Carter's Treasure by Amy Gregory Page A

it looked like it was going to be an all out mess. Because of her.
    “Oh God. Carter…stop! Eli!” she begged as she continued to fight the arms around her, but he was so much stronger. Oh my God. “Stop.” Panic engulfed her before she could stop it. She went limp, except for the racking sobs coming from deep within.
     
     
    “Noland!”
    Brody turned at Eli’s startled yell.
    “Oh my God, Molly!” Brody forgot all about Carter, Dylan, and the fight. Eli had sunk to the ground with Molly crying in his arms. Brody dropped to her side, scooping her up.
    This was the last thing Molly needed. When she calmed down a little bit, Brody knew she was going to be mortified. He whispered to her, letting his voice bring her back down while he cradled her in his arms and gently rocked her. He slipped his phone from his back pocket.
    Handing Eli the phone, he rocked Molly while giving him directions. “Erin is number one on speed dial, call her. Please.”
    Eli nodded, stood, and stepped away with the phone.
    Carter was on his knees across from them, his expression shocked. “What’s…?”
    Brody ignored him, continuing to whisper to Molly as he rocked her.
    “Brody.” The choppy whisper tore his heart up.
    “It’s okay baby. I’ve got you. It’s okay. Shh…it’s okay.” He held on tightly to her middle, but never constricted her arms.
    “Carter?”
    Brody cringed, but answered, “He’s right here, sweetie…don’t worry.”
    The crowd parted for the loud voice.
    Shit. Could this get any worse?
    Brody heard George coming before he could see him.
    “What the hell is going on here?” George dropped to his knees when he saw Molly and Brody on the floor. “What happened? Is she all right?”
    Brody nodded. “You need to get everyone away from here. Wait.” He swallowed hard, trying his best to keep his composure and his voice calm. “Sterling, Frost, and Hunter can stay.”

Chapter Four
     
    After she’d had to give George the gory details plus a long phone call to James, Carter could tell Molly was exhausted. When she announced she was going back to their motorhome to go to bed, he jumped at the chance to be alone with her and offered to walk her back. Brody had scoffed, but Carter watched out of the corner of his eye as Erin quieted him down. It looked like he had an ally. That was a helpful piece of knowledge to keep tucked away.
    He walked at a slow pace with her pulled close to his side, wanting to make the minutes last as long as possible, wanting to keep her with him.
    And he really did, he wanted to keep her in his arms, permanently.
    He sucked in a quick breath as the meaning seeped into him. He knew he felt like she was the one, but the force of that word hit him like a two-ton truck. All of a sudden he felt lighter than he had in years. Even after the last forty-five minutes of hell, he all of a sudden felt amazing, like he finally had the answer to one of life’s hardest puzzles.
    She snuggled into his side and he could feel how relaxed she was with him. It made his heart swell even more. She’d fallen to pieces during that whole fiasco. Brody had brushed it under the rug as a reaction to violence. No big deal. What the hell ? It was a big deal, a very big deal. But she had pulled herself together within minutes and with such grace, he had to admire her strength.
    “Come here, Gorgeous.” Carter pulled her closer to him.
    “Hey Molly.” He tightened his grip on her in case she should try to pull away. “I heard what Brody said, but sweetheart, there’s more to this story. Even if you are opposed to violence, it was one punch. I sure as hell didn’t mean to scare you, but I have a feeling it’s way more than what Brody let on.”
    He felt her stiffen, but she didn’t say anything, so he continued, “I won’t pry, but if you ever want to talk, I’m here. I want you to know that. I’ll always be right here, I’m not going anywhere.”
    With her body next to his, he felt the deep