Van, Becca - The Love of Three [Elite Dragons 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Becca Van

Bronsin scanned the map and then tapped another town. “We need to head here.”

  “You want to go to Billings? That’s just over another two hours away,” Lander said.

  “So what,” Bronsin replied. “We need to get here, and I think we should leave tonight.”

  “Why?” Stedman queried.

  “I don’t really know. Call it intuition.”

  Ward and Stedman exchanged another look. Bronsin was looking at him as if he’d just made the simplest suggestion in the world, but it didn’t seem simple to Stedman at all. “Are you picking up something that’s telling you to go there?” he asked.

  “Not really.” Bronsin rubbed his head, frowning. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

  Stedman didn’t know what to make of this hunch, but he didn’t relish spending the next two or three days working out where exactly Jones had run to. He had no doubt that their sleuthing abilities would eventually pan out. By the time they did so, however, would Jones still be where they wanted him?

  The others looked to him for the decision. “Okay, let’s pack up. I’m going to contact Coulter.”

  Three hours later, Stedman drove his truck into a motel parking lot in Billings, Montana. Once he had three rooms, he and his brother decided to head to the main street to get food for everyone. Bronsin had been real quiet ever since they arrived in town, and Stedman wondered what was bothering him.

  “What’s up?”

  “I don’t know. All I know is that we need to be here.” Bronsin sighed. “Or at least, we’re getting closer.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Bronsin didn’t acknowledge the question. “We’d better get the food inside before they start gnawing on their knuckles.”

  After eating, the men went to their respective rooms and settled for the night. Stedman watched Bronsin closely and wondered if his brother still had his mental shield down. His face was white with fatigue, and Stedman was worried his sibling would pass out.

  Stedman only slept sporadically as Bronsin tossed and turned. He glanced at Ward when he sat up to stare at Bronsin.

  “What the hell is wrong with him?” Ward whispered.

  “I don’t know, but I sure as hell don’t like it.”

  “I’ve never seen him like this before.”

  “Me either.”

  Just before dawn, Bronsin bolted upright in bed. Sweat glistened on his skin and he was shaking.

  “Shit, we need to move now!”

  “What is it?”

  “Just get everyone up and into the trucks. I’ll tell you on the way.”

  Bronsin was already pulling his clothes on. Stedman went to the connecting doors and roused the others. When they were all loaded and ready, they headed for the vehicles.

  “Bryden, you and your brothers need to keep a low profile. Stay in the truck unless we call for assistance,” Bronsin commanded.

  Stedman just stared at his brother. Bronsin had always followed orders, not given them. It was so out of character that he didn’t question him.

  Bronsin directed Stedman out of town. They headed southwest and then turned onto Buffalo Trail Road, heading north. There was nothing around them apart from the occasional farmhouse, but even those were few and far between.

  “Stop the truck,” Bronsin yelled.

  Stedman skidded to a halt and looked around. There was nothing here. What the fuck?

  “Bronsin…”

  “Shh, no voice communication,” Bronsin whispered but made sure his mic relayed his command to the others.

  Bronsin eased from the truck, and when he closed the door he made sure it hardly made a sound. Everyone else followed suit except for the Healy brothers. They remained hidden in the back of their vehicle.

  Bronsin took to the fields. They must have traveled for nearly three miles before he indicated for them to slow and keep to cover. Stedman scanned the area, but all he could see was an old, dilapidated barn. The sun was just lightening the sky, which would make it easier for them to see, but if necessary, their enhanced sight would kick in automatically.

  Using hand signals, Bronsin indicated for them to spread out and close in on the barn from all angles. Stedman could see faint tire tracks in the dirt and places where the grass had been flattened by a vehicle.

  They converged on the barn, but it was totally empty. Stedman turned to Bronsin to question him by raising an eyebrow. His brother tapped his head, and Stedman sighed as he lowered his mental shield.

  Fear like he’d never felt before slammed into him, causing him to stagger. He watched the other team members blanch and flinch as they, too, lowered their protective walls.

