Page 5 of Sugar Coated Secrets

“Thank you.”

“Sure.” I face her. “What do you need?” I want to ask, why did you call me and not Dash?

He lives in Atlanta. I was at the farm. When I got her call, I made sure the pilot and helicopter were ready to take me here at a moment’s notice.

Daire bought the chopper so he could fly back to Everleigh if he was in Atlanta on business and she needed him. I thought it was over the top. Now, I’m thankful for it or else it would have taken me two hours to drive here.

“I need a shower.”

“One shower coming up.” I race to the bathroom, get her a towel, and turn on the water so it’s hot for her.

When I return to the kitchen, Sadie’s sweater is off. Her lace sleeve is torn, and the collar of her shirt is ripped. My teeth mash together with the force of a vise grip.

“He did this to you?” I approach her calmly.

She looks at her shirt, her brows drawn. “I guess. I don’t remember it happening.” She sighs. “I really liked this shirt.”

“I’ll buy you a new one,” I blurt.

“That’s okay. I don’t like it anymore.”

My jaw clenches harder. I’m going to find this man and kill him.

Sadie unbuttons the blouse, then slides it off and stuffs it into the trash can.

Her tanned skin catches my gaze, so much on display. Her nude, lace bra hugs her small pert breasts, the mounds swelling nicely from the tops of the cups. I’ve seen her in less, at the estate when we went swimming with Daire and Everleigh. What draws my gaze this time and sparks rage inside me are the bruises on her forearms from the bastard who grabbed her.

I don’t remember walking to her, just that I’m in her space, towering over her and shaking.

“What is it?” she whispers, her hazel eyes widening with fear.

“Your arms…” I brush a finger under one of the bruises.

She looks at her purple skin. “Oh. I didn’t know he left marks.”

“Sadie, I’m…” I struggle to keep my voice calm. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

She nods and inhales a deep breath. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have taken the alley. I?—”

I put a finger to her lips. “You didn’t do anything wrong. He did.”

“But I know better. I nag everyone to be safe all the time, and I didn’t even follow my own advice.”

“It’s over. You’re safe now, and if the cops don’t find the guy who did this to you, I will.”

She lets out a small laugh.

I’m happy to see her smile, even if it doesn’t reach her eyes, but why? “That’s funny to you?”

“Kind of. What are you going to do that the police can’t? I mean, you’re not a detective.”

“I have a PI. A good one.” My gaze drops to her chest and breasts. I quickly force my eyes to hers.

“The PI Daire used to find out about Benedict?” The piece of crap who took advantage of Everleigh back when I graduated from college.

“He told you?” It’s not like him to share that kind of information.

“Everleigh did.”

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