Free Absolution (The Protectors, Book 1) by Sloane Kennedy

apartment, I found myself stopping at a small, shabby liquor store. The feel of the paper wrapped bottle felt comforting in my hand as I climbed the stairs to the rat trap I was staying in but I knew that I wouldn’t be drinking even a drop of it. The first thing I’d do after unlocking the door was dump every drop of the pretty amber colored liquid down the kitchen drain. I couldn’t explain why the ritual worked for me, it just did.
    That was the plan anyway. But as soon as the door swung open, I knew I wasn’t alone. It took just seconds to pull my gun from my ankle holster since my other one was tucked away in my toolbox. I began methodically clearing each room as I moved towards the back of the small apartment but once I reached the bathroom, I already suspected who my unwanted guest was. But when I stepped into the small room, I froze at the sight of the man holding my rifle, the barrel pointed in the same direction I’d been pointing it for the better part of a month. The scope that I had removed the day before was once again affixed to the gun. I glanced out the window and saw that Jonas was in his spot by the window, his paintbrush in hand, a blank canvas in front of him. At any other time, I would have been pleased to see him back to doing what he normally did, but in that moment all I felt was fear since I knew what an easy target he was. And Ronan Grisham wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger…nor would he miss.
    I actually felt my hand tightening on my gun as my options fired through my brain. Would I really be willing to take the life of the man who’d saved mine?
    “He is beautiful,” I heard Ronan murmur as he kept his eye on the scope. Tension rolled through me as I locked my eyes on his finger which was resting lightly on the trigger. He held there for several long seconds before he finally lifted his head and glanced over his shoulder at me. His eyes settled on my gun which I still had resting by my leg and I had no doubt that he knew exactly what I’d been contemplating. I didn’t relax even a little bit as he unfolded his big body and stood. Ronan was one of the most lethal men I knew and also one of the most unreadable so I didn’t move or even breathe as he closed the distance between us. It wasn’t until he handed the rifle to me that I finally took a breath.
    “You should have kissed him when you had the chance,” Ronan said as he moved past me.
    I flinched at the realization that he’d been watching me and Jonas when I’d gone to get ice for my hand. It took me several long seconds to get myself under control and follow him. I found him in the kitchen studying the bottle of liquor I’d left on the counter as I’d made my sweep of the apartment. It was foolish considering what had just transpired between us but him seeing the bottle of liquor actually made me feel ashamed.
    Everything about Ronan was dark and dangerous. At 6’5’, he matched me in height and build but I knew from experience that he could take me in any fight. He was the only man I’d ever truly feared and not just because he could best me physically. He knew all of my weaknesses, and he knew that the things he’d done for me had bought and paid for my absolute, unquestioning loyalty…until now.
    Ronan’s gray eyes finally shifted to me but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he pulled a business-sized envelope from his pocket and handed it to me. I leaned the rifle against the counter, making sure it was out of Ronan’s reach, and then tucked the revolver in the waistband of my pants.
    “You wanted to know his connection to the Prescotts.”
    I didn’t miss the fact that Ronan didn’t use Jonas’s name. There were several pages in the envelope but I knew within seconds of reading the first few lines what I was looking at. It was an email transcript between Jonas and Devlin Prescott.
    I need you, Jonas. Our place. Tomorrow.
    I can’t wait to feel you inside me again Devlin-
    Disgust rolled through me as I