rhett vanished out the back door.

Remy ran back through the front, holding up a glass filled with a liquid that looked like vomit. “Where’d Rhett go?” she asked.

“To run from that,” Kinsley said, pointing at the glass. “Seriously, Remy, no one is going to drink that.”

“Oh, please, it’s fine.” She took a sip then gagged. “Okay, you’re right, no one should drink this.”

Chapter 6

Rhett booked it around the building and headed toward his truck parked at the curb. He liked Remy, but there was no magic to cure him. Especially now, when confusing jealousy cut through him as Benji’s arms around Kinsley filled his mind, and he hated himself for it. She deserved a guy like Benji. A man who could love her right and be that perfect guy she needed. And yet the thought of Benji’s body anywhere near Kinsley burned Rhett’s blood red-hot.

When he reached his truck, a low snort escaped him when he saw someone sitting in the passenger seat. He got into the driver’s seat and said, “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see you. How did you know I was on my way to see King?”

“Because it’s exactly what I would have done,” Asher replied, his seatbelt already buckled. He hesitated, his nose scrunching. “Do I even want to know why you smell like flowers?”