Runaways

by Lily Harlem

  But she would tow the Jeep next to the tent and work on it in less isolation.

  She could kick herself for not doing that before.

  “I’ll come with you,” Lucas said when she mentioned her plan to go to the hospital.

  “I’ll be okay, it’s not far.”

  He narrowed his eyes, and his lips tightened.

  There was no point arguing. Besides, she enjoyed having a hot, black-belt bodyguard.

  “We’re going to have to do something,” he said as they wandered over the dusty earth.

  “Any suggestions?”

  “It’s not going to give up and it will be back,” he said. “So we need to trap it somehow and then drive it miles away, somewhere isolated.”

  “Kaskum is isolated. Even if we can trap it, wherever we take it, now it has a taste for humans it will find another village, other people to hunt.”

  Lucas was quiet. “Aye, you’re right.”

  “There must be cat sanctuaries around, somewhere it can live out the rest of its life being cared for and not being a threat.”

  “That’s a good idea, Olivia. We’ll have to look into it.”

  “And I’ll start thinking about how to rig up some kind of cage, one that will be sturdy enough to hold it during transport.”

  For a moment they walked in silence. She stared at the hospital, memories of what she’d done with Paul coming back to her. She could stand it no more.

  “Lucas.”

  “Aye.”

  “I have to tell you something.” She stopped and took his hands.

  He looked down at her.

  She must have appeared worried because he tipped his head and narrowed his eyes. “What is it? Are you hurt? Sick?”

  “No, no I’m fine.” She blinked slowly and took a deep breath.

  “You’re frightening me.” He tugged his hand from hers and rested his palm over her cheek. “What is it?”

  “I had sex with your brother.”

  “That’s not new news.” He smiled.

  “Not Mason.”

  “Oh, okay.” The smile dropped. He bit down on his bottom lip and closed his eyes.

  “It wasn’t planned, Lucas, it just happened. We’ve been getting closer, I guess, not annoying each other so much, and then with the attack and working late into the night…”

  “I understand.” He opened his eyes and swallowed. “How could you not fall in love with Paul?”

  “I don’t know if I love him. Strong feelings yes…but…”

  “You will fall in love with him, he’s a great bloke.”

  “He is.” She glanced at the hospital. “And I love all of you, you know I do. Each one of you is so special and…”

  “And what?”

  “Each one of you gives me something no one else can. Does that make sense?”

  “You’re a complex woman, Olivia. Unconventional, too. It does make sense you’d need more than one man to meet your needs.”

  The way he’d spoken, softly, his accent rounding his words, told her he understood—although her admission had surprised him, he wasn’t angry or jealous, just accepting.

  “We should have a night alone together, soon,” she said, reaching up and breezing her lips over his. “The way we did in the hotel.”

  “I’d like that.” He twitched his eyebrows. “There’s some unfinished business to attend to, from when we were disturbed by the pool at the villa.”

  “Ah, yes.” She smiled and thought of how she’d only had one swipe of her tongue over his cute freckle. “You’re right.”

  “Not much privacy around here, though, is there?”

  “No.” She hesitated. “Would you ever consider joining me in bed if Mason or Raul were there, too?”

  “I…” He paused and glanced away. “I don’t know.”

  “There’s no pressure, Lucas.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  They continued to the hospital. Paul greeted them outside the office. He’d showered and put clean clothes on; his cologne was freshly applied.

  “Paul,” Lucas said, his voice gruff.

  Paul glanced from his brother to Olivia. “You told him.” He hadn’t said it as a question.

  “Yes.”

  “Welcome to the crew,” Lucas said.

  “Is that it, Lucas?” Paul frowned. “You’re not a man of many words, but that’s not much, even for you.”

  “Hurt her and you’ll have Mason and me to answer to.”

  “I’m not going to hurt her.” Paul tutted. “Jeez, what do you take me for?”

  “Just saying.” Lucas ran the back of his index finger down Olivia’s cheek. “I’ll see you later, I’ve got to get some pipework finished today.” He swiped his lips over hers.