  Bronsin began searching the ground, so Stedman and his colleagues copied him. They spread out across one end of the barn. Using their feet, they tapped lightly, checking for changes in the sound.

  When they were three quarters of the way down, Bronsin raised his fist and then pointed to the floor near his feet. Stedman and the others convened around him. He saw a small rusted metal handle but nothing else. Getting down on his hands and knees he felt around with his fingertips. It was concealed very well, but Bronsin had found it. There was a wooden panel in the floor, and it was covered with a thick layer of dirt and dead grass. He felt around the metal and must have touched in the right spot. A light snick sounded and a metal tab popped up.

  Pulling his gun from his shoulder holster, he took off the safety and looked at his brothers. Then he unclipped the small put powerful flashlight from his belt. No words were necessary. They would always have his back.

  Taking a deep breath, Stedman pushed all emotion away and pulled his mental shield back in place. This wasn’t the time or place to feel. Grabbing the handle, he pulled hard and then pushed the large wooden panel away. A quick search with his flashlight showed there were no stairs or ladder, so he jumped.

  Stedman landed on his feet and quickly went to his belly and rolled, using his enhanced speed, all the while shining his flashlight around while aiming his gun. Getting to his feet, he called to the others.

  “All clear. Wolf, you’re needed.”

  At the far wall, two women were chained with metal manacles around their wrists and feet, their eyes wide with fear. Their mouths were covered with duct tape, and they were both battered and bruised.

  Stedman controlled his reaction to the sight of women in pain. It brought back all at once the moment he’d set eyes on Alicia. He had to remind himself that their woman was safe back at the stud. His attention needed to be here. “It’s all right. We’re here to help you,” Stedman said in a calm, soothing voice. His brothers as well as Seton, Wolf, and Lander were at his side moments later.

  “Wolf, help me get the tape off. Seton, contact the others. We need bolt cutters.”

  Both women were in their early twenties and half-naked. They looked so damn scared, and he was about to cause more pain by removing the tape.

  “I’m sorry, honey. I don’t want to hurt you, but we have to get this tape off.”

  She cringed back at first but then seemed to gather her courage. She stood up straighter and gave a slight nod. He peeled the tape from the dark-haired woman’s mouth, while Wolf did the same for the other woman.

  “We have to wait for the bolt cutters to get you out of here,” Stedman said calmly and smiled. “I’ll bet you’d like a drink.”

  At her nod, Stedman removed his backpack and retrieved his canteen. He unscrewed the top and held it to her lips. She tried to gulp, so he pulled the bottle away. When she whimpered he told her, “You have to take it slow, honey. If you overload your stomach, you’ll make yourself sick. Just a few sips now, and you can have more again real soon. Okay?”

  She nodded again and took a few sips. Wolf was also talking to the other female and giving her precious fluids. Ward, Bronsin, Seton, and Lander were searching the dirt room. Seton cursed when he opened a large toolbox, and Stedman questioned him by raising an eyebrow. His colleague shook his head, and Stedman knew he would have to wa
it for his answer.

  “We’re coming in.” Codi’s voice sounded over the mic.

  The Healy brothers looked grim when they saw the women but didn’t allow themselves to react. Codi first took the bolt cutters over to the dark-haired woman.

  “Don’t move,” Codi commanded. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  She nodded but watched warily as Codi got to work. The women were released, but they still had the manacles around their wrists and ankles. The metal was too thick to cut through with the cutters.

  Stedman caught her around the waist as she slumped forward, her limbs obviously too weak to hold her weight. Codi moved to the other woman and released her. She was so small and petite that she looked like a child. Wolf picked her up and headed back toward the opening.

  Bryden had found a ladder on the back wall and placed the top of it against the floor. It was a rather precarious setup, but since it was the only way out, they would have to chance it. Stedman knew that each of the team could jump high enough to catch hold of the edge and pull themselves out, but they wouldn’t be able to do that if they had a woman slung over their shoulders.

