Theirs to Keep Read Online Free PDF

you’ve done it. Most people would have washed their hands of me within minutes.”
    Cade scowled. “There was no way in hell Merrick and I were leaving you on your own. You need our help, and you’re going to get it.”
    She reached clumsily with her bandaged hand and curled her fingers around his. “Thank you.”
    He felt that simple touch all the way to his heart. She was clearly terrified and uncertain, but it seemed she’d determined that she trusted him and Merrick both. Satisfaction ripped through his chest. He wanted her to trust him. Wanted her to have no qualms about depending on them.
    Damn it, he wanted her to be his. He already thought of her as his. He doubted Merrick felt any different. The big man had been awfully growly and possessive when it came to her.
    And it all caused a huge problem. They knew nothing about her or her past, and neither did she. She could already belong to someone. Hell, she could have a husband and a family somewhere. There could be people worried about her, and yet he and Merrick hadn’t done what they should have. They hadn’t taken her to the police or the hospital.
    But her terror was very real when it came to mentioning police and hospitals, and Dallas had confirmed it. And Cade didn’t think for one moment this woman had done anything wrong. She was clearly a victim, and he wasn’t about to set her up for more brutalization by turning her over to the wrong people.
    Until her memory came back and she could decide for herself, she was staying with him and Merrick, and fuck anyone who said differently.

C H A P T E R     S I X
     
    “YOU MAY AS WELL SAY what’s on your mind,” Cade said, without looking up from the stove.
    Merrick had walked into the kitchen five minutes ago, slid into one of the chairs by the bar but hadn’t said a word.
    Merrick wasn’t much of a talker, at least on a deeper level. He could bullshit with the best. He also managed to get his point across with no problems. But Cade always knew when something was eating at him, because he always went all quiet and brooding.
    He and Merrick went way back. They’d been friends since grade school. Dallas too. The three had been inseparable even when life had taken them in different directions after high school.
    Cade had known he wanted to go into business for himself. Dallas had gone to medical school and after residency had opened his clinic. Though he was loyal to Merrick, Dallas had a calling to provide health care for disadvantaged families. But then they’d all grown up poor and knew what it was like to have little or nothing.
    Merrick had gotten his MBA in order to help Cade with the business, but his heart had been with a career in mixed martial arts. After getting his degree, he’d devoted his efforts to training and working his way up the food chain.
    He’d started in local gyms and on local fight tickets. He worked hard and would fight anyone willing to enter the ring. As a result, he’d been offered a contract with an international fighting association, and now he was one fight away from the possibility of a title bout with the current heavyweight champion.
    Cade handled the bulk of the business, but Merrick helped when he wasn’t training. When Merrick traveled for a fight, Cade and Dallas always accompanied him. In a lot of ways, Merrick was the glue that held the friendship together because Merrick was the common denominator. Without him, Cade would be busy with his business, and Dallas would be immersed in his clinic.
    Cade’s dad was involved in the business as well as Merrick’s training. He was an invaluable source of support whether it was building Merrick up or helping Cade when Merrick wasn’t available.
    They owed a lot to his old man, and Cade knew that Merrick considered him a father every bit as much as Cade did. And to Charlie Walker, Cade, Merrick and Dallas were his boys. It didn’t matter how old they got to be. He still threatened to tan their asses when they got