Do Rely on Your Protector (Jewel Family Romance Book 4) Read online

  Breeze tried to squirm away but couldn’t budge him. “Actually, I do. Two more weeks and Ridge and I will have fulfilled our debt to you. Then I’ll take my brother home where he belongs.”

  Flint smiled as if she were being cute. His hand found its way into her hair and he trailed his fingers through it, making her stomach crawl. “Such silky perfection, such a beautiful face.” His eyes dropped to her chest. “Such a perfect body. Spend your nights with me and you can do anything you like in the daytime, and I’ll say the debt is fulfilled after one week.”

  Please help, please help. “No,” she said in as strong a voice as she could, thrusting her chin up and hoping he couldn’t feel her body trembling against his. She uttered desperate internal prayers for help. The good Lord would want to preserve her virtue, right? Sadly, the good Lord probably had no influence over an evil spirit like Flint.

  “No?” He cocked an eyebrow as if he’d never heard the word before.

  “No,” she reaffirmed and was proud that she could meet his eye and her voice sounded level and strong.

  His smile slipped and his eyes turned cold. “I like my women willing,” he said.

  Breeze caught a ragged breath. That was the best news she’d heard in the past ten minutes.

  “But soon you’ll come to me, you’ll beg for me. They always do.” After uttering those disgusting words, he finally stepped back. He watched her like a hawk studying a mouse, knowing the poor mouse has no chance. Even if she slipped into her hole, she’d have to emerge again, and the hawk would be there, ready to pounce.

  Breeze slipped to her hole, or door, and scurried inside, slamming it shut. Her entire body shook as she fumbled to turn the lock. Not that a lock would keep Flint out. She would never be willing to be with that scum and she knew his patience wouldn’t last.

  Falling onto her bed, she fought the tears pricking behind her eyelids. She didn’t want to cry. She had to be strong. Not just for her but for Ridge. If only she could beg Seth to rescue her from this nightmare.

  Chapter Three

  At nine-thirty, Seth was waiting in the trees near the massive cabin where Breeze worked. He searched for her, but only saw a horde of men milling around, drinking, doing drugs, laughing, fighting, and riding dirt bikes. A few women looked like they were enjoying the luxury of the mansion and the men’s company. In Seth’s opinion they dressed and acted like prostitutes, but he tried to remember his mom’s counsel and leave the judgment to the Lord.

  What was his Breeze doing in this crowd? His Breeze. He’d spent far too much of his day thinking about her and imagining what it would be like to be with someone like her. She was definitely different and more intriguing than any woman he’d interacted with before, but he’d only recently met her. He had a race in Minnesota the following weekend, so sadly he wouldn’t be around long enough to get to know her more.

  As he watched the men, he noticed a familiar blond ponytail and large, strong body through the large rear windows of the cabin. Stepping closer, he squinted. His stomach crawled with disgust. Flint Brooks. The loser was an X-games wannabe who’d often tried to buy his way into competitions but never made much progress. Seth had met him a few times. The guy had pretended to be a fan, but Seth had seen the jealousy in Flint’s eyes. More importantly, he’d seen the way Flint treated his cronies as if they were all vermin who lived to be stepped on by him.

  Knowing Flint was here made him want to rescue Breeze even more. She’d claimed she wasn’t in danger, but Seth felt like she was. It wasn’t just his selfish motivation of wanting more time with her. She was in with a rough crowd. Even if she was the maid and cook, he’d seen the way those men looked at her last night. She definitely wasn’t safe here.

  He saw Breeze walking out of a large garage around the side of the house. She ran towards the trees. Seth’s stomach hopped and he found himself smiling with the anticipation to see her. He rushed to her, skirting around the trees.

  There she was. The long sheet of blonde hair seemed to shine in the twilight. Her deep brown eyes widened in surprise and grew warm.

  “Seth!”

  She surprised him by throwing her arms around his neck.

  Seth caught her against him and held her there. She felt small in his arms, as if he could break her. But as she hugged him tighter, he felt the strength behind her gentle frame. He breathed in the honey scent in her hair and buried his nose in the softness of it, inhaling deeply.