  Seton held the ladder steady as Wolf lifted the woman over his shoulder and began to climb. When he disappeared Stedman did the same with his female. Seconds later, the rest of the team emerged from the room below.

  “We need to get them to the truck so I can check them over,” Wolf said.

  Stedman nodded and shifted the woman on his shoulder back into his arms.

  “What’s your name, honey?” he asked.

  Before she could answer, Bronsin spoke behind him. “They’re the ones.” His brother looked worse than ever, but there was a hint of triumph in his voice.

  “Chantal Forrester,” the woman whispered.

  That was one of the names from the report. Stedman gave his brother a nod of acknowledgment then asked, “And your friend?”

  “I don’t know. Our mouths were taped the whole time and we weren’t able to talk.”

  Stedman caught up with Wolf and heard him ask the same question.

  “Alexis Coffey.”

  “How old are you two?” Stedman asked.

  “I’m twenty-two,” Chantal answered.

  “I’m twenty-five,” Alexis replied.

  Stedman could feel Chantal shaking and wondered if it was fear, shock, or exhaustion and hunger. He would have to wait until Wolf gave them a thorough check before he asked them more.

  What pissed him off the most was that they hadn’t even sighted the perps. While the women were being tended to the rest of the team had searched inside and the surrounding area. No clues had been found. It looked like they were going to have a few more missions before they could really hang up their guns.

  Once the women were in the truck, he looked over and frowned when he saw Codi carrying the large metal toolbox.

  “What’s in that?”

  “Surgical instruments,” Codi answered grimly.

  “Fuck! Looks like Bronsin found them just in time. Let’s hope the Feds can get some prints off that stuff.”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  Chapter Seven

  Bronsin dropped onto the bed in their motel room in Billings. He closed his eyes and felt exhaustion sweep over him. He’d kept his shield down all the previous day and night, and now he was paying for it. Never had he felt so weak. His body felt like it was shaking from the inside out.

  Through the motel’s thin walls, he could pick up voices. Wolf was checking over the two women, and now the paperwork and reports began. By rights he ought to be in there helping, but Stedman had sent him off to rest.

  He opened his eyes when Ward came into the room. “FBI’s on their way,” he reported. “We can hand this whole mess over to them and get home.”

  “How are the women?”

  “Bruised, dehydrated, and hungry, but they’ll be fine. They’ll be home soon.” After a moment, he went on, “Stedman called Coulter to fill him in. Coulter had a lot of questions about how you knew where to go to find them.”

  Bronsin propped himself up. “I think I can finally answer that.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “I felt their distress—one of them, anyway.”

  “You should never have been able to feel anything about them from Miles City,” Ward objected. “And surrounded by all those people? There’s no way.”

  “Some people can block our ability to feel their emotions,” Bronsin said. “What if other people have the opposite ability?”

  Understanding dawned on Ward’s face. “She can broadcast from a long, long way off, you mean?”

  “That’s exactly what I mean. You lot might not have been able to feel it, but I could. And I don’t know, maybe it was just that she was so scared and in so much pain that allowed me to feel it at that distance.” He shrugged. “Got any better ideas?”

  “Nope. Which one of them broadcasts like that?”

  “I don’t even know. My brain’s fried.”

  “Lie down. You earned it.”

  Bronsin settled back on the bed again. “I just sped up the process. We’d have found them eventually with the information we got off the clinic in Miles City.”

  “That may yet lead us to Jones, though it’ll be a couple of days before we can chase down those leads. In the meantime, we can go home. Stedman’s orders.”

  Despite his fatigue, Bronsin felt himself smile. “He wants to see Alicia.”

  “Don’t we all.” Ward stood up. “I’ll wake you when it’s time to hit the road.”

  Closing his eyes, he thought about Alicia. He hoped she wasn’t too worried about them. She was his last thought as he drifted off to sleep.