  “Yes, of course.” She smiled up at him.

  “So who else knows?” Paul asked as they walked down the corridor to the ward area.

  “Evan.”

  “The dude with the knife. I guess that’s marginally better than the boyfriend with the gun.”

  “They won’t hurt you, it’s not how it is.” She paused. “At least you seemed pretty confident that was the case last night as you dragged my pants off.”

  “Men can be unpredictable creatures when it comes to their woman.” He glanced about.

  They were out of view from the front door and the ward.

  “It was worth it, though.” He tugged her to a halt then pressed her against the side of the corridor, his hands flat on the wall on either side of her head. “Being with you, last night, it was the most intense experience I’ve had in a long time.”

  She stared up into his eyes, studied the small lines that shot from the sides and the crease on his brow. He had a small sprinkle of freckles over his nose.

  “And for the record, I can see why they’re all crazy over you,” he murmured.

  “You can?”

  “Aye…because I am, too.” He kissed her, a solid, sure, confident press of his lips.

  “I’m glad,” she said when he pulled back. She cupped his jaw line. “Because you’re special to me, too. Very special.”

  He smiled, just a little. “Come on, let’s go see the patient.”

  Kwame was sitting up in bed. His arm was freshly bandaged, and the drip running slowly. Next to him stood Yamba.

  “Hello,” Olivia said.

  Both men inclined their heads at her.

  “I’m going to keep him here for a few more shots of intravenous antibiotics,” Paul said, “then he’ll be able to go home.”

  “Thank you. For everything,” Kwame directed at Olivia.

  “I didn’t do much.”

  “I think you are very modest.” Yamba smiled. “Anya has told me what great service you and Doctor Paul did for our village last night by helping our brother Kwame.”

  “I’m glad it worked out okay.” She took a deep breath. “The leopard is still around. We’ve seen it today.”

  “Yes, I have heard. We must have a village meeting and decide what best to do.”

  “I agree.” Paul nodded as he took his stethoscope from around his neck. “I fear if this happens again, we won’t be so lucky.”

  Olivia watched Paul listening to his patient’s chest. Her feelings for him hadn’t changed, despite the complications created by their lust for each other the night before. His straight-down-the-line manner, his compassion and skill still called to a very deep part of her and made her heart flutter.

  There was only one thing for it. Tonight, around the fire, she’d have to have a meeting of her own and tell her harem of men there’d be another one joining them.

  And if they wanted to fight it out, they’d have to deal with her first.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The fire was burning bright, as were the torches the twins had set about. Olivia sat with all the men beneath the canopy that stretched from the entrance to the tent and was supported by two thin poles. It felt safe sitting there, or as safe as they could be when there were no fence
s between them and wild beasts.

  Raul had cooked a vegetable stew. A small bowl had been taken to the hospital for Kwame, and a larger pot had been taken, by Anya, to his family.

  “Catch the leopard, and I make leopard stew,” Raul said, eating the last of his dinner.

  “I think the animal rights protesters would have something to say about that,” Evan said with a huff.

  “Anything that wants to eat me, I can eat it,” Raul said. “That is the way of nature.”

  Evan shook his head and set his empty bowl aside. He glanced at Olivia.

  She swallowed then took a sip of her water.

  It was clear what Evan wanted her to do—tell the others about Paul. And she would, but not while they were talking about the leopard.

  I’m not stalling. The leopard is important.

  “Lucas and I had an idea about the leopard,” she said, glancing around. Harry sat on her left, then Evan, the twins, Raul, and finally on her right, was Paul.

  “Aye.” Lucas nodded. He’d pulled on a hoody and dragged it up against the cooler evening air; she could only see his face, and the shadows from the fire danced on his features.

  “Oh?” Harry said. “What are you thinking, buddy?”

  “Catch it,” Lucas said. “Sanctuary.”

