Page 53 of Rescued Hearts

Felicity let out a soft gasp, her palm suddenly damp in Honor’s hold. She squeezed her sister’s hand tighter. Shaking her head, she tried to make sense of what Gray said. “No. That can’t be. Stuff like that only happens on TV.”

He spread his hands. “He doesn’t work a traditional job, does he?”

“He’s an artist. He does odd jobs to make ends meet when he’s not selling art.”

He continued dropping more bombshells on her. “He pays for everything in cash. No loans, no credit trail. Just enough to stay under the radar…and it worked until now.”

Honor felt the blood drain from her face. This was the man she dated. Lived with for a good portion of her adult life.

At one time, had loved.

“Oh my god,” she groaned.

Gray reached out, his long arm easily able to touch her. When his big hand cupped her cheek, she clung to the lifeline he offered. It steadied her—grounded her.

“Sugar, I’m not telling you this to scare you. I need you to know the truth. I will never keep anything from you.”

Meeting his clear gray eyes, she knew the truth of that to the pit of her soul. He’d already shared more with her than Sully had…well, apparently ever.

At her side, Felicity swallowed audibly. “What now?”

His brows furrowed. Honor could see the gears of his mind grinding over the situation.

“I’m not going to let you two feel helpless.” As if his mind was made up, he gave them a hard nod. “We have plans this afternoon.”

Honor didn’t like the sound of that. If the wobble of her heart was anything to go by, her nerves didn’t either. “What plans?”

“We’re going to the shooting range.”

* * * * *

Gray couldn’t lose anyone else. That was the solitary thought driving him.

From his phone, he checked all the security feeds to ensure every angle of the house was covered and live. Some might call it overkill, but at least his brothers did not.

Hecalled it necessary. If he could have gotten away with digging a moat and tossing in some live gators, he would have done it.

Hell, there was still time to turn Felicity’s house into an impenetrable fortress.

He walked the perimeter, gaze flicking to the cameras his brothers installed on the four corners of the house and in some spots that weren’t as obvious to the common criminal.

Or stalker.

The idea of Honor’s ex following her to Willowbrook made Gray’s fists curl. The fact that he hadn’t shown himself to her made it even more apparent that he had some dark plan in mind.

And the bastard’s use of a false identity was bad enough—where he got that identity was sickening.

He eyed the front lawn. City ordinances would frown on the moat and gators. He’d have to settle for conventional protection. The reinforced perimeter, motion sensors and a damn good security system was the best he could do.

All of it to protect her. Why?

He’d do it for anyone, he told himself. But deep down, he knew there was more to it. Honor had gotten to him in a very short amount of time. Being with her was completely off target for a man like Gray. Even her personality was so far removed from his own, it was a wonder they didn’t want to kill each other.

But her calm, carefree manner was a soothing balm to his prickly soul.

Satisfied he could do no more here, he turned for the house. Honor and her sister were sitting in the kitchen, finishing off cups of coffee as they waited for him to make good on his word to take them to the shooting range.

If he had to guess, both sisters were pacifists through and through. So were all the Malones—until someone broke their trust, and then they could be deadly.

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