by Rhian Cahill
“It’s not so bad. I doubt I could have done a better job earlier, not without sutures.” Her words, he knew, were supposed to reassure him but nothing except an uninjured Doc could do that.
“Feel like eating?” Steve gathered up what was left of the first-aid kit and the trash. “You need to build up your strength. I’m no chef, but I can open a can of soup.”
“I’m not sure my stomach is up to eating yet, but you’re right. And a bowl of warm soup sounds wonderful.” The smile in her voice didn’t move her lips or reach her eyes but that wasn’t surprising when she had to still be in pain.
“I’ll grab those pain pills and a glass of water first.” He stood and turned for the door but Doc’s voice stopped him before he took a step.
“Steve?”
He turned to face her. “What do you need?”
“Thank you.” Her mouth curled slightly on the ends and she couldn’t hide the flinch the action caused. “For everything.”
Steve sighed. “Gordie you know I’d do anything you asked. The trouble is, until last night you never needed me.” He spun around and strode from the room. Emotions collided inside him. Love, desire, rejection, guilt, frustration. One thing about Doc, she made him feel it all.
* * * * *
Gordie sank into the soft pillows at her back and closed her eyes. She’d swallowed the pain meds Steve had given her before heading to the kitchen to heat some soup. It wasn’t exactly a nutritional breakfast but at the moment that was the least of her concerns. She needed food while she healed—any food. Her aches had lessened since she’d woken, whether that was from the pills or her own body healing she couldn’t say, and really didn’t care.
She couldn’t bring herself to care about much of anything right now. Having Steve look after her, tending her injuries with such a gentle touch had soothed her in a way she hadn’t expected. As much as she’d told him she wasn’t ready for the next step in their relationship, Gordie couldn’t deny she was closer than ever to giving in to her need for him. The edge of fear that always accompanied her emotions when she thought of Steve and what they could be had disappeared in the space of a few hours.
For years she’d used that fear to keep her distance. Without it, Gordie knew it was only a matter of time before they took the final step. Only one thing stood between them now. She needed to make peace with her past and the guilt she’d lived with for so long. Anthony would be the first person to encourage her to move on, but he wasn’t here to nag her into it and as much as it hadn’t been on a soul-deep level, she had loved him, still mourned his loss as though it happened yesterday.
Letting go of her guilt would be like losing Anthony all over again but it wouldn’t be fair to Steve or her to take their attraction further until she had. The attack last night only served to remind her that life was short, too short to not take the happiness offered. Gordie hoped Steve had meant what he said about no pressure. With everything going on in her life right now she didn’t think they’d be taking that final step anytime soon.
Chapter Two
December Twenty-third
Steve’s boots crunched through the fresh layer of snow on the ground as he made his way to the back door. Knocking the slush from his heels, he slipped through the open door and shut it behind him, making sure the deadlock engaged. His gut tightened. It wasn’t like Doc to leave the clinic open after hours. Careful not to make a sound, he turned and listened. Various motors associated with a doctor’s office hummed and the tick of a clock beat steadily but Steve couldn’t detect any other noise.
Where was Doc? Steve hadn’t seen her outside when he pulled up and he’d driven past the front of the building on his way to the back alley. She was expecting him. They’d spoken on the phone not fifteen minutes earlier. So where the hell was she and why was the clinic left unlocked? Something was wrong. Had been for weeks but Doc refused to talk about it. He cursed her for keeping him at arm’s length. Still.
His senses were on full alert as he stepped along the dark corridor. The door to Doc’s office was wide open, the chair pushed back from the desk as though she’d gotten up in a hurry. A chill slid down Steve’s spine and the hair across his nape stood on end. He went deeper into the building. The next door was closed and he placed his ear against the timber. No sound came from the other side, not that he expected to hear anyone in the storeroom.
Doc kept the room locked unless she was in there but he tried the knob regardless. It didn’t budge. Noise farther down the hall had his head snapping around. There was no one in sight and the place had gone quiet as a tomb again but he’d definitely heard something.
