Saxon's Soul (Haven, Texas 5)

“I don’t know all the details, but from what I gather he ended up spending the night with them, then got up the next morning and told them he’d made a mistake. That he wasn’t into any of that perverted shit and that he wanted nothing to do with them.”

“Oh, shit.”

“Yeah. Keira rang me in tears. Told me what he’d said. I was furious at the way he’d treated them. I went to confront him, and we fought. With both words and fists. And then he told me he longer had a brother. I left and haven’t spoken to him since. Found a manager for the club, changed cities and moved here. I’ve never looked back.”

“Oh, Saxon.” She reached for his hand, squeezing it.

“Don’t feel sorry for me. Feel sorry for Keira and Julian. That bastard treated them far worse.”

“What happened to them?”

“They quit. Found new jobs. Julian said it took them a while to decide to try playing again. They went to a few clubs. Eventually, they decided they were ready to find a permanent Dom. Unfortunately, they found their worst nightmare. They met a guy in a club. They thought he was wonderful, turns out he was a sadistic bastard. He invited them to come on vacation to Colombia. He drugged them, locked them up, and beat them. He’d brought them there to fulfill his sick fantasies. He damn near killed them. Might have, if one of his servants hadn’t helped them escape.”

“Oh my God.”

“That’s why I had to go see Jake this morning. To warn him.”

“What? You mean this guy is still out there?”

“Yes. He’s disappeared. He’s rich and has connections. Fortunately, there’s not much to tie me to Julian and Keira. So I doubt he’ll figure out where they are. I covered my tracks well. I’ve also asked Curt to increase the security around here. But if you’re worried about yours or the boys’ safety—”

She reached up and placed a finger over his lips. “I know you’ll keep us safe. I’m more worried about them. Why did Julian call you?”

He sighed. “He didn’t have anyone else. He managed to track me down through the manager at my club in L.A.”

“He called you because he knew you would help. Like you always do. You help people.”

“I didn’t do much,” he replied. “I can believe some things of Cole but I never thought he would be so careless with them. So uncaring. He’s not the man I thought he was.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I haven’t suffered the way they have.”

Hadn’t he? She wasn’t so sure. He climbed out of the Jeep and came around to open her door. She slid out then leaned up on tiptoes to kiss him. “You’re a good man, Joel Saxon.”

“I always thought I was a good Dom and a terrible man. That I’d make a crap father and husband. But now I know that all I needed was a reason to want to be the sort of man who could have a family. I won’t be like my father was. I won’t ignore my wife and children because I’m chasing something shinier or because I want more money.”

“I know you won’t. You’re nothing like him.”

“At least I know what not to do.”

“Joel, I’ve seen you with the boys. Hell, I’ve seen you with the entire town. Your methods might be interesting at times and you may have the view that you’re always right—”

“I am.” He turned and taking her hand in his, led her into the house.

“But I know you do it because you want to help. You wouldn’t do that if you didn’t care about other people. And you’d never abandon those under your care. Hell, you went to Colombia to rescue two people you hardly know just because they meant something to your brother.”

“That wasn’t the only reason. I also feel some responsibility.”

“Nobody could have known this would happen.”

“No, but maybe if I hadn’t interfered they could have made more of a go of it with Cole.”

“It sounds like he’s pretty closed-minded. I don’t think that anything you did would have changed the outcome.”

“When did you get so wise?”

“Oh, I don’t—” A scream filled the air. It was terror-filled and chilled her to the bone.