  She pulled back and gave a nervous giggle. “Sorry. I was just so excited to see you.”

  He smiled, wishing that he could hold her for a little longer. “I didn’t mind.”

  She smiled shyly. “How was your day?”

  “Awful.”

  “No. Why?”

  He edged in closer, wanting to wrap her up in his arms again. “I was worried about you.”

  “Oh.” She suddenly wouldn’t meet his gaze, studying the pine tree next to him. “You shouldn’t worry. I’m fine. Just working long hours cooking and cleaning.” She gave him a very forced smile. “Definitely boring but not dangerous. What did you do today?”

  She seemed hungry for details of his life and quick to move the focus off her own. He’d give her a break, for now, but he didn’t know if he could let her go back into that madhouse of a cabin. “My family’s all here through Sunday so we hung out together. Went on a mountain bike ride, a hike, and then a Razor ride through the mountains, swam in the pool, played board games and read stories with Paisley.”

  “Who’s Paisley?”

  “My niece. She’s adorable. She makes us all laugh. She’s the only grandchild, so you can just imagine how my parents spoil her.”

  “I used to have grandparents,” she mused. “My mom’s parents. I never knew my dad’s. My grandparents were nice. They always had ice cream bars in the freezer for Ridge and I.”

  Before Seth could open his mouth to ask more about Ridge, she asked, “Was Mar there?”

  He thought it was cute that she was asking about Mar. “Yeah. I talked to her about you.”

  “You did?” Breeze shifted uncomfortably. “A famous lady like that doesn’t want to hear about somebody who scrubs crap off toilets.”

  He laughed at her blunt description but sobered up when he saw her looking down at the forest floor. “She wanted to hear all about you,” Seth reiterated. “Especially when she heard how interested I was in you.”

  Breeze’s large dark-brown eyes seemed to grow larger in her angelic face. “You … You? Interested in me?” She faltered back a step.

  Seth held up his hands, hoping he hadn’t upset her. He knew he was intimidating to some people because of his large stature and his success but he never intended to be. He certainly didn’t want to intimidate her. She’d seemed so strong and calm, but what did he know? He should back off. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come on too strong.”

  She shook her head, her sheet of hair falling around her shoulders. “It’s not you. I just feel like I’m in some wonderful dream when I’m around you. No way could someone like you be interested in me.”

  “Why not?” Did she lack confidence around men? Or maybe it was his wealth and status. How could he explain that he didn’t care about her financial situation? He wasn’t after someone with Instagram followers or gobs of makeup. He liked her clean beauty and the obvious faith that shone from her dark brown eyes.

  She didn’t answer him but looked back through the trees toward the mansion filled with selfish, rowdy men.

  There was a stigma about motocross racers that Seth kept trying to buck against by staying far away from alcohol, drugs, and the hordes of women who followed the circuit and by praying before and after every event. When interviewed, he gave credit to the good Lord above and his family.

  “I don’t think this is your crowd of choice,” he said gently.

  Breeze’s mouth twisted and her dark eyes flashed. “No,” she pushed out, “but it seems to be my lot in life.”

  That made his heart k
ink. He’d been born to a happy family, pure love, and privilege. He always donated the proceeds from each win to different charities, but what did he really understand about going without or being part of a rough home life as she must be intoning?

  “Can I help you escape from it?” he asked. He wanted to be her hero, her champion. It was crazy, but he felt it deeply.

  Her eyes darted to his and seemed to beg for him to rescue her, but there was a spark of pride in her eyes that both impressed and concerned him. Would she accept his help?

  She wrapped her arms around herself, looked away, and muttered, “My brother owes Flint Brooks a lot of money. That’s why I’m here. We’re both working it off.”

  Seth was relieved she wasn’t here by choice and thought it was honorable that she was helping her brother. He’d do the same for any of his siblings. Yet something about Flint Brooks and “working it off” had him on edge. “Has Flint tried to …” He couldn’t spit it out. It made his stomach churn and his spine prickle. If Flint had so much as touched her, Seth was storming in that cabin and ripping the man apart.

