by Lynn Hagen
Chapter Four
Reese…
I was being a dick, and I knew it. The problem was I wasn’t so much frustrated as I was helpless. I was frustrated because I wanted to yank Danni into my bed and have my way with him, but that was impossible with the condition I was in.
The male nurse drove me nuts with his light touches and the way his breath caught whenever he was near me. Was he driving me crazy on purpose? Was he one of those diabolical nurses who enjoyed toying with their patients?
What made it even more unbearable was the fact that my dick stayed hard around the guy. Jacking off had lost its appeal. I wanted a warm body under me, real moans that drove me wild.
I set the paperwork aside and ate my slice of pizza, washing it down with my soda while I wondered what Danni was doing. I also wanted to shift into my wolf to see if that would be more comfortable but was afraid I’d freak out the little nurse.
To hell with it. I would take my chances because my whole left side was killing me. Cracked ribs were no joke. I didn’t think I’d ever been in this much pain. Not even when Jersey shot me. It was unbearable to breathe, and I needed some kind of relief.
Even tossing the covers aside sent pain through my body. I gritted my teeth as I waited for the wave of agony to subside. When it became slightly manageable, I let my wolf take over. My hospital gown shredded, but it was just a gown. Nothing I cared about.
The pain eased just a little more. I could actually breathe easier without feeling as though I was being repeatedly punched in my side.
I snapped my head around when I heard a gasp and a crash. Danni had been carrying a tray, which was now on the floor, its contents spilled everywhere.
“Holy shit! You really are a wolf!”
I should’ve shifted back to ease the fear in his eyes, but the pain was too much in my human form. So I turned my head back around and rested it on my front legs. The more time I spent as a wolf, the more Danni would grow accustomed to seeing it.
Alfonso rushed into the room. He looked down at the carpet where the tray lay then at me. “Everything okay in here?”
Danni waved a hand at the bed. “How could anything be okay when there’s a wild animal lying there?”
Alfonso narrowed his eyes. “We’re not wild animals. It’s probably less painful for him in that form.”
Danni took a step back while his gaze swung between us.
“He’s not going to attack you,” Alfonso said. “Mr. Corbin still has a rational mind and can understand everything you’re saying.”
I looked over my shoulder in time to see Alfonso walk out of the room.
Danni still stood by the door, but the fire I liked so much was gone. He seemed unsure, twisting his hands together as he looked everywhere except at me. “Is it really less painful for you this way?”
I gave a single nod.
Danni pulled his shoulders back, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “I can handle this. You’re intelligent and can understand me, so I’m gonna trust that you won’t bite or maul me. It’s not a big deal.”
It was amusing to watch him talk himself into this. To be quite honest, I was half expecting to hear him argue back with himself.
“I just need you to be human when I have to give you your medicine.” He fanned his hand toward me. “Other than that, if this is more comfortable, I can deal with it.”
As if to prove his point, Danni approached the bed and stretched his arm out, leaning in toward me like he would haul ass at the first sign of aggression. He patted my rump. “Good boy.”
I gave a low, throaty growl, and he jerked back.
“What?” Danni stared bug-eyed at me. “That’s what you say when you pet a dog.”
“He’s not a damn dog,” Alfonso hollered from the other room.
Danni crossed the room and shouted, “Mind your own business!” He slammed the door closed. “Just because he can eavesdrop doesn’t mean he should. This is all new to me, so I’m sorry if I offend you.” His lips quirked. “Does the good boy want a treat?” He held up his hands as he snickered. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
I was so glad the little twit was getting so much enjoyment out of this. I should’ve nipped him to teach him a lesson. I couldn’t recall the last time someone had joked at my expense. Men feared me and did my bidding, or they suffered the consequences.
Yet this little slip of a man was getting pure enjoyment out of heckling me, and I was letting him. When a guy was in lust, they pretty much let their object of interest get away with much more than they normally tolerated.
In truth, I was a bit amused at his delight.
