Free Burning Heart: Fighting Heart Erotic Bad Boy Romance Series Book 4 by Nicole Hamilton

warming, but no sooner was it inside his stomach than Cody started to feel sleepy. There was no time for tiredness today. He poured another coffee and pressed on. By now they were discussing their third possible plan.
    “If you haven’t heard from Brandon or Amanda by now we have to assume she’s either on our side, or is currently struggling as to what to do with what she saw,” said Cody.
    “That sounds about right. She’ll blow with any wind which looks strongest, but she’ll want it to blow our way deep down.”
    “Are you sure, Ash? She slept with Brandon again last night. She was wearing his shirt this morning when I saw her. The girl is infatuated with him. We have to get this over with before she caves in.”
    Ashley’s tired eyes glazed and she looked pained.
    “You’re right. This is getting worse with every moment. I could call him now. I could call Brandon and tell him that it’s over - for Regan’s sake – I could go back to him. I’d leave again at the earliest opportunity of course, and I’ll come back…” she almost added ‘to you’ and Cody knew it. The words she didn’t say warmed him but the idea that she would sacrifice herself again enraged him.
    “No. I won’t ever let you do that again. He’ll destroy you, Ashley.” He heard his own rage. He was shocked by it. Ashley’s eyes widened, and her glossy lips tried to make a word but she stayed speechless. Her eyes were about to fill with tears, but she snapped out of it just in time. Tears were always a no-no. Instead, Ashley gave him eyes full of gratitude… and something else. He reached out and touched her cheek. Do it , he told himself. Kiss her. And yet he didn’t want to take advantage of the girl he cared about. This had to be done the right way. Ashley broke the silence. “Thank you. Thank you, Cody. This morning you found them. And now you’re helping me work out what to do about it.”
    “And later I’ll help you get your brother safe. Would I be anywhere else, Ash?”
    “That’s what I mean, Cody. You’re fantastic.”
    “No. I’m really not.”
    Cody’s jacket pocket vibrated with a text. He ignored it. Ashley didn’t notice the quiet buzz and he was glad of it. Right now he didn’t have the time or inclination to let Joanna ruin this all over again. Besides they had work to do.
    “You’re right, though Ashley.”
    “I’m right? About which part. You being fantastic?”
    “No,” he said, attempting a smile. “Well maybe.”  His face turned grim He had to accept the unacceptable. “I mean about going back to Brandon. I think he needs to think you’re coming back to him. I know it’s risky, but it’s the only way that door will open for us.”
    “But what I just said.” she sipped her coffee.
    “No. Not at all. He’ll think you’re going back to him, but the only reason you’re there is to open the door for me. And when the door is open I’ll get in, find Regan and we’ll get him out.”
    “But what about Brandon?”  Cody saw the look in her eyes. She didn’t want to upset Cody, but she had seen Brandon overpower him in York. Cody couldn’t help but feel stung.
    “I’ll come prepared this time, Ashley. This time we know he’s a psycho. Kidnapping people equals psycho to me. Which means I’d be insane not to carry a weapon this time around.”
    “What kind of weapon, Cody?”
    “A bat, a metal bar, I don’t know, something I can swing if he comes near me.”
    She gave him serious eyes, but soon relented. Desperate times called for desperate measures.
    “If you say so. As a last resort.”
    “You’re brother. He’s the wayward type, right? Can he fight? The wayward types usually do.”
    “He can fight. He was always fighting. But you’d have to find him and free him first. And he’d have to be well enough…”
    “A swinging bat and a loud shout can be very persuasive.”
    “I bet,” said Ashley. She remembered Terry and his offer of help. Now they were so close maybe