Vow of Devotion (Vow Series Book 4)

by Emma Renshaw

  My brothers and parents stand when I walk into the courtroom. It takes me by surprise that they’re here. I didn’t expect anyone to be here, except maybe Maddox. Ava comes out from behind my brothers and an unfathomable feeling of relief fills me. She steps close, though we’re separated by the waist-height wooden wall between us.

  When her bluebonnet eyes lock on mine, my chest warms with love for the woman standing in front of me and gratitude that she’s standing by my side. My throat clogs and my nose starts to burn.

  I cup her face with my hands. “Ava,” I whisper.

  Shame coats every pore of my body when Ava’s eyes fill with tears. I want to tell her I love her and beg her to never leave my side, but I can’t do that here while I’m in an orange jumpsuit.

  She deserves more than that.

  “How’s Lilly? Where is she?” My heart stops beating as I wait for her answer. Her tear-streaked face will be burned into my mind forever. I want to spend my life protecting her as a father should, but I’ve failed once on that front. Failed massively.

  The guilt is like a noose around my neck cinching tight. I didn’t commit these crimes, but I’ll never stop feeling guilty for scaring Lilly.

  “She’s with Carmen. I kept her home from school today.”

  “Ava,” I say.

  She shakes her head. “It was the right thing to do. She’s okay, she’s hanging in there. She’s worried about you and missing you.”

  The rest of my family waits in the first row, right behind a table where Kevin sits.

  He’s turned in his chair, trying to talk to my mother. Her gaze breaks from mine and turns back to Kevin. “I’m sorry for being rude. Bless your heart for being here, but I can’t have idle chitchat right now. Can you please concentrate on getting my son out of this mess? He’s innocent.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Kevin responds quickly. “Today won’t be about his innocence, only setting the bail amount.”

  My mother nods and turns back to me, but I’m focused on Ava.

  The judge enters and before I know what’s happening, my bail has been set. In only a few hours, I will be out of here.

  “I’ll handle it, son,” Dad says, squeezing my shoulder. “We’ll be here.”

  I nod as I’m ushered back to the cell while the paperwork is processed.

  Ava.

  I need to see her as soon as I’m out of here. The few minutes in the courtroom weren’t enough. I sent her home to check on Lilly instead of waiting for me to be processed out.

  I need to go to her and Lilly.

  We were supposed to have a date with just the two of us tonight. Lilly was going to spend the night at Carmen’s. I wonder if that’s still happening or if Ava cancelled because of this. Lilly would still want to go. She loves to spend time with Carmen.

  The seconds that pass feel like hours, but when an officer opens the cell door, handing me my clothes, I swear I hear angels sing and rejoice. I strip from the jumpsuit as quickly as possible and throw on my own clothes.

  Even though I wasn’t wearing them, they carry the smell of this place. It makes me sick.

  Mom charges toward me as I walk out the door. It’s dark out. I had no idea how late it was; being in that concrete cell made me lose time. Her arms wrap my waist and she cries into my chest. “Dear God, why?”

  I laugh, the sound watery, and kiss the top of her head. “I’m okay, Ma.”

  She backs up, framing my face with her hands. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “I’m a grown man.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You’ll understand one day.”

  A part of me does understand, if I get this life with Ava. The life I’m picturing, Lilly will be my daughter. I already love her as if she were mine. I’ll never want any harm to come to her.

  “I need to go see Ava,” I say.

  Each person in my family steps forward and hugs me. Surrounded by them, I have the confidence this shit will be dealt with fast. I’m a lucky bastard that these people are my family.

  “I’ll take you to Ava,” Maddox says. I nod and walk to the parking lot, my family trailing behind me.

  “Do you want to get your truck?” he asks as soon as we’re in his car.

  “No, I need to see her now. My phone is dead, so I can’t call her.”

  “You can use my phone.”

  I shake my head. “I just need to see her.”

  The drive to her apartment only takes a few minutes. Maddox stops me before I get out of the car. “I can’t do much, but I’m doing everything in my power to get this shit handled right.”