Gordie, where the hell are you?
The next room he came to served as the theater and morgue. Steve peered around the door frame. At a glance everything appeared to be in place so he moved on to the first examination room. Bright murals and mobiles made the children’s exam room like a playground and other than the gentle sway of the coyotes dangling from the ceiling where the central heating duct blew warm air into the room, there was no movement.
Steve paused, listening for any sign of life. There were two more rooms plus the reception office and waiting area to search. His senses told him he wouldn’t find anyone. He could smell Doc’s lingering scent, but couldn’t tell if she was here or not, the smells associated with any medical facility masked others and that made his instincts howl with frustration. She would never leave the clinic unattended and she certainly wouldn’t leave the back door unlocked, never mind open.
He wanted to race through the rest of the building, throwing open doors and yelling Doc’s name, but he stayed on the side of caution just in case he’d misjudged the situation. What danger could be lurking he hadn’t a clue and he didn’t really want to find out. All he wanted was Gordie. To know she was safe. He stepped into the next exam room. Movement to the left in his peripheral vision made him turn and crouch.
A large, silver blur rushed past his temple, ruffling his hair and almost making him miss the other, smaller steel implements flying in his direction. He ducked and rolled to the side. Landing on his stomach, he looked across the room. Gordie stood with her arms raised, an instrument tray in her hands, and the look of fear on her face brought his protective instincts and coyote screaming to the surface. Steve barely held on to his human side. Something or someone had terrified his mate and he was ready and willing to take that threat apart.
“Gordie!” Steve remained still, strained against the need to go to her, and tried to show the frightened woman he wasn’t a danger. “It’s me. Steve.”
Her face drained of color and her shoulders sagged as she lowered the tray. “Oh God. Steve?” Her words were no more than a breath.
“Yeah, baby, it’s me.” He slowly pushed off the floor. “The door was open, Doc.”
“The door?” Her gaze darted to the doorway behind him.
Her vagueness worried him. Whatever had caused her fear had done a real number on her. She hadn’t been this shaken up after the brutal attack months ago. He took a step toward her, his movement made her flinch, the metal tray dropping to the floor at her feet with a spine-rattling crash. Doc’s hands clenched into fists at her sides but the action didn’t hide the fact she was trembling.
He took another step, kept the motion smooth so as not to startle her again. Steve quickened his pace when she swayed. He’d taken two strides when she began to crumple to the floor. Darting forward, he barely caught her in time and he ended up sitting on the cold linoleum, Doc cradled in his lap. She threw her arms around his neck, buried her face against his chest and burst into tears.
Dumbstruck by this vulnerable Doc in his arms, it took Steve a moment to think straight. Holding her close, he rocked them, ran his hands up and down her back, and whispered words of reassurance he wasn’t even sure he believed. He told her it would be all right but he had no idea if his words were true when he had no clue about what had happened.
When her sobbing eased off to the odd hiccup, Ste
ve reached into his pocket for his phone. It took him a couple of tries but he finally got the number he was after and hit call. He listened to two rings before a deep voice answered.
“Dale Turner.”
“Come to the clinic.”
“What the hell is going on, McKenna?”
“I don’t know exactly but you need to come now.”
“I’ll be there in five.”
The line went dead in his ear. He pulled the phone back into view and scrolled through his address book. Hitting call a second time, Steve brought the device back to his ear. It rang five times before Brogan picked up.
“Wilder.”
“Where are you?”
“In town, why?”
“You need to come to the clinic.”
“I’m not liking the sound of your voice, Steve.”
“Neither am I but I’m dealing. Just get here.” He hung up before his friend could question him further.
Pocketing the phone, he shifted Doc so he could get them off the floor. She lay limp in his arms as he got to his feet and walked over to the exam table. Placing her on the bed proved difficult when she wouldn’t let go of his neck.
