by Anna Lewis
His words shocked her, cutting her to her core. He was right, and she cursed her mind for letting her imagine the moment when she got in the car, turned the key and...
She sat down hard on the side of the tub, covering her face with her hands and fighting the tears. She had almost been killed.
She felt Trevor sit beside her, his strong arm wrapping around her and pulling her close. She wanted to fight him, but his touch felt so good, and she was so scared.
“I’m sorry,” he said, hugging her tight and just holding her. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
She shook her head.
“No, you’re right. I’m lucky to be alive and I should be thankful that you guys came when you did.” She looked at him, wishing his green eyes weren’t so green, and that his skin wasn’t so warm and inviting. “Where is Spencer,” she asked, trying to distract herself from his arm around her.
“He left a few hours ago,” Trevor said, standing up and putting a little space between them.
Lara almost laughed. It was almost as if the mention of his brother reminded Trevor that he was crossing some sort of professional line with her, and he jumped up to avoid getting caught. Maybe she wasn’t the only one having sexual thoughts.
“Where did he go?” she asked, shamelessly using the reminder of Spencer and his obvious distaste for foolery to keep Trevor at arm’s length.
“He didn’t say.”
“You look irritated.”
“It’s a twin thing. We usually do everything together, so it was a little weird for him to just up and leave with no explanation.”
“Do you really do everything together?” she asked, teasing him.
“Only the things that we enjoy the most,” he said, his voice low.
She thought she heard a suggestion in his statement, her cheeks instantly flushing with the thought of the two of them bedding a woman together. But when she looked at him, his face seemed innocent enough, and she wondered if she was just reading into things too much.
Or, it’s just wishful thinking, she admonished herself.
“Anyway, I came to tell you that breakfast is ready, and that you can come downstairs whenever you’re ready and have breakfast. I forgot to ask you what you like, so I cooked a little of everything.”
“You cook?”
“I’m not just a pretty face,” he said, winking again.
Her heart fluttered.
He has to stop that, she thought miserably.
“Breakfast sounds great,” she said. “I think I’ll take a shower first.”
He nodded, but didn’t move. She rolled her eyes.
“Don’t tell me that I need protection in the shower, because I don’t.”
“You do,” he said, his smile mischievous, “But it’s not from the bad guys.”
Before she could ask him what he meant, he turned around and left the room, closing the bedroom door behind himself. Lara closed the bathroom door and turned the lock. Then she laughed at herself as she turned on the water and stepped into the spray. That little lock wasn’t going to keep him out, and taking a cold shower wasn’t going to calm her down either.
He needed to keep his shirt on and stop being so sexy or this was going to be a long few weeks.
***
When Lara finally made her way to the kitchen, Trevor had gotten dressed for the day and was standing in the kitchen, tight jeans and shirt hugging every inch of his body. His back was to her, and she stood there for a moment, drinking in the sight of him at the stove, dishing up her plate.
“I hope you like pancakes and fresh fruit, because that’s what’s on the menu today.”
“I love both,” she said. “Is Spencer still not back?”
“He just pulled up to the gate. It will be a few minutes before he gets here.”
“Oh, okay,” she said, not knowing what to say and mentally kicking herself for being so awkward about it.
She sat down and he set the plate in front of her, along with a glass of orange juice. She took a bite, closing her eyes and letting the buttermilk pancakes melt in her mouth.
“I’m glad you like it,” Trevor said. He picked up a remote and turned on the small television in the dining room, then sat beside her to eat.
The TV newscaster said, “A car explosion last night rocked a tiny neighborhood in a tiny suburb just outside of Fort Worth. And we’re getting word right now that as of ten minutes ago, the house associated with that car is on fire.”
Lara turned her head, mouth dropping open when she saw her house, flames licking at the windows and smoke billowing out.
“That’s my house,” she said, her voice shaking.
“I see that,” Trevor said, looking equally as shocked.
They watched in horror as the firefighters turned on the hose and the house all but exploded when the water made contact with the flames. What started out as a small fire was now raging, the entire house engulfed in an instant.
She felt Trevor’s hand reach out to grasp hers and she threaded her fingers between his unconsciously while she remained glued to the television screen. She didn’t even notice he was holding her hand until she felt his thumb rubbing the back of her hands in a comforting gesture that tugged at her broken heart as she watched her world go up in flames. She wanted to crawl into his embrace and cry, but she didn’t. If she got that close to him when she was this vulnerable, there was not telling how far a hug would go. Not that she hadn’t entertained the thought late at night when she was alone and they were so close to her in their rooms. But now was not the time to take a chance and see where a little fun would take them.
“That’s the mob right there,” Trevor said, shaking his head in anger. “They use their own special blend of chemicals they call 'firebug' to make sure that any attempt to put out the flames only makes the fire worse.”
Lara groaned, tears flowing down her face.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t talk about it like that. It’s your home.”
She shook her head.