  “I know.” I pop open the door. “Don’t get into trouble over this though. It’s a mess that’s landed in my lap. Don’t lose your career over this.”

  “We’re family.”

  I shake my head. “Be smart.”

  “Get your ass out of my car. You fucking stink.”

  I laugh and it feels good rumbling through my chest. It breaks the weariness that’s been taking over. I bound up the stairs as fast as I can and knock on her door.

  “Hudson,” she breathes when she opens the door.

  “Bluebonnet.” Our eyes lock. I brace myself. Will she send me packing? She’d be justified in doing it for Lilly, but it’d wreck me.

  But Ava jumps into my arms, wrapping hers around my neck and her legs around my waist. I grab her thighs, holding her up as I walk into her apartment, and kick the door closed behind me.

  “I’m so sorry. Is Lilly okay? Is she here?”

  “No. I left her at Carmen’s. I didn’t want to change her plans. She’s been scared and sad, and I didn’t want her to see you until I knew you were okay.”

  A pain like being stabbed slices through my chest. “Fuck. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I hurt our girl.”

  Ava kisses my lips. “It’s going to be okay.” Her hands rub over my face and she smiles a little. “I’ve never seen you so scruffy.”

  “Wasn’t exactly at the Ritz,” I respond dryly. We’re standing in her living room while she’s still wrapped around me. I don’t want to let her go.

  She frowns. “What can I do for you? Are you hungry? Tired?”

  “I want a fucking shower.”

  “Let’s go,” Ava says, kissing me softly again. “You have some clothes here anyway. And they’re clean.”

  “You’re showering with me?” I ask.

  “Just try to keep me away.”

  Chapter 32

  Ava

  I slide down Hudson’s body and drop to my feet after he carries me into the bathroom. His entire body is sagging from exhaustion.

  I have faith this will work out. The bastard trying to frame him will be caught.

  I want Lilly to know what true, passionate, and unconditional love looks like, what it looks like to stick by a person when their life isn’t at its best. I can only show her that if I’m with Hudson. I know he will devote the rest of his life to making us happy.

  We haven’t exchanged that word, but I need him to know how I feel. I need him to know I will stand by his side through thick and thin. Through good times and bad.

  I reach into the shower, turning on the hot water, then work on stripping Hudson. My hands caress down his torso and then under his shirt. He lifts it the rest of the way when I can’t go any higher.

  I kiss his mouth as I unbuckle his belt and slide his pants and briefs down his legs. He stands in front of me, exhausted, but I’ve never seen masculine beauty like his. Even drained, he’s amazing.

  His cock hardens as he watches me undress.

  We step into the shower silently. He’s under the spray and I wrap myself around him. His hand glides up and down my back, and he leans forward until his forehead rests on my shoulder.

  “I didn’t know what to expect, coming here tonight,” he confesses. “I didn’t know if you’d turn me away and never see me again. I wouldn’t have blamed you. I terrified Lilly. It guts me knowing that. I’ll find a way to make it up to her. I swear it, bluebon
net. If it’s the last thing I do, I swear. I’ll get her to trust me again.”

  “She still trusts you. She’s been worried about you. I know our girl will be okay. We’ll make sure of it.”

  “Our girl?” He lifts his head, smiling down at me.

  “You said it first. It feels right, doesn’t it?”

  The smile falls from his face. “Fuck. I love you. I love you so damn much. I can’t go another second without you knowing that. I love you, bluebonnet. My Ava.”

  “I love you, too.” Happy tears prick the corners of my eyes.

  “It does feel right. It’s felt right from the beginning. Lilly is ours. I love her like my own. I’d do anything for that girl.” Hudson smirks. “She knows it, too. It doesn’t bode well for my future that I can’t say no to her.”

  I laugh and wrap my arms tighter around his body, my front plastered to his. “You’ve captured my heart and I hope you never let go.”

  “I’ll never let go of you.”

  “Good,” I whisper and kiss his chest. We stand like that for a while, embracing each other and whispering. I can feel Hudson getting more tired by the second though.

