Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) by Kaylie Hunter (dar e dil novel online reading txt) 📕

“She ordered Tyler to shoot Grady or Sebrina if they cross onto her property.” He looked around at the men. “How many of you are willing to pull the trigger if it comes to that? That’s the question being asked of you if you want permission to cross the road.”

The men looked away, almost tormented by the thought. Bones reached out and grabbed Bridget’s hand, kissing her knuckles before intertwining their fingers as he led her over to stand behind me. “Don’t cross the highway, Grady. I don’t want to shoot you, brother, but I will.”

Donovan crossed his arms over his chest and nodded at Grady. “I will, too. I’ll hate myself, but I’ll do it.”

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Grady said, running his free hand through his hair.

Wayne stepped forward, standing beside Grady. “Kelsey, I’d give my life for you or your family. Most of us would. I don’t have it in me to shoot Grady, though. Not even if he held a gun to my head. I’ll honor your wishes and stay on this side of the highway.”

“Your honesty is appreciated. No hard feelings,” I said.

Tweedle walked over, leaving Ryan and standing beside me.

“Babe,” Ryan said, slowly shaking his head. “What are you doing?”

Tweedle shrugged. “While you were gone, Kelsey saved me from being shot and also stopped me from being decapitated. If the price to pay is shooting two people I don’t know, I’ll pay it.”

“Do you even know how to shoot?” I asked her.

“My uncle’s a cop. He taught me how to shoot and makes me go to the firing range twice a year,” she answered, nodding. “He just doesn’t let me walk with a loaded gun.”

Ryan sighed, placing his hands on his hips and looking at the parking lot.

“When Tweedle visits, we’ll protect her like she’s one of our own,” I said to Ryan. “Donovan or Bones will escort her back and forth as needed. There’s no reason for you to commit to something we both know you can’t do.”

“Grady saved my life more than once overseas. I can’t do it. I can’t agree to shooting him.”

“He did?” Tweedle asked, looking over at Grady with appreciation. “I didn’t know that.”

“Relax, Tweedle,” Bridget said, grinning. “No one is dumb enough to hand you a loaded gun. You’d never be put in a position to shoot Grady.”

She giggled. “Whew. That’s a relief.”

“Wait—” Ryan said. “How were you almost decapitated? And why don’t I know about this?”

“Ryan, dude, you don’t want that mental image,” Bridget said before looking over at Jackson. “Jackson? Where do you stand?”

Jackson glared at me. “What about Reggie?”

“Reggie doesn’t get a vote,” I said, shaking my head. “He goes where you go. Even if he fired a gun, it’s likely he’d miss.”

Several of the guys chuckled.

“Are you really making me decide?” Jackson walked within a few feet of me. The veins in his biceps threatened to break through the skin as he gripped his fists in tight knots. “You’ve called me your brother for years, and this is what it comes down to? Fuck you, Kelsey!” Jackson stormed toward Headquarters, followed by Wayne and several others.

“What about me?” Trigger asked.

“You’re on this side of the highway,” I answered. “Sorry, Trigger. We haven’t worked together long enough for me to allow you to cross.”

“I’ve shot three people with tranquilizer guns on this side! I did it because you ordered me to!”

“Are you worried about retaliation, my friend?” Casey asked, throwing an arm over his shoulder. “Relax. We’ve all done shit because of orders. No one will hold it against you.”

“Wanna bet?” Grady said, glaring over at Trigger.

“He’s off limits, Grady,” Donovan ordered. “He’s still an employee.”

Grady shrugged, not committing to anything.

I doubted Grady would actually go after Trigger. He preferred intimidation over beat-downs. This new Grady was a stranger to me, though.

“Donovan, I need a private word,” I said, walking away from those who remained.

Donovan followed me away from the crowd until I was sure we wouldn’t be overheard.

“Shit. That was intense,” Donovan whispered. “I hope you have a plan to fix this mess.”

“I have several. We can discuss in more detail later. We’ll meet at your house after dinner.”

“Why not your house?”

“The seams of my house are ready to burst. It’s now the school, the nursery, and my office. Your house is better. Fewer ears. We’ll meet in your basement.”

“What do you need until then?”

“Go through the client files with Wayne and turn everyone away except for a minor actress by the name of Daphne Davenport. We’ll keep her safe, but I plan on exposing her lies this weekend.”

“What is she lying about?”

“I think she invented her stalker for the attention.”

Donovan shook his head, perplexed by the concept. “What the hell. I’ll play along.”

“Deal. I best get going before Grady starts round three.”

“Pops took your car, so take mine. I’ll walk or get a ride.” He handed me his keys.

“Watch out for vans filled with armed men if you walk.”

Donovan looked over his shoulder at the road. “Oh, hell, yeah. I’ll definitely walk home.”

I made my way toward Donovan’s SUV and whistled, getting Bridget, Tech, and Tyler’s attention and nodding toward Donovan’s ride.

“Kelsey,” Grady called out. “Can you give me a minute?”

He motioned for Sebrina to wait before he jogged over to me. I secretly hoped he’d tell me it was all a lie or that I’d misunderstood. The hard set of his jaw and cold glare of his eyes told me that wasn’t the case.

“Make it quick. I need to get home.”

“I want to see Nicholas.”

“No.”

“Just let me talk to him.”

“No.”

I climbed inside Donovan’s SUV and closed the door, turning over the engine. Grady started yelling at me