  She wouldn’t look at him, but instead muttered, “He’s offered. I’ve said no.” She pushed out a breath. “He told me that he likes his women willing.”

  Seth’s stomach rolled. Flint might claim that, but Seth knew a man like that was just toying with Breeze. He couldn’t imagine Flint would wait long for a beauty like Breeze to succumb to him. She was in danger here. If not from Flint, then from one of the other drugged up men.

  “How much does your brother owe him?” he asked quietly, not wanting to think any longer about Flint touching Breeze.

  “Twenty thousand.” Her jaw was tight, and her shoulders rounded slightly as if the burden were too much. “But we’ve worked some of it off,” she rushed to say. “He’s paying us each fifty dollars an hour and we’re working twelve hours per day so only two more weeks and we’re free. That’s five times what either of us makes back home so it’s pretty generous.”

  Seth had so many thoughts rolling through his head at her last statements. First, though he recognized that twenty thousand dollars would be a lot of money to somebody who only made ten dollars an hour, it would only make a dent in his monthly income.

  Second, he wanted to explain to her that Flint probably didn’t plan on freeing them until he’d taken advantage of Breeze. The jerk didn’t know the meaning of the word “generous”, unless it applied to giving drugs and alcohol to his entourage to keep them from rioting.

  “Breeze.” He caught her delicate hand and held it between both of his. He knew he had to protect her. “I want you to wait right here for me. I’ll go get the twenty grand and get you out of here.”

  “You have twenty grand?” Her eyes bugged out for a second, but then resolve tightened her jaw and she yanked her hand free and backed up. She shook her head violently. “No way. I’m not a charity case. I’m not taking your money.”

  Seth’s neck heated up, but at the same time he gained even more respect for her that she didn’t want the handout. “I didn’t say you were a charity case,” he said gently, but he had to lay it out there. She couldn’t be so innocent that she didn’t recognize the bad situation she was in. “Breeze you have to recognize the danger you’re in with these men. Any one of them could hurt you, take advantage of you.”

  Fear flickered through her dark eyes, but she seemed to conquer it quickly. She nodded. “I know, but I think Flint has claimed me or something. They look plenty and say gross stuff, but none of the rest of the scum have tried to touch me or anything.”

  “It doesn’t mean they won’t,” he flung back at her. Why wouldn’t she take his money? Flint had “claimed” her? He was going to puke. “Don’t go back. Come with me to my parents’ and first thing tomorrow we’ll take the cash and go pay the debt. Then you can go home.”

  “You aren’t paying my debt, and I can’t leave Ridge.” She stared at him with those dark eyes as if it were the last time. She gave a little cry, turned, and ran for the cabin.

  “Breeze, stop!”

  Seth started forward but she looked over her shoulder, gave him a fierce glare and mouthed, “Please, don’t.” Then she turned forward and pounded up the patio steps to the main floor.

  Seth watched in torment as she went in the rear patio doors and wound through the men on the main floor and then up the grand staircase until she disappeared up the next set of steps like she had the night before .

  He was torn and sick to his stomach. Every part of him wanted to chase after her, yank her from that den of losers, and carry her home to safety. Yet she obviously didn’t want him to. Was it simply her pride? Her love for her brother? He fell for her even deeper in that moment. He’d never had a woman turn him down. He’d never known someone who had so little adamantly refuse help.

  He loved that she was strong, full of pride, and so loyal to her brother that she’d put herself at risk to protect him. He knew his brothers and sisters would do the same for him. Yet Breeze … Wow. She was impressive in her naïve bravery. She was in danger, yet she refused to leave.

  It took everything in him to not rush after her and carry her away from here. He liked being the hero and he liked knowing he could easily solve problems with his money, his talent, and his ability to win any fist fight he’d ever been in.

  His respect for Breeze and her misguided pride was the only thing that helped him make the heavy steps back home. Yet his mind was spinning with solutions and ideas, and he started praying for her protection and to know which path to take. There had to be a way to free Breeze, show her how he cared for her without pushing her away. If only he could see the clear path that could lead him to Breeze being safe and sound, and in his arms.

