Read Beautiful Innocence for Free Online

on.”
    “It’s up to you, Ang. If she were my kid or niece I’d want to know, and I’d want to kill that son of a bitch even he just thought about it.”
    Dane stands. “Enough, Josh. Angie, why don’t you take a day or two and let it all sink in, and then let us know what you want to do. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open just in case something pops up.”
    “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to touch that precious angel. I may not have liked what my sister did by leaving, but I am sure glad Ava came to find me.”
    Dane and I both smile. We know what family means. Everything.
    “I’ll let you know next week at the bar. I assume I’ll see you both on Thursday?”
    “Sure thing, Ang,” Dane answers.
    Although, I have plans to head in there tonight to get another look at her.
    When I get to the bar that evening it’s packed, and I don’t see her anywhere. Of course I know everyone here, but don’t feel like partying tonight. “Hey, Josh,” I hear my name being purred into my ear.
    “Hey, Shelley.”
    “Can I buy you a shot?”
    I turn on the stool and she slides right in between my thighs and places her hands on my shoulders. “Not tonight, doll, I’m working.”
    “I can wait.”
    I shake her off and softly push her back from me. “Maybe another time.” I pat her ass, shooing her away. “Hey, Susie can I get a draft?” Susie is a single mother whose deadbeat old man left her for greener pastures once their kid turned five. She’s so busy raising a kid alone and working to afford him that she hasn’t found anyone to help her out, but it never stops her from trying. She strolls over, doing her best to get my attention by bending over so I can see straight down her shirt. “What are you doing here on a Saturday night all alone?”
    “Just killing time. Hey, have you seen Angie or her niece?” Her expression turns from “let me fuck you please,” to, “what the fuck.”
    “Ava’s off tonight.” Susie gives me an eat-shit glare. “Out with Sam, I hear. Angie’s in the office.” She turns to someone shouting out for her, leaving me stumped. He might be a nicer guy than I am, and probably better for someone like Ava, but he’s still a guy and guys want only one thing. And I want that one thing to be mine. At least once.
    I sip my beer, contemplating my next move. A big part of me wants to figure her shit out and make sure she’s safe, for Angie’s sake. The other part wants to figure her out in other ways. Grabbing my beer, I push off and make my way to the office door and tap loudly to override the music. She yanks it open still sitting in her chair. “Did you find something else?”
    “No. Did you know she was out with Sam tonight?”
    Her eyebrows shoot up, but a faint smile crosses her face. “Yes, I know. Why? Do you have an issue with Sam?”
    Yes, I have fucking issue with Sam. He’s moving in on something I want. “Nope. Just making sure you know.”
    She rolls her eyes before looking back down at her paperwork. “Just so you know, I told her to stay away from you.”
    My hand flies to my chest. “Me? What did I ever do to you?”
    “Nothing. It’s just what you do to every other girl in this town, honey. You’ve broken enough hearts to last a lifetime, leave hers alone. I have a feeling it’s been broken enough.”
    “Pfft…I’ve got no interest in her.” Maybe I’m saying it out loud to convince myself, but even I know I’m lying. I have every intention of seeing if I’m right, since the last time she looked into my eyes, I saw a little bit of devil that was dying to come out and play.
    I pivot and start walking, but hear her mutter, “yeah, all right.”

Chapter 5
    AVA
    Sam is putting our name in with the hostess at some swanky seafood restaurant on the water and the only thing I can think of is how much I need to go shopping. I’m wearing the nicest shirt I own and a pair of shorts in desperate need of a good wash. I am completely underdressed, but he