I shifted back to my human form and wished I hadn’t. I sucked down the pain through gritted teeth. I was also naked and didn’t try to hide my goods. “Depends on what kind of treat you’re talking about.”
Danni’s eyes widened as his gaze fell to my erection. Flames erupted on his face and the tips of his ears. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
“Where is all that smack you were talking?” I arched a brow. “Do you still want to pet this good boy?”
Danni scowled. “You’re an asshole.”
If I could’ve managed to get up, I would have gotten in his face for talking to me that way. “Watch your mouth.”
My tone was low and threatening, daring him to get smart with me again. I was already giving him leeway, but I was only going to let him take it so far.
“Is there anything else you need, Mr. Corbin?” Danni squatted and cleaned up the mess, putting everything back onto the tray. His movements were stiff. I could normally charm the pants off anyone, but it seemed no matter what I said, Danni took offense.
Fuck it. No matter how affected I was by his presence, I was going to keep things between us strictly professional from here on out. This wasn’t a game, and I needed to concentrate on getting better so I could hunt Robert down and kill the son of a bitch.
* * * *
Reese…
A week passed, and I was finally able to sit on the side of my bed without biting back a curse. I could even manage to take a piss without any help.
The downside was that Danni had barely spoken to me. He was the one who’d kept things strictly professional, and damn it, I didn’t like it at all.
I missed his snarky mouth and sassy attitude. Now all I heard were questions relevant to my health and what I wanted to eat. I didn’t try to engage him in conversation. This was what I’d wanted, so I dealt with it.
Now Max, Gabe, and Lucas were in the living room of my safe house—it was actually a sleek apartment uptown—talking about cases that were coming up, depositions, and a corporate merger they were trying to get a handle on.
I was only half listening, acutely aware of where Danni was in the apartment at all times. I was always aware of where Danni was. I heard his every move, every sigh, and it still drove my body crazy.
It was almost as if I’d become slightly obsessed with him as I lay in my bed listening to him putter around. I was beginning to look forward to meals and medication time just so I could see him.
He’d gotten under my skin, infuriated me, and sent a scorching wave of desire through my veins. I’d never wanted someone this badly before.
“Are you listening, Reese?” Max asked.
“Not in the least.” I glanced toward the kitchen where I knew Danni was preparing dinner. The smells in the apartment had my stomach growling while I tried to sit back in the cushioned chair, but every time I leaned back, my left side protested.
Gabe winked. “He’s got that hot little nurse on the brain.”
Lucas looked disinterested as he glanced over his shoulder and gazed at the kitchen. “You haven’t hit that yet?”
“He’s barely sitting upright.” Max grinned. “Can’t fuck if you can’t move.”
I curled my lip. “I could be in a body cast and still fuck the brains out of someone.”
If only that were true. It hurt sitting upright. My ribs were killing me, and my
bullet wound was tight and throbbing. I was also tired as fuck, but Danni had informed me that fatigue was part of a kidney injury.
I would gladly sit still on the chair while Danni straddled my lap. I wouldn’t have to do any work. He could bounce to his heart’s content.
“On to other business,” Max said, pulling my attention away from the noises I heard from the other room.
My gaze shot back when I saw Danni move into view, a large mixing bowl in his hands and an apron tied around him. He glanced my way, his eyebrows hiking before he moved out of my view so fast I thought he would trip over his own feet.
A nurse and a pretty good cook. I wanted to find out what other talents he had.
“Damn it, Reese,” Max growled. “Get your head out of the nurse’s ass and pay attention.”
“Are you sure you haven’t hit that yet?” Lucas’s brow arched. “You’re acting like some moonstruck teenager.”
“Leave him alone,” Gabe argued. “Just because you haven’t been hit over the head with the love stick doesn’t mean you can tease others about it.”
“You were beaten with it,” Lucas said to Gabe. “Fitch has your nose wide open. He sighs the wrong way and you’re ready to fly him halfway around the world.”
