Read Freeing Him: A Hart Brothers Novel, Book 2 for Free Online Page A

How can I get myself out of this? What excuse can I use to avoid the wine cellar?
    Her hand is on my thigh and she squeezes, bringing me back to my dilemma. I take hers and she feels my angst.
    “Kolson, take me with you. I’ve never seen the wine cellar.”
    Ah, sweet rescue.
    My voice is croaky when I answer. “Sure. Come, kea.”
    The dragon shoots daggers at both of us. His plan backfires and he doesn’t like it one bit.
    We move through the house and down the steps. My breath wheezes through my trachea as I attempt to gain control of my anxiety. It’s so fucking dark down here. This is where my terror was birthed. Where it all began. Down in this depth of hell. I freeze again and lean against the wall, halfway down the steps.
    “It’s all good, babe. I’m right here with you. It’s dark, but nothing can hurt you. I want you to look at me, Kolson. Can you do that?”
    Nodding, I look into her beautiful eyes. She smiles.
    “Good. Very good. Listen. You’re almost there. A few more steps and I see a light over there. We’re good, you hear?”
    I nod. She holds my hand and I clumsily move down the remaining stairs. When we get to the bottom, she spins me and kisses me like she hasn’t seen me in days. I pull her off her feet and nearly devour her. We’re breathless when we finally end it and then she laughs on my lips.
    “Have I ever told you the story about Lenny Cramer?”
    “No.”
    “He was this guy in college who asked me out, so I went. When he brought me home, he kissed me goodnight, and I felt like I was kissing a Hoover vacuum cleaner. His mouth opened so wide, it encompassed everything from my chin to my nose and he proceeded to suck it all in. I wasn’t sure there would be anything left of my face when he finished. I couldn’t tell if it was a kiss or a lab experiment. I’m so glad you’re not a Cramer-kisser.” Her palm is on my face and I want to melt right into it.
    “Kea, I promise never to Cramer-kiss you. Ever. God, I love you.” It’s more of a desperate plea than a declaration of love. She understands.
    “You ready to go get that wine?”
    “Jesus, it’s so dark down here.” She can’t know why I truly despise this place. This prison. I won’t tell her now. But one day …
    “It is. But you know what, there is no real darkness when you’re around, only imaginary. You light up my world, Kolson.”
    “You’re beautiful. Let’s do this.”
    I lead the way, though it isn’t easy. We walk through my hell and I want to curl up in the tight ball like I did when I was young. But I don’t. We go into the cellar, collect the wine, and return to the dinner table. Though I’m a bit sweaty, only my dad knows why.
    Dinner finally ends and we move into yet another room for cigars and drinks. I want to get the hell out of here and go upstairs to be alone with Gabriella.
    Time drags on but the hour for escape finally arrives and we’re one of the first to head up.
    “Okay, so that was the most awful dinner I’ve ever been to. Sorry. I think I ate sawdust.”
    I plop backward on the bed and laugh. “Thank God it’s over. I swear I’ll never torture you like this ever again.”
    “I looked around and everyone had fake smiles on their faces. Except your mom. She was oblivious. She needs to meet my mom. Except my mom has vodka for her excuse. I don’t know what your mom’s is.”
    “Fear. She’s afraid of him. You didn’t see it tonight, and I doubt you ever will, but she cowers from him. I’m pretty sure he beats her, though I’ve never seen it first hand. But she’s so loyal to him.”
    “That’s typical for an abused wife. And your dad. He enjoys baiting people. He’s …”
    “A sociopath.”
    “No, he’s not. He’s not that at all. He loves being the center of attention. A sociopath is very antisocial. But Langston is very power driven and controlling.”
    “Oh, you’re right about that.”
    “But there’s something else going on there. He certainly derives a