Miller's Time (Southern Charmers 2)

The next ten messages are photos of legal briefs and attachments with Ashlyn’s name as representing attorney. None of it registers, and I get sick of clicking through the bullshit.

“What the fuck does any of this mean?” I grate out.

“Have no idea, but read the last message,” Andrew answers coldly.

Now you see I am not bluffing. Let’s call this incentive. Time to return. The stakes have changed. You don’t want to abide by the rules, your precious reputation will be demolished.

Ice races through my veins, and the red haze builds until I’m blinded by rage.

“It’s that goddamned MOTHERFUCKER!” My voice shakes with fury, and I fight hurling the phone through the window.

“We don’t know for sure, but it’s our guess.” Dozer stands with his feet planted, arms crossed, barely containing his own wrath.

“How’d he get her number?”

“No clue.”

“Miller,” Pierce’s hand lands on my shoulder, “give me until Mom and Annie get here, and I’ll take you somewhere to beat the shit out of the bag until you calm down.”

“You can’t leave.”

“It’s not ideal, but for you, I absolutely can. Ashlyn can’t see you like this. Swear to God, brother, only once have I seen you this crazed.”

Pierce is known for his hot-headed temper. Before Darby came back, he flew off the handle at the drop of a hat. I am the calmer one, always have been, but faced with someone fucking with Ashlyn gives me insight into his head.

“He’s right, you can’t leave, but we can, and we could use an outlet,” Andrew throws in.

“I’m in,” Todd adds. “Stephanie doesn’t want to leave today anyway. You need us, we’re here all night.”

I jerk my chin, my mind spinning.

“I’ll go, too,” Evin offers. “I haven’t had a good round with a bag in too long.”

“Appreciate it, man, but you got to stay. We can’t raise any suspicions until we know more about this.”

“Before you boys go off to beat the hell out of shit, I need to know what we’re doing about this.”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” His eyebrows arch. “Did you say nothing?”

“Not right now, maybe not tonight. Ashlyn had a mental breakthrough yesterday that cleared years of self-questioning.” I wave my finger between the three men. “She’s in that room holding a newborn, and the minute he was in her arms, I saw it. She wants that. I want that more, and I’m not willing to set her spiraling back to the black fucking pit she brought to Charleston with her.”

“How long are you going to keep this from her?” Dozer’s question is a mix of appreciation and apprehension.

“Let’s set the ball in motion to find this cocksucker. I’m going to give her this—

the family, the happiness, the joy and excitement. When I sit down with her, she will retreat and I’ll be there to stop it.”

“Fine with me.” Austin relaxes his stance. “I have a friend that can help.”

“Appreciate that, and I’m hoping Stephanie can explain what all these shots and attachments of legal briefs mean.”

Todd doesn’t stall. “She’ll be on that shit before you can blink. Steph’s been verbal about understanding what happened to Ashlyn for a while.”

“That’s it then, you two with me.” I point to Austin and Andrew. “We’ll go back and spend a few minutes and act normal. Tonight, we all meet back at my place to eat the mountain of food we didn’t cook last night. We celebrate this like a family. Everyone deserves that. Tomorrow morning, I’ll talk to her.”

Every man agrees, and we walk back to the room, moods still simmering but under control.

No one questions when Austin, Andrew, and I mention leaving early under the ruse of checking on Runner, hitting the gym, and getting the house ready for a big dinner.

On the way out, we run into my family, and Cole gives me a high five, clutching another huge bear, this one in a Christmas outfit.

“Good call, buddy. I think Dev may need that.”

He beams proudly, taking off to the room with Mom and Maya on his trail.

Dad grabs my arm. “I don’t know what’s going on, but please don’t make me bail you out of jail.”

Perception… right on the fucking mark.

“We’re good, Gramps, see you tonight.”

He shoves me hard, hating the name, but doesn’t question.

Chapter 19

Ashlyn

I shuffle through the printouts again. All the texts, attachments, screenshots, and most recently the report that the number was untraceable.

“I’m not mad.” My voice is steady, even though my insides are rolling. It would be easy to break down, but I can tell that’s exactly what Miller and my brothers are expecting. “This explains why you kept my phone last night.”

“It wasn’t about hiding things from you; it was more about protection and giving you the night you deserved,” Miller replies gently.

I nod, giving him that. Less than two days ago, I openly admitted he was my safety net, and a man like Miller Kendrick takes that seriously. Shielding me from this was his way of protection.