“Who the fuck said anything about love?” I nearly choked on the words. I wanted to have sex with the human, but love wasn’t part of the equation.
“Fine.” Gabe glared at me. “Lust. Is that better?”
“Business,” Max said impatiently. “I’m getting a damn headache. You guys are acting like high-school kids. This isn’t a fucking locker room. We need to discuss the Malkovich pack and the shit their doing.”
“I still say we should wipe them all out and start over,” Lucas said. “They’re about fifty strong and recruiting outsiders every day. If we don’t get their numbers down, they’ll be the ones running this town.”
I scratched my beard to hide my grimace. The longer I sat there, the more I hurt. My left side turned into one big, painful pulse. I was sweating and felt dizzy.
“Their numbers exceeded our own pack numbers,” Gabe said. “That’s never a good thing. The Romanos only have thirty members. If Antonio wanted to rise up and start an open war, there’s a possibility he could win.”
Max was openly staring at me. I was trying to play it cool, slouched in my chair, but the position was killing me.
“We can discuss this tomorrow.” Max turned his attention to Gabe and Lucas. “We should get out of here and let Reese get some rest.”
Thank fuck.
When Lucas looked at me, there was concern in his eyes. “Go lie down. We can talk about this later.”
I didn’t say a word as my friends left. When the door closed, I hissed and sat forward, grabbing my side.
Danni ran into the room, pressing his hand against my forehead. “I thought they’d never leave. You need to rest, Reese. You’re pale, sweating, and feel a bit warm.” He took a step back and wiggled his fingers at me. “Go ahead and become your wolf if that helps.”
Where the fuck was Alfonso? I needed help to my bed, and Danni wasn’t strong enough to hold my weight as I staggered to my room. “Get Alfonso.”
“He stepped outside when your friends arrived,” Danni said. “I haven’t seen him since.” Danni went to the door and poked his head into the hallway. “I don’t see him.”
“Call him.” I gritted my teeth, refusing to shift until I knew Alfonso was there. I couldn’t leave Danni vulnerable.
“Hang on.” Danni took his phone out of the back pocket of his blue scrubs and dialed. “He probably went for a sandwich. He likes the deli down the street.”
How much time had Danni and Alfonso spent together for the human to know that? It wasn’t as if Danni and I talked about everyday things. Even now we were talking about my health, nothing more personal than that.
“He’s not answering.” Danni frowned.
A wave of trepidation swept through me. “Lock the door. Put the kick bar in place.”
I was thankful Danni didn’t argue. He engaged both deadbolts and put the bar in place and then punched in the numbers to the security system to activate it. I had survived this long on instincts, and my gut was telling me something was wrong.
Had someone followed one of my friends here? Was this apartment compromised? If the Malkoviches were getting stronger with numbers, was their main objective to get rid of the council so they could rule Ridgeview?
Take out the weakest first. In my condition, that would be me.
“I’m going to turn the oven off so I don’t burn our dinner, and then I’ll help you to your room.”
I waited for Danni to return and then slid to the edge of the chair. “I need weapons. Go in my closet and retrieve the black box on the top shelf.”
“But you need to get in bed. You’re in no condition to fight. You look like you’re about to fall over at any second.”
“Call Max.” I winced as I pressed a hand against my side. “Get him and the others back here.”
They couldn’t have gotten far. They’d just left minutes ago.
“I thought it was safe here.” Danni was concentrating on the front door but gave me a side-eyed glance. “Nobody knows we’re here.”
“Sweetheart, nothing is foolproof. If an enemy wants you badly enough, they’ll find a way.”
Danni took out his phone as he hurried down the hallway. I sat there studying the door, praying nothing had happened to Alfonso and that an attack wasn’t about to happen.
* * * *
Danni…
Had I really signed up for this? No, I hadn’t. I’d agreed to take care of Reese until he was fully healed, but becoming his bodyguard hadn’t been part of the deal. That was Alfonso’s job.
