Reed (Allen Securities) by Madison Stevens Read Free Book Online

Olivia’s arms.
    “Me too,” she said quietly, eyeing Reed as they slowly made their way to the cars.
    “What happened?” Irene asked excitedly.
    “Neil,” Reed ground out.
    “I’ve got the word out about him, but he’s likely gone underground.” Kace’s mouth formed a hard line. “I swear, if I get my hands on the fucker…”
    The group fell into silence.
    Olivia could tell the effort of getting to the car was wearing on him. When they made it to the squad car, she opened the back door and ushered him in. Despite how happy she was to see Irene, her top concern was Reed. The way he was dragging made her worry that he might have a concussion. She had seen more than a few and knew the significance.
    “Take us to the office,” Reed told Kace once everyone was in the car.
    “Take us to his house,” Olivia countered.
    Kace turned and stared confused at the two. Olivia could make out Irene’s worried face through the seats.
    “He is in no shape to be working and needs to rest,” she said. Olivia turned to Reed. “Take us to his house,” she said firmly.
    Olivia wasn’t certain if she had won the battle, or if Reed assumed his brother would ultimately listen to him, but regardless, she wasn’t letting him work. He had nearly gotten killed today, and if she was going to find out what this was all about, she was going to need him with a clear head.
    Kace caught her eye and held it for a moment. Much like his other brothers, she knew he was searching for something. Whatever it might have been, he must have found it.
    “I’ll take you home,” he said.
    Olivia breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed into the seat.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    When the car came to a stop, Olivia jumped awake. It had been a long day, and she could feel the exhaustion deep in her bones. Bleary eyed, she sought out Reed. He was slumped in the seat but awake. His watchful eyes fixed on her. She wondered what he saw when he looked at her. Considering what he thought of her brother, she thought it couldn’t be much.
    “You could always go home with me,” Irene said quietly from the front.
    Olivia shook her head. “Reed is the best chance I have to help Ben.”
    Both women stopped to watch as Kace pulled Reed from the car and helped him to the house. For the first time since they stopped, Olivia noticed how far outside the city they were. Darkness surrounded the house until the two men made their way halfway to the door. Outside lights flicked on and illuminated the area. On the whole, it had a very rustic feel. Not a surprise considering the man who lived there.
    Surprisingly, flowers lined the sides of the house. From what she could tell, it seemed to have a very domestic feel.
    “Are you sure you can handle this?” Olivia turned to look at her worried friend. “He just seems so…” Irene motioned with her hands. “So big.”
    Olivia laughed at her friend and turned back to Reed. He was staring at her from the porch. She wondered what he would do if she did leave. She didn’t think he would take it sitting down and considering his state, it might really hurt him. As little as she knew him, the last thing she wanted was to cause undue stress.
    Olivia huffed in frustration. Besides, he was her best line to Ben. Or at least the best line to keeping him alive.
    “Listen, I’m beat,” she said to Irene. “I’ll give you a call and fill you in on all the details.”
    Irene looked back at Reed, suspicion radiating off of her.
    “Yeah,” Irene said. “Like every day.”
    Olivia got out of the car and felt her muscles pull. Her poor throbbing ankle, puffy and abused from the day’s events. She wondered if it would ever be the same and rolled it a bit to stretch the tendons. The deep ache made her wince, but she quickly recovered as Irene came out of the car and took her in a warm embrace.
    “You be careful,” she whispered in her ear.
    Olivia nodded, choked from the emotions that threatened to spill out.
    She slowly made her