“I’m just glad I wasn’t in it, but my dolls.” She closed her eyes, trying to stem the flow of tears. “I was already behind and I had so many that were almost done and ready to ship. And my fabric, and my-” her voice broke. “I’m ruined.”
“Who’s ruined?” Spencer said, walking into the room and looking at the television screen. “Whoa, that’s a big fire.”
“That’s my house,” Lara said miserably.
Spencer looked shocked.
“There’s no way,” he said.
“We watched it blow up on live television,” Trevor said. “It’s her house. It looks like the firebug chemical.”
“I lost everything,” Lara said, her voice breaking.
“Not everything,” Spencer said.
“A backpack full of clothes doesn’t make me feel better,” she said, unable to keep the annoyance out of her voice. “I had new fabric, and dolls I was working on and I just can’t believe that everything is gone. That’s all I care about; making my dolls. I can’t believe all that's gone.” She looked at Spencer, then frowned. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because I was gone all morning gathering up all you doll making stuff and it’s all in the back of the truck.”
“All of it?” she asked, her heart soaring but too afraid to believe it was true.
“Every last needle and thread in your craft room, and I packed up all your clothes and grabbed a few other things that I thought you might miss over the next few weeks or so.”
Lara stood, launching herself into his arms and hugging him tight. She sobbed against his chest, tears of joy and relief. His arms went around her and he held her tight, his body rigid. She laughed, knowing that he was probably uncomfortable with so much emotion and not caring. This angry dragon had saved her world, and just in time. She was going to hug him whether he liked it or not.
He rubbed her back, lingering a little with his hand just above her ass, leaning down and looking into her eyes.
“Maybe we should unload your stuff and get you set up in the sitting room. It’s got the best windows for light and you can spend your free time doing something you love.”
He stepped out of her arms, holding her so he could look in her eyes.
“I did a bug and tracker sweep of your entire house, so everything is clean. I’m glad I left when I did. If I had waited any longer-”
“But you didn’t,” Lara said. “And I’m so grateful.”
“I’m glad,” he said, smiling. “I know we got off to a rough start, but I just want to see you smile. I know you’re scared and anything I can do to make you feel better makes me feel better.”
“That’s perfect. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, let’s get this stuff unloaded and out of my truck. I have farm chores to do, and those horses aren’t going to feed themselves.”
***
Lara sat in the sunlight that streamed through the large window. Propped up in the window seat, she watched Trevor working the horses in the arena that was across the field while she stitched the latest doll. She heard the back door open and close, but she didn’t get up to hide or see who it was. Spencer had seen her in the window and made his way to her when he saw her motioning to him. His hips swayed loosely as he walked, drawing her eye to the jeans that clung to his body as he left Trevor to finish whatever they were doing. Trevor didn’t miss a beat, picking up and continuing what Spencer was doing.
That’s how life had been that past month, with one twin taking care of her while the other took care of the farm. Since their job was to protect her, and Lara’s job was to sew to her heart’s content and ride a horse when she got tired of that, the three of them were enjoying a leisurely existence.
But Lara knew that the twins’ relaxed demeanor didn’t mean that they were lax in their job. She had watched them both, checking the perimeter at odd intervals, sometimes on horseback, sometimes in dragon form. They ran a diagnostic on the alarm system every night, and had even installed motion-activated trail cameras in several places along the fence line to make sure that no one climbed the six-foot cement wall that surrounded the entire area except for the river that ran along the edge of the property. The river’s edge was guarded by several underground motion detectors.
So far, the only thing those cameras had shared was that there was a minor bobcat and possum problem on the ranch.
Spencer came into the room, his gruff demeanor a little softer than it had been before.
“Yes?” he said when she didn’t move from where she sat.
“You told me to tell you when I had ten boxes to go out. Well, there are ten and I need more mailing boxes.”
He arched an eyebrow.
“You’re fast.”
“I don’t have anything else to do, and since you guys do all the cooking and cleaning, I really just have lots of time on my hands. It’s been like a vacation.”
“But you’re working,” he said, lopsided grin tugging at her heart.
Spencer didn’t smile as easily and readily as Trevor, but his smiles were somehow sweeter. Something about them being so rare made her love his smiles that much more, and she went out of her way at times to coax a smile out of him.
“This isn’t work,” she said. “Working at a cardboard plant was hard work. I make more money now. I control how much I work and I get paid what I’m worth. It’s the best, and I’m so glad I realized this dream at twenty-six. It’s almost like I retired early.”
“You know, if you’re bored, you can always help with farm chores.”
“Your horses are big and intimidating. I like riding, but I get a little freaked out when they pin me to a wall and rub their heads on me.”
“They love you.”
“It’s a rough love,” she said, laughing. “I’m not sure I like my love that rough.”
He smiled, chuckling under his breath.
She threw a pillow at him, hitting him in the chest. He only laughed harder, shaking his head.
“You say the most amusing things and you don’t even realize it.”
