RUSH (Montgomery Men Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

and if you saw him on the streets you would probably do all you could to avoid him. But inside he was kind and generous, a big ol’ bear of a man that had a soft spot for me.
    He reminded me so much of my father.
    Rig had been by my side for the last month. He would help me with my final move, as Richey’s gang guaranteed only six months of safety. After that it was up to me to keep myself and my true identity hidden.
    I lifted my hand to my hair and ran my finger through the softness. “It was either brown or purple. I figured brown was less flashy, even though I would have loved the purple.”
    He chuckled as he placed the bag on the table just on the other side of my motel bed. “You know Lucy would have helped you with that.”
    Lucy was Rig’s wife, who was almost as rough as he was. She had tattoos lining her arms and one that even went up the side of her neck, but she was one of the sweetest women I had ever met. I’d wished more than once I could reach out to Adeline and thank her for saving me, but I knew I couldn’t. And I also knew she understood just how thankful I was. Lucy filled that void.
    I’d never realized until now just how much I needed to feel loved. I didn’t have it in my marriage, and I didn’t have friends I could turn to for support. My father was all I had, and when he was gone I truly had nothing.
    Until now.
    “I know, but you said I should start taking control of my life, so this is my first step,” I said with a smile.
    Rig grinned and nodded toward the bag. “You need to eat, girl, and then get some sleep. Tomorrow morning we move you to your new place.”
    I tried not to show the fear I felt when he said those words, but apparently I’m transparent.
    “It’s all right,” he assured me. “Tomorrow you start your new life as Kiera Masterson in the amazing city of New York. The Big Apple, darlin’, but I will never be too far away.” I locked eyes with him, and that grin of his returned. “I know it’s supposed to end after this move, kid’, but Lucy and I’ve grown slightly attached to ya.”
    I closed my eyes tightly to fight off the emotions I’d been trying so hard to control. Knowing Rig and Lucy were in my corner, by my side, made this entire situation so much easier to face.
    “You know I love you, right?” I told him, and he hung his head and chuckled. He wasn’t the kind of guy who got all mushy and sweet. “I know you don’t want to hear it, or maybe you do and you’re just being stubborn.” That made his chuckle turn into laughter as he looked back up at me. I knew it was his way of hiding his emotions, because I could see his eyes were glossy. “But I do. You and Lucy have really helped me over the last month. I’ll be forever grateful for the things you’ve taught me, and the strength you’ve given me. I know I’ll be all right. I know I’ll get through this, but knowing you two are close by helps more than you’ll ever know. You’re both family to me, and I love the both of you so very much.”
    “Ah, sweetheart, we love you too.”
    That was big. And it was all I needed to hear to know that I had this. I would survive this and I’d be the strong Kiera Masterson I’d been led to be. I’d prepared for this role every day for the last six months. And over the last month Lucy had taught me to hold my head high and be confident and proud. Together we had created a new me. This and the skills Rig had taught me meant I now knew how to protect myself. I felt like I could conquer my life, and it would all start tomorrow.

ASHTON
    I NEEDED TO STOP LETTING my fucking brother convince me to go out with him, I thought as I stretched my arms above my head. My mouth was pasty, and my fucking head was pounding like a jackhammer had been going at it.
    When I lowered my arms, I made contact with something hard beneath the covers at my side and I instantly froze. I’d just come out of a yearlong relationship with the bitch of all bitches, and I began