  “Yes,” Olivia said. “It’s going to attack again, we know that. But if we can get it to a sanctuary, hopefully it won’t have to end up as…leopard stew.”

  “Brave plan.” Mason nodded at his brother. “Any details?”

  “Olivia’s going to build a trap.” Lucas placed his bowl down on the ground.

  “Yes, but…” She frowned. “I’m not sure we have anything strong enough. All the materials we brought for the hospital are in use now. We could try wood, but is any of this stuff strong enough?” She gestured to the fire, which was piled high with pale slim twigs that snapped easily.

  “It is simple solution.” Raul folded his arms and sat back on his camp chair.

  “It is?” Evan looked at him.

  “Really?” Harry appeared doubtful.

  “Si, we use van. Paul’s van.”

  Everyone was quiet.

  “It is empty,” Raul said, grinning. “Paul has everything in the hospital now, I helped him move it. Now it is a perfect metal cage, sealed from the cab. Get leopard in there, and we can drive it anywhere. It even has a sky window, that lifts off, so the cat can breathe and not get too hot.”

  “And how do we get it in there?” Paul asked.

  “Bait.” Evan nodded. “A goat or chicken or something else that takes its fancy. This is a good idea, Raul.”

  “I am full of them.” Raul laughed.

  “Apart from one thing.” Harry pulled a face. “Who is going to volunteer to shut the door once it’s in there?”

  “No one,” Olivia said. “We’ll make some kind of pulley system so when it steps in the door gets slammed shut. I haven’t figured out the details yet, and I’ll have to be inventive with what we’ve got here in Kaskum, but it’s perfectly possible.”

  “I like it,” Mason said. “Because we can’t continue like this. It’s too damn brave and determined, someone else is going to get hurt or more likely, killed.”

  “There’s no reason we can’t clear the idea with Yamba and get started tomorrow,” Harry said.

  “I agree, the sooner the better.” Paul nodded. “And I really don’t think the village chief is going to have a problem with keeping his people safe.”

  They all fell quiet. Olivia began to think of how she could make the trap work so the leopard and they were unharmed.

  “Olivia,” Evan said. “Is there something you want to discuss?”

  She glanced at Evan then Paul. “Er, yes. There is.”

  Paul cleared his throat and crossed his legs.

  “Liv?” Harry said, reaching for her hand. “You okay?”

  She allowed him to wind his fingers with hers. With her other hand she reached for Paul’s and brought it to her lap.

  The expectant, slightly concerned look on her men’s faces shifted as they saw Paul accept her taking his hand.

  Harry appeared surprised. Evan unusually serious. Raul raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth but didn’t speak. Mason’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Lucas. Lucas gave an almost imperceptible nod.

  “Paul and I have become close,” Olivia said, glancing at Paul and then at Harry, Raul, and Mason. “Very close… He’s one of us now.”

  “What are you saying, Liv?” Harry asked.

  “I’m saying we have strong feelings for each other, physical and emotional.” She paused. “Consider him one of the crew.”

  Paul squeezed her hand.

  “Is this true?” Mason directed at Paul.

  “Aye.”

  “And you’ve…?”

  “Aye.” Paul set his attention on Olivia. “We couldn’t help ourselves.”

  “Mi niña hermosa, you didn’t think to talk about this first? Another man?”

  “It didn’t happen like that,” Olivia said. “And this is Paul, not just any other man, he’s family already, part of us.” She nodded at the twins.

  “You hurt her…” Mason said, standing and pointing at Paul.

  “Keep your wig on, Mase,” Paul said. “I’ve already had the talk from Lucas.”

  “Good.” Mason appeared to calm a little and sat back down.

  “And I’ll echo that,” Harry said. “We like you, Paul. You’re a great guy with a lot to offer, but Liv’s happiness is our priority. What we’ve got going on here started on board Temptress and it’s special.” He nodded at Evan. “Don’t you agree?”

  “Yes.” Evan folded his arms.