“I’m not leaving but I have to let the sheriff in when he gets here.” Loud banging echoed down the hallway. “That’ll be him now. I’m coming right back.”
Steve untangled her arms and settled her back on the pillow. He grabbed the folded blanket from the foot rail, shook it out and spread it over her, tucking in the sides. He brushed a hand over her face, pushing her hair out of her eyes. “Be right back.”
Making his way to reception at a jog, he crossed the waiting area and unlocked the front door. Dale, Brogan and Quinn charged in, making Steve jump back or be knocked down by the three men. He started to shut the door when Rowan and El stepped inside.
“Well, the gang’s all here.”
“Cut the crap, McKenna. What the fuck’s going on?” Brogan demanded.
Steve sighed. “I don’t know exactly yet. I got here about ten minutes ago and the back door was open with no one in sight.”
“Where was Gordie?” Rowan asked.
“In the exam room but I didn’t know that then.”
“What do you mean by that?” Dale stepped closer.
“I’ll explain everything but first I have to get back to Doc.” Steve turned, throwing over his shoulder, “Make sure you secure the door.”
“Secure the door? Just what the fuck is going on, Steve?” Brogan boomed.
“Stop yelling. Doc’s nerves are frayed enough without you adding to it.” Steve entered the exam room to find Gordie had turned on her side facing the doorway. Her eyes where huge in her chalk-white face and his gut knotted. He walked over and gathered her into his arms, needing to feel her against him to know she was safe.
Wrapped in the blanket, she curled up on his lap as he took a seat in a chair. She trembled and in spite of the blanket and warm room, her body temperature had gone down as though she’d been outside without her coat.
“Gordie?” Rowan knelt at his feet, brushed her hand over Gordie’s head. “Can I get you something? A drink maybe?”
“Tea. Warm, sweet tea will help.” El patted Doc’s shoulder. “I’ll get a cup.”
Steve loved that their group of friends were rallying around Doc but hated that she needed them at all. He’d give her another minute to warm up before he asked any questions. The three men stood in the room like a barricade against any further threat, their menacing faces enough to scare off the toughest of adversaries, known or otherwise.
El returned with a mug of tea and Steve held it to Doc’s lips. She sipped, her hands wrapping around the cup and his hand. Her fingers interlocked with his and she gave him a gentle squeeze before she pushed the hot drink away and sat up.
“I’m okay.” She sighed before lowering her head to rest on his shoulder.
“Wanna tell us what happened?” Steve asked.
“Not really much to tell. Someone was in the clinic. I’d locked up before talking to you so I don’t know how they got in. Or how they got out.”
“Out’s easy. They went through the back door. It was open when I got here.” He handed the mug to Rowan. “Did you get a look at who it was? Were they after drugs?”
Doc let out a chest-shaking sigh. “This is going to sound stupid and I won’t blame any of you for thinking me crazy.”
Dale laughed. “You’re the least crazy person on the planet, Doc.”
“Besides, in the last year there’s been lots of crazy shit going on in this town,” Brogan added.
“He was in black from head to foot. A beanie on his head and some sort of scarf over his face but I’d know those eyes anywhere.”
Steve tensed. He knew what was coming, felt it in his bones and yet it still hit him like a two-by-four when Doc said the name.
“Marcus.” She shuddered and sagged against him. “It was Marcus.”
“Son of a bitch.” Brogan lunged for El as she slumped to the floor. “Shit.”
“I’m okay, Brogan. A little wobbly in the knees, but I’m okay,” El said.
“Jesus, woman. Don’t do that.” Brogan held her in his arms.
Steve almost laughed at the terrified tone in his friend’s voice but he knew all too well what Marcus was capable of doing. It had only been a few weeks since the maniac had had El at his mercy so her weak knees were understandable.
“Are you sure, Doc?” Dale asked.
“She wouldn’t have said it if she wasn’t,” Steve snapped.