  Chapter Four

  And just like that Breeze was back facedown, crying on the bed in her temporary room. She could hardly believe that Seth had admitted to being interested in her and offered to pay Ridge’s debt and set her free, and like an arrogant idiot she walked away. The only thing she’d ever truly owned in her life, truly known was hers, was her pride. Except for when neighbors back home brought by a loaf of bread or a plate of cookies, she’d taken care of herself and Ridge and never, ever taken a handout. She had even become downright feisty in refusing money or clothes or any sort of help from well-meaning neighbors.

  Yet Seth … had there ever been a man so incredible, kind, and thoughtful? He truly would’ve paid her debt. That was a huge amount of money and he’d acted like it was nothing. She couldn’t stand the thought of owing him so much.

  Not only that, he’d offered to have her come stay at his parents’ house! She looked down at the t-shirt and shorts she’d lived in the past three days. She showered often and tried to stay clean, but it was downright gross to be wearing the same clothes three days going. She couldn’t imagine how much she’d stick out in his family—like a filthy pig in a thoroughbred stallion’s spotless barn stall. Goodness.

  She curled onto her side, said her hundredth prayer of the day for protection and strength, and blessedly fell asleep. When she awoke before dawn, she forced herself out of bed and into the shower. She’d showered last night but constantly felt dirty in this house. The shower helped her wake up and feel like she could face the day.

  She told herself it was just another day of cooking and cleaning and trying to stay away from Flint and ignore the leering looks from the other gross men, but it felt so much heavier and harder. Why had she rejected Seth’s offer? Oh yeah, her miserable, stupid, high-handed pride. She wanted to rewind last night and beg Seth to pay the debt and take her and Ridge far from here. No. Her brother had made this mess and, somehow, they’d get through it together, like they always did. There was no reason to make herself more miserable and dwell on what she couldn’t have. Seth Jewel was an unrealistic dream.

  Dressing in that same t-shirt and shorts, she once again wished that she had other clothes, but she hadn’t originally planned on staying. She bravely walked out of her room an
d down both flights of stairs. The early morning was her favorite time as most of the men left her alone. They were usually sleeping off whatever drugs and alcohol they’d filled their bodies with the night before.

  She started the coffee and then re-cleaned the kitchen and main living area. After cleaning the mess the men had left, she started cooking. It was almost nine when the hungover occupants of the mansion started wandering into the kitchen and grabbing eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fruit off the platters she’d filled with her hard work. Some of them thanked her, more of them seemed to check her out, but thankfully they seemed reluctant to go beyond that. She wondered what Flint may have told them. As long as they stayed away, and Flint didn’t come after her again, she didn’t care. Sadly she knew her illusions of safety were just that.

  There was a loud rap on the front door and it sprang open. Breeze had a clear view of the door across the huge open area of the main floor. When she recognized who was standing in the door frame, she dropped a pancake on the floor.

  “Seth,” she gasped.

  His incredibly welcoming blue eyes swung around the room until he spotted her. He stepped into the entryway, ignoring everyone else, and gestured for her to come to him. Breeze wondered if he didn’t want to turn his back to any of the men on the main level. She wondered why he had come when she’d told him last night that he couldn’t pay her debt. Did he have another idea? Was he going to swoop her off her feet and take her away from here? She’d dreamt about that very thing all night, but she still knew she couldn’t leave Ridge behind.

  She had the presence of mind to flip the pancakes off the griddle and unplug it before she wiped her trembling hands on a dishtowel and slowly crossed the room to him.

  “You’re Seth Jewel,” she heard one of the men say to Seth before she reached him.

  Seth kept his gaze on her and extended his hand. Breeze reached him and clasped his hand. The warmth of his palm and strength of his grip reassured her and helped her stay on her feet. What was his plan? How was she supposed to respond? She’d dreamt all night about a do-over and here it was. Yet could she let down her pride, and in front of all these awful men?