  * * * *

  Alicia missed her men. They had been gone for two nights, but they were now on their way back and should arrive at any moment. She was proud of them all. Coulter had told her and the other women about their rescue. He had refused to go into any detail, but Alicia didn’t really care. As long as the women and her men were safe, that was all that mattered.

  Looking up when she heard the deep rumble of a diesel engine, she hurried out the back door of the main house. She frowned when the truck didn’t stop but continued on to the Tiltmans’ house. The team alighted from the vehicle, and she smiled when she saw Stedman and Ward. The expressions on their faces were grim, and she began to feel anxious.

  The back of the truck was opened, and Stedman reached in for Bronsin. He looked like he was sleeping, but his face was really pale. Her knees weakened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. Then she was running. Ward rushed up to the house and opened the door as Stedman and Wolf carried Bronsin into the house. She hurried after them. Her heart pounded so hard and fast with fear that she thought she might be sick.

  “Put him in Alicia’s room,” Ward commanded.

  She grabbed Ward’s hand and felt tears fill her eyes. He looked worried, and that made her feel even more distressed.

  “What happened? Is he hurt?” she sobbed.

  Ward gathered her in his arms as they watched Wolf remove his brother’s clothes. His weapons had already been removed.

  “Shh, honey. No, he’s not hurt or injured.”

  “Then what the fuck is wrong?” she asked, her voice rising with panic.

  “He overdid it, Alicia. He just needs to rest.”

  “Overdid what? How long has he been like this?”

  Ward sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair. “Since last night.”

  “You’re telling me that Bronsin has been asleep for over eighteen hours?”

  Ward nodded and pulled her tight against his body.

  “Oh God! Why?”

  “Don’t get hysterical, honey. That won’t do Bronsin any good.” Ward ran a hand up and down her back. “We think Bronsin kept his shields down for nearly twenty-four hours or even more. He was the one to find the women. We aren’t able to cope with that kind of stress. It’s bad enough having our walls down for a couple of hours. It
always drains us, but he kept them down because he could feel those women were in trouble. Wolf has checked all of Bronsin’s vitals, and everything appears normal.”

  “So what do we do?”

  “We wait, baby,” Stedman answered as he covered Bronsin with the quilt. “There’s nothing else we can do.”

  “Won’t he get dehydrated if he doesn’t wake up?” Alicia directed her question to Wolf.

  “If he doesn’t wake up by tomorrow, we’ll bring him to the infirmary and hook him up to a drip. You could try and get him to drink if you want to, but only tiny amounts so he doesn’t choke.” Wolf turned to Stedman. “Call me if there’s any change.”

  Alicia knew that Wolf didn’t mean a change for the better. She slipped out of Ward’s embrace and climbed up on the bed. Reaching out with a shaking hand, she smoothed her fingers over Bronsin’s forehead and listened to his deep, even breathing.

  At least he hasn’t been shot. Oh God, Bronsin, I love you so much. Please wake up! Alicia felt sick to her stomach seeing Bronsin like he was. She’d been hiding her feelings about the three men from nearly the beginning, and now that one of them was unwell, it cut through the heart, making her chest ache. She wanted him to wake up and hold her in his arms so she would know he was okay.

  Scooting down onto the bed, Alicia snuggled against Bronsin’s chest and closed her eyes. But that didn’t stop the tears from leaking out. Wrapping her arm around his waist, she held him tight.

  Stedman moved close and kissed her on the cheek. “I want to stay with you, baby, but we have a report to make. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

  Ward didn’t say anything, but he, too, kissed her and gave her a sad smile.

  Alicia had no idea how long she lay on the bed, but it had to have been for hours. Ward and Stedman came and went to check on them, but they had a job to do and couldn’t stay with her.

  Finally she decided to try and get Bronsin to drink some water. She had tried several times but had only ended up wetting his mouth, chin, and neck. Placing her hand beneath his head, she lifted him up and placed the glass to his lips. Again, the water just trickled down. After drying him off, she climbed back on the bed to study her handsome man.