chapter 7

ASHTON

The blood drained from her face and her body jerked before she grabbed the counter to steady herself. “Wha—”

Buzz! Buzz!

I frowned, hearing my door buzzer. My men hadn’t called, and the concierge would never buzz anyone in if they weren’t important to me. Casting her another frown, I went over and pressed the intercom button. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry for the interruption, but a Ms. Montell and Mr. West are here to see—”

I cursed, then hit the speaker button. “Let them up.” As soon as I was done, I went to Molly and ignored how she jumped at my closeness. “You will keep this between us. Got it?”

She frowned, bristling, and I could see the thoughts forming before she opened her mouth. She was going to fight me on this.

“If you want even a shot at getting Easter Lanes to be yours and yours alone, you will follow my lead when Jess and Trace get here.” Her eyes lit up at my offer, and she nodded before cursing and smoothing a hand down her hair.

“I look a mess.”

She looked stunning. “You’re fine.”

Trace knew the code for my door, so I was unsurprised when I heard it open. I braced myself.

They were quiet, but I felt their intensity—or I should say hers, as Jess Montell, the love of Trace’s life, came in.

Her eyes were blazing. I’d expected nothing less and half smirked. “Officer Montell.”

“Jess!” Molly’s delight was evident, but Jess gave her a cursory look. Up and down, before she rounded to me.

I stepped up to meet her, and as she was about to put hands on me, I flashed her a grin. “All her body parts are attached.”

She stopped, holding back. “You took her out of the hospital when she was unconscious? Are you kidding me? Then you smart off to me?”

Molly was frowning.

Trace was studying me over her head.

Jess Montell was in mourning because of her friend’s death, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there were other reasons for her frostiness, especially toward me. But I meant what I’d said to Trace. I was dedicated to finding Kelly and Justin’s murderer.

As if reading my mind, which he probably did because it was something we did often over the years, Trace gave me another grin before shrugging, but he gave a little nod in Molly’s direction.

Jess had rounded to her, and she was approaching with caution. “How are you feeling, Mols?”

Molly’s eyes jerked to mine over Jess’s head, and they narrowed before she responded. “I’m okay.” She went around Jess, coming to my side, and linked her arm with mine, stepping closer. Fuck. I felt that touch down to my dick. “Thank god Ashton was there to help me out.”

Jess went still.

I stiffened.

I heard Trace smother a laugh before turning away. He walked into the library, his head and shoulders shaking.

“What?” Jess’s voice was flat.

“Oh yeah.” Molly laid it on. Her arm tightened around mine. “He’s been great. Bringing me here. Taking care of Easter Lanes. We were just about to have breakfast when you guys showed up. Are you hungry? I’m starving.”

Jess took a step backward. “Breakfast?”

I stifled a groan but reversed Molly’s hold on me. I wrapped my arm around her, taking hold of her hip, and brought her even closer to me. Her front was to my side. Another scenario and I’d be tempted to rest my cheek on Molly’s head.

I kept my hand firmly on her hip, anchoring her to me. “I could make breakfast or have something delivered. Would you guys want to join us?”

Trace was stepping back into the kitchen. “No.” He went next to Jess, putting his arm around her shoulders and drawing her into his side similar to how Molly and I were standing. “Jess was worried, but Molly seems like she’s being taken care of.”

Jess started to argue. “I think—”

“We’re supposed to meet your mother.”

Her mouth closed. “Oh. Yeah.”

Trace jerked his chin up to me. “Before we go, can I have a word?” He motioned toward my office. “In private?” His eyes skirted from Jess to Molly before coming back to me and flashed briefly with extra emotion.

I held Molly close again, ignoring how her body shuddered against mine. “Sure.” But before leaving, I turned so my back was to Jess and Trace. I looked down at Molly, who tipped her head up to me.

Right now, in this moment, it was her and me. I was barricading the others off.

I gazed down at her, my eyes a little narrowed.

What was she doing? Was she going to keep playing along? How’d I handle it if she didn’t? All those questions flashed from me to her, silently. A deep warning from me.

I felt a second shiver come from her body to mine, and I didn’t know the reason, but we held that look for a full three seconds before I pulled away. She never gave anything away. She banked down whatever caused that sizzle, and I got a wall right back.

Fine. On to my best friend.

Trace was already walking into my office. I followed behind, shutting the door, and as he started to speak, I held up a finger. After hitting the seal button, I looked back to him. “We’re soundproofed now.”

“What the fuck are you doing with Molly Easter?”

He wasn’t wasting time. I almost had to smile at that.

“I believe we had this conversation not long ago.”

“Jess got a call and was livid. I would like for my best friend and the love of my life to be somewhat civil toward each other, and I’m aware that’s going to take time, but Jesus, Ashton. Taking Molly from the hospital when she was still unconscious?”

My gut shifted. “Did the doctor call or did Sloane?”

He held my gaze for a beat. “Dr. Nea Sandquist has become somewhat friendly with Jess, but no, the doctor is as terrified of me as she is of you.”

So the nurse. Good to know.

“I see,” I replied.

He snorted. “You don’t see shit. Sloane is close to Jess, was close to Kelly. She used to volunteer at the hospital. Her death hit Sloane hard too.”

I glowered at him.

He shook his head. “What are you doing with Molly?”

I half growled. “To be frank, Trace, that’s none of your business.”

“Don’t give me the crap that your family owns Marcus Easter. You know he’s been a horrible father to Molly. I shouldn’t have to remind you that Jess just lost her best friend. She doesn’t let a lot of people in. One of those that she has”—he pointed out the door—“is in that room with her, and fully lying to her. Which Jess knows. She’s got a BS radar, remember? She was a parole officer. Why is Molly lying to her? What are you holding over her head?”

I was gritting my teeth tighter and tighter the more he talked. “I love you. I hope to one day be on good footing with your woman again, but listen to me carefully right now. I need you to get out of my home.” I’d already told him Molly Easter was my business, not his. He knew this, had already agreed to it, so he was the one stepping wrong in this instance.

His head drew back. He gave me an assessing look before his eyes hooded over. “Let me remind you what is at stake here. If you destroy her, Jess will never forgive you.”

The unspoken sentiment was where that would leave him and me.

I drew in a breath, my nostrils flaring. “Noted. Now get out.”