She's Still The One: A Brother's Best Friend, Rockstar Romance, Kaci Rose [latest books to read .TXT] 📗

"We just found out today from the private investigator," I tell her.

"Well, he was going on and on about how, when Dave doesn’t manage you guys, because the label is forcing him to retire all the money he’ll lose, when all this happens. Then, he grabbed me."

I tense up. The thought of his hands on her kills me. I have to remind myself she’s here, she’s safe, and she's in my arms.

"Then, he demanded I break up with Dallas. He knew we were together. How I don't know. I swear Landon, you’re the only one who knows. He said I was to marry him, or he'd send you two to jail for a long time with some evidence he has. From the sound of it, it's fake, but I don't know. He gave me one week. He handed me a key for an apartment." She says, and then buries her head in my chest.

"Where is this key?" I ask her.

"Over there on my nightstand, along with the card with the address."

She doesn't move, but I turn my head and see a sliver house key, sitting on top of a white card with an address scribbled on it just like she said.

"Of course, this is all for the money," Landon says and sighs. "Okay, we’re pressing charges. Austin please don't fight me on this. We’ll get our lawyers on it. We have the best ones there are, and there’s nothing in our pasts that can send us to jail. But he will be going. I need you to trust us."

"Okay." She whispers.

"I'm upping security. Today, was our mistake. We both thought the other was with you. The three of us will have bodyguards around the clock, and security around the house. That’s the way we can deal with this. I know you hate not having alone time, Austin, but this isn't forever just until he's behind bars, okay?"

"After today, I'm okay to never be alone again." She sniffles, and I hold her tighter, but smile a little. I know she doesn't mean that in the long run, but right now, I will give her that and make sure she’s with me as much as possible.

"We’ll talk more, when I get home," Landon says.

"Drive safe," I say, before hanging up.

Austin and I just stand there with our arms around each other. Neither of us moving or talking. Soaking in what we might have lost today. Her mind is racing as much as mine is, so I let her think as I hold her. I will stay here like this, as long as she needs me.

Finally, I sigh, and then do the one thing that will calm me. I pick up her bags and carry them to my room and start unpacking them. I made room in the closet and dresser the other day, but I will get Landon to help me move her dresser in here, too. There’s plenty of room for her stuff, and after this, there won't be a single night where she’s not in my arms, so it's time to make it official.

She can keep stuff in her room. Turn it into a reading nook or whatever she wants, but she won't be sleeping there anymore.

I turn, and she’s standing in the doorway, watching me with a look of love on her face. In this moment, all the day’s horror from her ex is forgotten. It's me showing her that I’m taking a stand, and that she isn't pushing me away.

"You are mine, baby girl. Always. I will fix this." Taking her hands in mine, I give her a soft, comforting kiss. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Dallas. I never was going to marry him. I was just trying to buy us some time, until I came up with a plan."

"That’s for us to do; the private investigator gave us a few leads that will help us. We’ll talk, when Landon gets here." I pull her into my arms.

When the door closes downstairs, she stiffens up again. This time I'm here for her and nothing is going to happen.

Chapter 35

Austin

Hearing the door close downstairs, makes my heart race, even though I'm in Dallas's arms.

"Guys, it's me!" Landon calls up the stairs, and I relax.

"I got you, baby. I promise you’ll be safe always. Let's go talk to him."

I nod, and he ducks into my room to grab my sweatshirt, because he knows I will want to put it back on, once Landon sees my arm.

He takes my good hand, and we walk downstairs hand-in-hand. We find Landon in the living room, and he jumps up as soon as we enter. His eyes zero in on my wrist.

"Christ. I want to take you in and have it looked at." He says, as he pulls out his phone.

"Let me get some pictures." He says and starts snapping photos of my wrist and arm from all angles.

The whole thing makes me uncomfortable, but Dallas holds my eyes the whole time, letting me know without words that he's here for me.

This is why I don't notice Landon moving to touch my wrist, and I flinch away in pain, which sets both guys on edge.

"It's not broken," I tell him and show them I can move it, but it’s swollen already.

"Let me get some ice," Dallas says and heads off to the kitchen.

This time it's Landon's turn to pull me into a hug. He might be trying to comfort me, but I think this hug is more about comforting himself.

When Dallas walks back into the room, he settles with me on the love seat, placing my wrist on his lap and putting the ice on it. Landon sits across from us, watching Dallas but not saying anything.

"I called Mason, when I got off the phone with you. He's meeting with the security team and bringing in a few more guys. They already have some on the grounds, but the rest will be here soon. Once the bodyguards