  Harry frowned. “You don’t seem that surprised, Evan, did you and Lucas already know?”

  “Let’s just say she blurted it out in the Jeep, when the leopard was giving us the evil eye through the windscreen.”

  Olivia shuddered at the memory.

  “Fuck,” Harry muttered.

  “It will be okay,” Olivia said, squeezing Harry’s hand. “It has to be.”

  “I want it to be more than okay.” Harry released her and stood. He ran his fingers through his hair and poked at a stone with the toe of his boot.

  “I didn’t mean to put a fly in the ointment,” Paul said. “I just thought since you all share her—”

  “That doesn’t mean we share her with other people,” Raul said.

  “But as we’ve already established, he’s not other people, is he?” Lucas shrugged. “He’s our brother, he’s clearly got feelings for Olivia and she him.”

  “Thank you, Lucas,” Olivia said. She wasn’t about to deny her feelings for Paul, they were there, and they were real. Different to how she felt about the others, but still strong and needed to be acknowledged.

  “I agree.” Harry placed his hands on his hips. “What are your thoughts?” he directed at Evan.

  “It doesn’t change my relationship or love for Olivia,” Evan said.

  “Or my love for you, all of you,” Olivia said, swinging her gaze around them. She had to reassure her men, make them realize nothing had changed by her adding another man to her life. “There’s plenty of me to go around.”

  “We know.” Evan nodded at her then spoke to Harry. “And I think we should still go ahead with our plan for this evening.”

  “Plan?” Olivia was confused. “What plan?”

  “This,” Raul said, then slipped from his chair onto one knee.

  “Raul?” she said. “What are you doing?”

  “It’s not just him.” Evan dropped to one knee, too.

  Then Mason and Lucas.

  They all stared at her.

  Her heart picked up a notch. “Guys?”

  “Olivia,” Harry said, rubbing his hairy chin. “Will you marry us?” He sank to one knee, mimicking the pose of the others.

  A hysterical giggle burst up from her chest as she looked at them all kneeling before her. “What are you t
alking about? I can’t marry you all?”

  “Si, you can.” Raul smiled at her.

  “But it’s illegal.” She released Paul’s hand and scooted to the edge of her seat. Five anxious faces—faces she loved so much—studied her.

  “Not here,” Evan said. “Polygamy is the norm.”

  Her head was spinning. “But…”

  “We’ve spoken to Yamba,” Mason said, “and he understands our situation.”

  “And is happy for the ceremony of you taking five husbands to happen here at Kaskum.” Raul paused. “He is very grateful for everything we have done and keen to repay us.”

  “You spoke to Yamba about us?” If it weren’t for the deadly serious tone of their voices, she’d think they were all joking.

  But they weren’t.

  “Tomorrow night,” Lucas said. “We want you to marry us. You will become ours and we will become yours…officially.”

  She swallowed. A ballooning sensation was filling her chest. She loved these men so much. She wanted to commit to them and them to her. Nothing would make her happier.

  “Please say yes,” Harry said. He glanced at Evan.

  “One little word,” Evan said. “It’s not hard.”

  “We love you.” Raul pressed his hand over his heart. “So much.”

  “Aye, we do.” Mason nodded.

  She studied Lucas. He wore an expression of such devotion she couldn’t refuse him, or any of them.

  “Well,” she said, standing. “If you put it like that, and it’s all arranged. How can I refuse?”

  Harry grinned. “So it’s a yes?”

  Instead of answering, she turned to Paul. “Did you know about this?”

  “I heard them talking, when you were in the shower.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “And you’re here. You want me, right?” She raised her eyebrows.

  “Yes.”

  “So, get down on one knee, Paul.”

  An expression of surprise crossed his face. He bit on his bottom lip and glanced at his brothers.

  She wondered if she’d pushed it too far, but she knew, in her heart of hearts, once she’d made a commitment to Harry, Evan, Raul, Mason, and Lucas, she wouldn’t be with any other man—unless that man also committed to her.