Teddy Bear Sir (The Sloan Brothers Book 3) by Jo Willow Read Free Book Online Page A

 What he did was unconscionable.”
    She wrapped her arms around me and I held her tighter.  When she whispered something against my chest, I know she thought I didn’t hear it, but god help me, I did.  And it would change everything.
    She held me close and whispered, “Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with you before him?”
     

Chapter Four
     
    The next several weeks went by quickly.  There was the fashion show and Melody proved once again that she had the best team in the fashion industry.  Designers that employed three times the staff came out looking half as polished.  We kept Ayla away in case Tony was prowling around waiting to pounce.  It was beginning to get on everyone’s nerves.
    Since I was home with Ayla, I got the news of Melody’s adventure via Deacon.  He phoned while we were putting the finishing touches on a chef’s salad.  I smiled at Ayla and answered, expecting another update on the show.
    “ Pierce, it’s Deke.  Please tell me that Ayla is safe and sound with you.”
    I looked over at her and she raised her eyebrows.  I shrugged.
    “ She’s dicing cucumbers as we speak.  Why?  What’s going on?”
    “ Tony just showed up at Mel’s and she was alone.  We’re at the hospital now.”
    I leaned heavily against the counter and closed my eyes.
    “ We’re on our way.”
    And so it began.
     
    There was no doubt we were in the right place because Anton’s shouts could be heard from a block away.  Ayla moved closer to me and I put my arm around her.  I stopped her before we got any closer and tilted her chin up so that she was looking in my eyes.
    “ Remember when I told you that our relationship would have rules?”
    She nodded and waited anxiously.
    “ Good.  Here’s a rule I want you to remember.  Anything that asshole Tony does is not your fault.  Got it?”
    She nodded, but didn’t look convinced.
    “ Next rule: If my brothers or their spouses are upset, let me do the talking.”
    I could tell that she didn’t much care for this one.
    “ What if it concerns me?”
    “ Especially if it concerns you.  Anton is a hothead and he’ll probably say something he doesn’t mean.  He won’t say anything like that to me.  Deke can go either way.”
    “ What if I’m asked a direct question?”
    “ We’ll take that as it comes.  Just obey the rules and we’ll be fine.”
    She turned her face away, but not before I saw her roll her eyes.  That would have to be another rule for another time.
     
    We found the crowd easily enough, most of them were still dressed to the nines.  Anton was in a nurses face and Deacon was pacing with his fists clenched, trying to hold his tongue.  Two people were missing, Dorothy and Melody.
    “ ...Since I’m the one that’s gonna be killing the dick that did this to her, I should be back there WITH her.  I need to see just how dead this asshole needs to be.”
    The logic escaped me, but I wasn’t going to be the one to point out that dead is dead, no matter how messed up Melody was.  Deacon had to choose that moment to add his two cents and I watched the nurse take a step back.
    “ My wife is severely pregnant.  I do not want her upset.  Her sister upsets her if I’m not present.  I need to check on my wife!”
    I elbowed my way between my brothers who were bearing down on the nurse that was about to flee.  I smiled as I pushed them both back, and she looked at me tentatively.
    “ I apologize for my brothers.  They forget that you are under just as much stress as they are.”
    I pointedly looked at both of them and they stepped back to cool down.  Ayla grabbed them both and took them to a more secluded area to talk.  I wasn’t sure I liked that, but the nurse now had her attention focused on me.
    “ The man that did this to Melody is stalking my girlfriend.”
    I gestured toward Ayla and the nurse’s eyes followed my hand.
    “ He’s extremely dangerous and we’re all under an immense amount of strain at the