“I know,” she admitted, her cheeks turning pink. “It’s nice that you guys don’t tease me about it constantly,” she said sarcastically.
“Who’s teasing?” he said, his eyes smoldering as they locked with hers.
She blushed, turning away and breaking the eye contact, even as she imagined his hands on her body. He cleared his throat before he spoke, a smile still tugging on his lips.
“I’ll get these boxes loaded up and take them into Dallas to send them out tomorrow,” said Spencer.
“Dallas is so far. I feel bad that you have to drive that far,” said Lara.
“It’s only an hour, and it’s not worth the risk to send them out from our home. Like I said, you never know who is in the mob, and shipping lots of boxes like this would raise some interest we don’t want.”
“What do you mean?”
“The government flags excessive mailing of packages. Ten boxes every five to seven days is a lot. Using the automated shipping at the post office and paying cash keeps us from showing up on anyone’s radar. Whether it’s the Feds or the mob, I don’t want to end up on any list, just in case.”
“That makes sense. I’m glad that you think of these things so I don’t have to.”
“It’s my job. The biggest way that we keep you safe is to anticipate ways to keep you hidden from the public eye. This is one of the ways that we do that.”
“Thank you,” she said, not knowing what else to say that would let him know exactly how grateful she was to both of them. She stretched, yawning. “I think I need a nap.”
“Take one. We won’t be done with the horses for another hour or two, and we can wake you up for dinner.”
“That sounds fantastic,” she said, setting the doll down on the sewing machine table by the window and getting up. She looked around at the little nook they had made her and smiled. “I can’t believe that you two went to so much trouble to make me feel so at home,” she said, taking in the boxes of fabric neatly organized in cubbies, the craft table and everything else she’d so carefully purchased for her office at home. “I feel so at ease here.”
“That’s good,” he said softly. “We want you to be happy here.”
Her heart skipped a beat, his sentiment so sweet and tender. His worry over her comfort touched her heart, but it was the way that he looked at her that set her heart aflutter. There was more than just caring there. He wanted her, and she had a feeling that he felt the attraction just as strongly as she did.
“Thanks,” she said, not sure what to do about the attraction that was growing between herself and both twins. Did they feel the same way? Would it be wrong to act on those feelings? “I know this will be over soon,” she continued, pushing her lusty thoughts away as best as she could. “I’ll have to find a new place to live, but for now, this is perfect.”
His smile faded for an instant, but it was back in place almost as if Lara had imagined it.
“I have to get back to work,” he said a little too quickly, turning to leave. “Take a nap and we’ll wake you up when dinner in ready.”
***
Her breath was heavy, her breathing labored as she ran in the dark, running away from the fire, her bare feet stumbling over the cold ground. The heat of the flames seared her as she ran for her life, trying to get away from the shadowy figures in the darkness that were searching for her.
A cry of fear stuck in her throat as she hid in the trees, watching her home burn before her eyes, everything that she loved going up in smoke. The men that milled about scanned the darkness, eyes glowing red in the night.
Her heart pounded in her chest, then stopped suddenly when red eyes met hers from a distance, and a malevolent smile cracked a blackened, angry face.
She turned, running into the woods, the raucous laughter behind her making it known that they were coming after her.
“Trevor!” she shrieked in fear. “Spencer! Help me! Ple
ase!”
Her voice was hoarse from the smoke, distant to her ears even though she heard herself clearly. She called out to the twins over and over while she ran in the darkness. Branches slapped her face, tearing at her clothes and slowing her down. She could hear the demons behind her, gaining ground no matter how fast she ran.
“Lara,” they hissed under their collective breaths. “We’ve got you, Lara.”
She screamed when one demon jumped onto her back, pulling at her hair and her clothes, its arms wrapping around her and squeezing her. Another grabbed her off her feet, slamming her hard on the ground and knocking the wind out of her. She screamed again, this time, the sound was louder and closer than before.
She felt the earth shake beneath her, the arms of the demons growing tighter as she screamed and screamed.
The sudden light was blinding, the faces above her a blur in the harsh light.
“Lara!” they yelled in unison as she rose from the forest, shaking off the fog and casting off the demons even as one more scream ripped from her throat and filled the room.
She sat straight up in the bed, breathing hard and looking around frantically. When a pair of hands touched her bare arms, she screamed, looking around and blinking in the bright lights. The room came into focus, and Trevor and Spencer stood there, both looking frantic, trying to wake her from the nightmare she was trapped in.
She looked at the pair of them and sat back, covering her mouth and resisting the urge to scream again at the images in her head. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her legs and buried her face. She took deep, shuddering breaths, trying to calm her nerves and get her heart rate back under control.
“Do you want us to leave?” Spencer asked softly.
“Please don’t leave,” she said softly. “I don’t want to be alone.”
They sat down on the bed, both watching her intently. She recounted the dream to them, every scary and gory detail, and some she didn’t even remember until that moment.
When she finished, she sighed heavily.