  He lets me wash his hair and body. I’ve never taken care of a man like this. I’ll only ever take care of this man like this.

  After we get out of the shower, I slip on my silk nightie. Hudson steps up behind me, nuzzling my neck. The few days of scruff scratch my neck as he slides his tongue up to my ear, biting the lobe. I shiver, arching my back, brushing my ass along his already rigid cock. My arm lifts above my head, wrapping around his neck as I lean my head to the side, giving his tongue more access along my neck.

  “Say it again,” he growls against my skin.

  Goose bumps tear down my body. My nipples harden, brushing against the silk of my nightie. Hudson trails his fingers up my torso, flicking my nipple with his thumb.

  “I thought you were tired,” I say.

  Hudson pinches my nipple. My back bows as I moan. “Never too tired for this. Say it again.”

  I spin in his arms and run my hands up over his chest. I push him, taking a step forward. He sits on the bed. As soon as my knee comes down on one side of his hip, his rough, callused hand skims my hip and under my nightie.

  I lift the other leg, straddling him, bringing my hands into his hair, curling my fingers into the soft, thick strands.

  My mouth hovers over his. “I love you so much, Hudson.”

  He growls, flipping me to my back and lowering himself between my spread legs. “I’m going to show you how much I love you.”

  Chapter 33

  Hudson

  It’s impossible to see the inside of MarxMen Security, Roman’s security company. The bulletproof windows are tinted black. There’s no sign or anything else on the outside to indicate what the building is. No doubt that’s on purpose, just like the three doors I have to walk through to get to the lobby are on purpose.

  The trek gives the person monitoring the front time to shut me out, if needed. By the time I make it inside, Roman is standing next to the front desk with his arms crossed over his chest. The woman at the front desk watches me approach.

  He turns on his heel and walks back toward the offices, me on his heels. Kiernan is inside his office, waiting for us to arrive.

  “How are you doing?” Kiernan asks as I take a seat on the black leather sofa.

  “All right,” I answer. “I don’t want this to go to court. I understand that it probably will, but in the meantime, I want to set up some security measures out on my site. Maybe the person behind this will show up again to plant something. Hopefully not something else of mine. I want to catch this bastard red fucking handed.”

  “We’ll get it handled,” Roman vows. “We’ll rig that shit up and the feeds will be monitored twenty-four seven. It’s not likely someone will show up again. You’ve been shut down, but for peace of mind, let’s rig up everything. Your house, offices, all the sites.”

  “It won’t be obvious, right?”

  “Do you even need to ask?” Kiernan asks, laughing.

  I know they’re great at their jobs, but my entire life is riding on this. My family’s life is riding on this. When Lilly came home this morning, she cried in my arms for an hour and I vowed that it would be okay.

  That’s a promise I refuse to break.

  “We’ll do it tonight,” says Roman. “If someone is monitoring during the day, I want to go at night, where we can get a little bit of concealment.”

  “Done,” I agree.

  Roman drives the blacked-out SUV into Bluebonnet Trails. Sitting in the front seat next to Roman, Kiernan is fiddling with a screen in his hands. I’m behind him in a captain’s seat, staring out the window. No one’s said a word since Roman picked me up. The tires scratching against the pavement is the only sound in the car.

  When Roman pulls into the neighborhood, I direct him to a secluded corner to park and we carry the equipment to the block where construction was active, though now the houses are frozen in their progress. Hopefully not for forever.

  The pressure crushing my chest is enough to make me collapse. Ava and Lilly are counting on me. I can’t risk this project going south and accidentally hurting them in the process. My family’s company is relying on this project to come through.

  I’m sure Camden has been crying over the numbers.

  I stand silently, watching Roman and Kiernan work on setting up cameras, motion sensors, and microphones. They make sure to cover every angle. Now that I’ve been arrested and progress on construction is at a standstill, the person framing me will have no reason to come back here, but it’s a Hail Mary I have to try for.