So where in the hell was he?
If my mom ever found out the kind of trouble I’d gotten myself into, she’d kick my ass from here to the ocean. Even thinking about how disappointed in me she would be hurt my heart.
She’d busted her butt raising me on her own after my father had died. I’d been eight at the time, and he’d fallen asleep behind the wheel. Went head-on into a semi that had been in the opposite lane. The driver of the semi had walked away unscathed.
My dad hadn’t been so lucky.
When my call to Max went straight to voice mail—I should have been given the other friends’ numbers—I tucked my phone away and rushed to Reese’s closet.
The shelf was too high for me to reach the box. I saw it sitting back from the edge, but when I tried to grab it, even going so far as to jump up, I barely touched the shelf.
There was a straight-back chair in the corner by the window. I went for it, dragging it across the carpet. My eyes flitted behind the box when I was high enough to see. On the shelf was a sawed-off shotgun, with a box of shells next to it.
I grabbed the shotgun and the black box. I set it on the bed and saw writing on the top of the box. FX19. I popped open the tabs to lift the lid. Since there weren’t any children in the apartment, I couldn’t bitch him out about not locking it.
Inside was a nasty-looking gun. I admitted, if only to myself, that it also looked badass. It wasn’t anything I wanted to handle, though. I was terrified of guns.
But I picked it up anyway, smart enough to keep the barrel away from my face. It had a tiny scope on it, built right in, and since I was afraid of guns, it felt like it weighed a million pounds.
I took the items to Reese, who was still sitting on the edge of his chair. “I couldn’t get ahold of Max. The call went straight to voice mail. Maybe you can call one of your other friends.”
Reese was still sweating like crazy. He needed to lie down. I wanted to insist that he at least lie on the couch, but if bad guys really were coming, that wasn’t an option. “Can you grab my cell phone off my nightstand?”
I ran to the bedroom and retrieved it, bringing it back. Reese dialed, hung up, and dialed again. “I don’t have a signal. I can’t make a call. Check yo
ur phone.”
My phone didn’t have a signal, either. “What do you think that means?”
“Someone doesn’t want us calling for help.”
My heart was galloping. Now I was sweating, too. At the hospital, the attack had happened so fast that it had been a blur. I hadn’t had time to think things through. I’d just sprung into action.
This waiting, knowing danger might be seconds away, made my knees weak, and I wanted to run and hide somewhere.
This had to be hell on Reese, who shouldn’t have been sitting upright let alone about to engage in a gun battle. “How’re you feeling?”
Reese grabbed the box, and I set the shotgun on the couch, glad to have it out of my hands. It appeared so innocuous sitting there, yet I knew the damage it could cause. I’d seen, firsthand, gunshot patients who’d either battled to live or who had died from such weapons.
“Like complete shit.” He slapped the magazine into the gun and nodded toward the kitchen. “You should go in there. If a fight is coming, I don’t need you caught in the crossfire.”
It was one thing to charge a bad guy with a syringe. I handled them all the time at work and at home because of my mom’s diabetes. I didn’t want to pick up the shotgun like I was Reese’s partner in crime.
We were not Bonnie and Clyde.
“I’m going to check on dinner.” I needed something to do to take my mind off this mess. We couldn’t get ahold of his friends, Alfonso was missing, and escaping the apartment was out of the question in Reese’s condition.
If someone did come, I prayed it was only one person. I’d heard their conversation earlier, though I didn’t understand some of it. But I had understood that their enemy was growing stronger, and I agreed with the dark-haired guy who hadn’t been Max.
That was never a good thing.
I’d also heard them poking fun at Reese for having some kind of crush on me. I’d been so busy trying to avoid the jerk that I hadn’t noticed.
Now that was the only thing on my mind, aside from an attack. The words from a week ago filtered into my mind about what kind of treat I would give Reese if he were a good boy. Despite the gravity of the situation, a smile tugged at the side of my mouth as I turned the oven back on.
