“You know Kit and Kemper won’t approve of this. Right?”
“Until we get a good feel of how Morgan responds to her training, I don’t want to tell them she’s here.”
“We can’t let anything happen to her, Grant. I mean it. One of us must be with her at all times. If she came home looking for help and we run her off before Kit and Kemper have a chance to see her, they’ll never forgive us.”
“I’m still not convinced she came here for help.”
“You don’t buy the Nashville story.”
“I believe about half. I think she needed a break from the whole Kilo scene,” Grant said. “If we hadn’t walked in this house when we did, Morgan would’ve left here the same way she ran away years ago—with full pockets and a letter left behind on the table. Question is, what would Kilo do with her once she returned to Memphis? After talking to him, I’m not convinced he’s ready to let her go.”
“Me either. Guys like Kilo look for gals like Morgan.”
“Yeah,” Grant agreed. “And she’s the goose laying the golden eggs.”
“Exactly.”
“So you aren’t buying her little spiel, either?”
“Nope. Not now.” A beat later Blake added, “I wanted to believe her. I needed to trust her again. Now, I understand what we used to preach a long time ago. Trust is earned.”
“Unfortunately, a drug addict has a hard time earning that trust back once it’s lost.”
“Who knows, maybe we’ll never trust her completely.”
“I can live with that.”
“I hope so,” Blake said. “Because love without trust is a tough obstacle to overcome. I should know.”
Grant shrugged. “You can’t blame Morgan for that entirely. Greed got in the way.”
Blake snickered. “It was a little more than greed, don’t ’cha think?”
Grant held his breath and then slapped Blake on the back, releasing a sudden sigh. “What can I say? I love to see that pretty little body move.”
“You ain’t the only one.”
Chapter Five
“Kilo? Is that you? Kilo?” Morgan strained to make out the image in the doorway. “Are you here to kill me?” Using the scarves tied to her hands, Morgan hoisted herself away from the mattress. “I’ve missed you, Kilo. You know I have. I would’ve come home soon. Here, untie me. I’ll show you how much you mean to me, and you can give me what I need. Okay?”
“No,” the voice said. Only, the voice didn’t sound like Kilo’s deep, wicked voice. Instead, it sounded like Blake. He eased over to the bed and sat down.
She blinked. Was she in immediate danger? Had Blake and Grant given Kilo access to her? Were they part of the coalition to destroy her? Did she fear Kilo or not? She writhed against the bindings. She wasn’t sure. She couldn’t be certain of anything. Her thoughts were too jumbled.
“Morgan, honey, you’re fine. It’s Blake. Kilo isn’t here.”
“No, I’m not fine! Where are Blake and Grant? Why are you here? How’d you get in? Why are you saying you’re Blake? Why are my hands tied up? Free me right now!”
“Morgan, it’s Blake, honey. You’re home. You’re safe. You don’t need Kilo anymore, and he won’t harm you. You’re with men who love you. Grant and I only want to help you. Remember? We’ve talked about this.”
“Why are you saying I don’t need you, Kilo? And how are you able to talk like Blake? This is crazy! Help! Somebody help me!” Morgan jerked. Her wrists were bound. She remembered Blake and Grant tying her wrists and ankles. Why had she ever agreed to let them tie her up? How had she gotten herself into a situation from which she’d never escape?
Large hands slowly came forward. She glared at the magnified splayed fingers. There were ten on each hand. She fought against the grip that snapped around her shoulders. Kilo’s hands were firmer than ever before. His strength was overpowering.
The devil must’ve sent him to deliver death’s final call.
“I need crystal. Give me what I want, and I’ll do anything I can to make you happy! I just can’t stand this!”
“Morgan, you’re hallucinating. You’re hearing and seeing things that aren’t here.”
“That’s wrong!” she screamed. “You’re trying to kill me. The evil coalition and its forces sent you to finish me off! You have five heads! Ten fingers on each hand!”
“No, Morgan. Listen to my voice. Hear what I’m saying to you. Come on, baby. Find your way back to me. Try, Morgan. Fight, honey. You can’t beat this thing if you don’t try.”