“Whoa.” Dale held up his hands. “Just checking. It’s my job, remember?”
Steve relaxed his tight grip on Gordie. “Sorry, but Doc doesn’t lie.”
“Never said she did but adrenaline can do a number on you and so can fear. She wouldn’t be the first victim to make a mistake.”
“No mistake.” Gordie shifted in Steve’s arms. “Help me sit up, Steve. It’s time we told everyone about last May.”
“While you’re at it maybe you’ll tell us what’s been going on for weeks now too?” Steve was over being kept in the dark. If Doc was prepared to reveal what had happened back in spring then she could damn well tell him what the fuck had been going on recently.
Gordie knew Steve was right. She hadn’t mentioned any of the events leading up to last May’s attack or the ones in recent weeks to anyone but today showed her she couldn’t deal with Marcus on her own. And there was no doubt in her mind that Marcus was behind everything. A shiver rippled through her. He’d gotten way too close this evening. He wouldn’t get a second chance.
“Can we do this back at the house?” She looked at Steve. “I’d prefer to leave here. I’m not avoiding, putting off maybe, but I will tell you everything.”
“I don’t see why not. Any objections?” Dale asked.
“Yeah, I’ve got one.” Steve’s voice cut into her nerves and skated over her skin like ice. “You’re not going back to your house.”
“What? Of course I am. Where else would I go?”
“My place.”
Gordie opened her mouth but didn’t get out a sound, never mind a word.
“No arguments, Gordie. I’m done. No more running. No more hiding.” His gaze bore into hers, slicing right to her soul. “Understand?”
There was no argument she could put forward. Not with every part of her shrieking for him to stay with her—hold her. In the months since that horrible night in the forest behind his house she’d made every excuse under the sun to keep him at arm’s length. He’d pushed but he’d never once stepped over the invisible line she’d drawn between them. Until now.
She nodded.
It surprised Gordie, the relief that washed over her. She would have thought having Steve make the decision would chafe at her independent nature but it felt liberating—right. They stared at each other, testing the new agreement between them. Steve broke the connection and turned to face the others.
“Rowan, can you go over to The Den and
ask Kat for some of her famous beef stew to go? Oh, and you better see if she can come out to the house for this too. If not, tell her to come out when she’s done for the night.” Steve took charge with ease. “Quinn, can I get you to change the locks on the clinic? I’d do it but I want to get Doc home and comfortable before we hash through everything.”
“Sure thing, I’ll meet you out at your place. Brogan, you and El take Rowan with you.”
“Gordie, do you want me to ask Kat to get you anything from your place?” Rowan asked.
“We’ll deal with that tomorrow. She can make do with what she’s got. The clinic is closed now through to New Year so Doc won’t need anything in a hurry.” Steve finally turned back to her. “Where’s your purse?”
“In my office, bottom desk drawer.” She still hadn’t faced the room but she could hear shuffling and footsteps on the linoleum floor as her friends began to leave the room.
“Did you walk to work today? Your car wasn’t out back,” Steve asked.
“No, Kat brought me in. She stayed over last night.” Gordie didn’t tell him why she’d convinced her sister to spend the night. There was no point starting that conversation yet.
“Okay, let’s go.” Steve, still holding her in his arms, cradled her close and got to his feet. “Dale, are you following us out to the house now?”
“No, if it’s all right with Doc, I’ll wait for Quinn to get back with those locks and have a look around in the meantime.”
“Do you think you’ll find anything?” She tilted her head to look at Dale. “I mean, I didn’t hear anything until he was right behind me, no doors opening, no footsteps, nothing.” She shivered at the memory of turning around and coming face-to-face with Marcus.
“He’s gone, Doc.” Steve’s quiet words, murmured in her ear, caused her tense muscles to relax. How he knew what she was thinking, Gordie couldn’t begin to explain, and held in his warm embrace she didn’t bother trying. She just snuggled closer.
