Sinful Possession Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t
protect her.
    “If she’s still missing in
the morning, her family will notice. You will terrify them.”
    Ash pinched the bridge of
his nose. “I am aware of that.”
    “Can we not just convince
them to hire some protection? Then go to the papers or something? Or the
police?”
    “I...” The truth of it was,
he inexplicably did not want to leave her side. There was something about
her—something beneath that elegant gown and beautiful face that called to him.
    Lord, but he was a fool. He
needed to sleep. The after-effects of the headache were addling his wits.
    “No.” He shook his head. “We
don’t know who else could be in on this. If Newton Holdsworth, Chief
Superintendent has been killing for a while he could have people in the police
department covering for him.” Ash gave his brother a severe look. “You know,
you’re likely in danger too.”
    “I didn’t see his face. I
only know what you told me.” Harris pushed a hand through his hair. “It’s
pretty hard to believe.” He held up a hand before Ash could speak. “Not that I
don’t believe you. Of course I do. But I’m your brother. I can’t see
others being so easily convinced. For all we know, he’ll make good on his
threat and frame you as the killer.”
    “And he’s got the means to
do it.” Ash pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the slight ache that hadn’t
left him all night grow. “I have to get her to safety. Once she’s safe, we can
figure out how to reveal this man.”
    His brother gave a low chuckle.
“You know of all of us, I never would have thought you’d be the one to kidnap a
woman. Jasper, perhaps. Maybe even Pierce. But you...”
    “Jasper wouldn’t need to
kidnap a woman. He only needs to look at them and their clothes fall off.”
    “Come now, I do not do so
badly myself.”
    Ash couldn’t help but let
out a dry chuckle. His brothers had always done well with the ladies. He was no
virgin, but his headaches often scuppered any plans of seduction and his
reputation for being late and unreliable never did him any favours. However,
Jasper could beat them all hands down, and he was convinced Harris was mightily
jealous of the fact.
    “I’d wager Jasper has bedded
ten times the amount of women you have. And wasn’t there that rumour about a
French countess before he married Harriet?”
    “Yes, a rumour. I’d wager
our brother used to make up half of that nonsense himself.”
    “Jealous, Harris?”
    “Not at all. Besides, if
anyone should be jealous, it should be you. If you made a little effort, you’d
do well enough with the ladies.”
    “Well, perhaps I do not wish
to make the effort.”
    Harris drew in an audible
breath. His family had long resigned themselves to the fact he was the way he
was. Tired, late, lazy. Better that than weak and sick as far as he was
concerned.
    The door rattled behind him
and another shout sounded.
    “The beast has awakened.”
    Ash narrowed his gaze at his
brother.
    He held up his hands and
grinned. “I won’t envy you when you have to release her.”
    Considering how furious she’d
been when he’d stepped into the room and tried to assuage her before stepping
out quickly to lock the door, he didn’t envy himself either. He pinched the
bridge of his nose and released a long breath. This night had been disastrous.
Westerling dead, a serial killer on the loose and a pretty—no, beautiful—woman
locked up in his house. The Cynfell brothers were excellent at getting
themselves into trouble, but this was beyond ridiculous.
    “We’ll leave before dawn.
Once she’s calm, she will realise how much danger she’s in.”
    “You know, if it is
discovered you took her, they’ll likely expect you to marry her.”
    Marriage. The word usually
sent a shudder through every one of them. His eldest brother had lost several
wives—one of whom betrayed him. And their parents had suffered an awful
marriage. Although four of his brothers seemed happy, he had concluded