Free Two for Protection by Marissa Dobson

never seen it,” Milo said. “Devon, Ava,
your brothers, none of them blame you.”
    “Have
you ever been to the island when I’m not there? Notice that Aunt Bev is around?
She keeps her distance when I’m there. She blames me…damn it, Rosemarie was her
only daughter. I can’t fault her for it either.” Tad wanted the conversation
over. He was tired of living in that day so many years ago. “It’s my past Turi
felt the need to bring to light again. There’s no need for either of you to
suffer due to my mistakes.”
    Milo
shook his head. “Each of our pasts affects our future. We are no longer three
individuals living their own lives. We’re joined together as mates, and that
makes us one.” His cell rang, forcing him to take his arm away from Courtney
and unclip it from his belt. “It’s Tex.” Milo stepped away to take the call.
    Coming
out of the memories, Tad moved them away from the window, not wanting to put Courtney
in any more danger. He hugged her against him, resting his head on top of her
and just breathing her in. His mate, the woman he was destined to be with, to
share with Milo. Even after hearing the worst of his past, she didn’t turn from
him. When she could have sought comfort in Milo’s arms, she didn’t. She
embraced them both, as they both tried to get him to see the light. It was more
than he deserved.
    “I
know you’re still angry with Turi, but he was right. I trust you and Milo. My
rational side says it’s all too fast and that I shouldn’t, but the connection I
feel between us is stronger than anything else. It wins out. I know you’ll both
keep me safe at all costs. Don’t let bringing this up make you doubt yourself.
Jeffery is dangerous. We all have to be on our toes if we’re going to make it
through this alive.”
    “We’re
going to be fine, and this will all be behind us soon. Then we can move on with
our lives together.”
    He
closed his eyes and just enjoyed the mixture of emotions that coursed through
him. So much was going on within in, but the strongest of it all was the
unending love for both his mates. When he thought of Milo, he wished he was
there and longed for his touch to complete them.
    * * *
    The
house was quiet as Milo made his way down the hall, giving Tad and Courtney
privacy while he took the call from Tex. Hopefully, while he was busy with the
call, she would make progress with Tad. They didn’t have the manpower for the
best warrior among them to be questioning himself. In order to keep Courtney
safe, Tad had to be at his best. That meant moving past what happened to
Rosemarie.
    “Hey,
Tex, what did you find?”
    “Actually,
not a lot. The apartment is immaculate. I believe it’s a decoy. Connor’s
searching property records for anything else in his name or that’s linked to
him. I’ve spoken to the witness, and she even pointed Jeffery out from a photo
line up.”
    “But…”
Milo pressed.
    Tex
remained silent for another moment before answering. “His business partner was
found dead this morning. They’re looking at Jeffery for it. Without the partner
flipping on him for a lighter sentence, probation, it puts the case on shakier
ground even with Courtney’s testimony. His lawyers are all over the news saying
the partner framed him, stole his DNA and everything. If he knocks them both
off, the case is over.”
    “Shit.
The more blood he has on his hands, the easier the kills become.” Milo opened
the curtain enough that he could look out on the grounds without giving anyone
that might there a clear shot. Turi and Tate were just coming around the house,
making their pass along the perimeter.
    “Any
sign of the weather breaking? Maybe you guys can get back to the compound,” Tex
suggested.
    “Not
going to happen right now. We have things lined up for Taber to fly in and get
us at the slightest break in the storm, but this weather is just too nasty to
fly in. Too much ice mixed in with the snow, not to mention the visibility is
no