Jagged Hearts by Lacey Thorn Read Free Book Online Page B

list,” Jamison barked out.
    Bare didn’t even flinch at the glare thrown his way. “We’ll go to Gilly’s. His house is plenty big enough, out of the way, and no one will think to look for either of us there.”
    “That’s a good idea,” Tuck said, earning his own heated look from Jamison.
    Paisley slipped her hand from Bare’s and stood, crossing to her dad. “I’m fine, Dad. Mom can’t hurt me anymore.”
    Her dad looked at her for a long moment then pulled her in for a hug. “I’d never forgive myself if anything else happened to you.”
    She felt him shudder and knew he was remembering the day he’d come to LA and found her in the hospital. She let him hold her for a minute, neither of them saying anything. When he stepped back, she automatically lifted her chin to look up and meet his gaze. He cupped her face with his hand and smiled.
    “It’s good to see you smile like that, to hear you laugh again. It’s been far too long.”
    She nodded. “I know. I…I’m sorry I’ve been so—”
    “Shh,” he interrupted. “You never have to apologize to me. I love you, Paisley. Nothing changes that.”
    “Love you, too, Dad.”
    “You on the other hand…” Jamison turned a hard gaze on Bare. “If you hurt one hair on her head, I’ll personally make sure your life is a living hell.”
    Bare reclined comfortably against the couch, arms spread wide and draped over the back. He winked at her when she glanced his way. “If I hurt her, you won’t have to make my life hell,” Bare replied, his serious tone at contrast with the playful look he gave her. His gaze moved away, meeting Jamison’s stare. “It already will be.”
    The two men stared each other down, neither giving ground, and Paisley felt as if she were watching a pissing match. Fortunately, she knew just how much trust her dad had in Bare. After all, Bare was the one who took over the day-to-day operations of Knight’s Watch when Jamison was gone. Tuck had enough to do dealing with initial client interviews as well as the counseling services he provided for the staff. The trust they placed in Bare spoke volumes.
    Finally, Jamison nodded. “I’ll have two of the guys pack you a bag.”
    “No offense, Dad, but I’d prefer not to have just anyone sorting through my underwear drawer.”
    “I’ll go,” Bare said. “I’ll need to swing by my place and throw some stuff together anyway. You can keep Paisley here until I get back. You okay with that?”
    She nodded, though her core warmed at the thought of Bare touching her undies, selecting which ones he wanted to see her in. She’d rarely been one to practice caution. It was always a split-second decision then diving in head first. It was past time she found the carefree woman inside her again, and it looked like Bare was just the one to bring her back.
    “Will we be able to carry everything on the bike?”
    “I’ll trade the bike for my truck,” Bare said.
    He rose and crossed to her. She shouldn’t have been embarrassed when he pulled her into his arms, not after the display earlier. But her adrenaline surge was no longer fueling her. He dropped a chaste kiss atop her head as if he sensed her anxiety.
    “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he promised.
    “Be safe,” she said and felt like a fool when he grinned down at her.
    “Nothing will stop what we’ve set in motion,” he leaned down and whispered before placing another kiss on her cheek.
    “Take one of the others with you,” Tuck said.
    “I’ll walk you out,” her dad offered then turned to her. “Why don’t you stay here with Tuck? I’ll come back when I’m done talking to Bare.”
    She nodded. She wouldn’t tell her dad to leave Bare alone. Neither of them would listen to her anyway. Besides, she knew for a fact Bare could hold his own against anyone, even her dad. She had a feeling her dad would tell Bare what she sensed he wasn’t telling her. Jamison was obviously trying to protect her from something he