  Just when we’re packing up, Roman’s and Kiernan’s heads pop up and their bodies lock tight. I follow their focused gazes. Bright headlight beams slice through the trees as a car turns into the neighborhood’s entrance.

  “Hide,” Roman orders. “Let’s see who this is.”

  Roman, Kiernan, and I conceal ourselves in the tree line. Roman and Kiernan tug earpieces from their pockets and attach them to their ears. Their tablets come to life in their palms. The protective casing around the tablet blocks enough of the screen’s light for us to remain unnoticed.

  I sidle behind them, watching them tap their screens until every angle we just set up appears on their screens.

  Damn. Could we be so lucky as to catch someone on camera tonight?

  We monitor the cameras as the truck comes to a stop. A truck that looks exactly like mine pulls in front of the lot where the body was found.

  When a man steps out of the car, I mutter a low curse.

  Kevin.

  My fucking lawyer. The company’s lawyer. What the hell is he doing here? I only called him from the police station because he was the only lawyer I knew. He’s supposed to be just a stopgap until I can secure a real defense attorney.

  If that motherfucker messes up this investigation by trying to help me out, I’ll fucking kill him. Overeager bastard.

  “Is that the weird guy that showed up at your house?” Kiernan whispers.

  “Yeah. He’s the company’s lawyer.”

  “What’s he doing here?”

  I take a step forward, ready to ask just that, but Roman’s arm blocks me. “Not yet. Let this play out.”

  Our heads swivel as another car approaches, turning into the neighborhood. The sleek, black Mercedes purrs down the street before coming to a stop next to Kevin’s truck.

  I don’t recognize the car or the driver when he steps out.

  Is this another lawyer? Does he work with Kevin?

  Kiernan nudges my shoulder, handing me an earpiece. I pop it in my ear, just in time for Kevin to greet the newcomer. A cold sweat breaks out along my brow and upper lip.

  “Call your brother and have him bring a silent cavalry. ASAP. Something doesn’t feel right,” Roman says, his eyes still glued to the screen in front of him.

  I slip my phone out of my pocket, dialing Maddox’s num
ber.

  “Wells.” Maddox’s brash tone comes over the line.

  “Something is going down at the site. Kevin and another person are here. I’m in the trees with Roman and Kiernan. Bring whoever needs to fucking be here. No lights, no sirens.”

  I pad back to Roman and Kiernan, tuning in again to the conversation between the mystery man and Kevin.

  “Is he in jail?” The man’s gravel-filled voice is that of a lifelong smoker.

  “Out on bail. Fucking golden boy,” Kevin mutters. “Mr. Perez—”

  Tension knots in my shoulders as I straighten my spine, riveted by the two men on the screen.

  Kevin flinches when Perez cuts him off. “Why the fuck would you ask to meet here?”

  “Because this is where I’ll destroy him,” Kevin snarls, his breathing accelerating.

  “Idiota. Never should’ve come here.”

  “I need more. I need more to nail him. What do you have?

  Perez shrugs and chuckles. “A little of this, a little of that.”

  Kevin starts pacing in front of Perez, visibly agitated.

  “I bring you a lot of money, and when I heard you complain about your problem, I gave you a solution. The job is not done. You promised real estate for my money and you’ve yet to deliver. You want this Hudson gone, yes?”

  “Yes,” Kevin answers, lifting his head for the first time. Fucking coward. “It’s why I called you here.”

  A low growl erupts from my chest. My nostrils flare with each heavy, loud breath I push out. My body is vibrating with rage.

  “He’ll be done after you finish your job. I’ll make sure that fucker is put away for life if you continue making me a rich man. But first, satisfy my curiosity.”

  Kevin’s head jerks in a nod.

  “Why do you want to get rid him?”

  “He gets everything he wants,” Kevin roars, taking a step back as his arms flail. “It’s always come so easy to him and he doesn’t want anyone else in the spotlight. I’ve done so much for him and he doesn’t even fucking realize it. I’ve had his back all this time. I don’t want to get rid of him, I want him to think his life is over and I’ll fix it. He’ll see. I’ll fix it.”