Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Captivate Their Lady [Wyoming Warriors 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)

by Paige Cameron

  As soon as Jack parked, all three jumped out. They took quick strides into the building and onto the elevator.

  “She’s on eight. It’s our ICU unit. I have her isolated for now since we have no idea what we’re dealing with. Some of us have already been exposed. There’s no need to take any further chances. My wife is a scientist. She took a sample of my blood and Rae’s earlier to study. Maybe she’ll find something to help us.”

  Jack stopped in front of a room. “You’ll need to wear a gown and mask,” he instructed them. “Inside the entryway, wash your hands and put on gloves.”

  “If we put on gloves she won’t feel our touch,” Garth complained.

  “She will. If she is as receptive to you two as your true mate would be.” He raised an eyebrow, clearly challenging Garth.

  “I like you.” Garth grinned, put on his gown and mask, then went into the alcove to wash and glove up.

  Rae was thrashing her head back and forth on the pillow and moaning. Sweat formed on her brow, face, and body. Jack listened to her heart.

  “Whatever is inside her is putting stress on her heart. Her heartbeat is rapid and irregular, not good.”

  Garth went to one side and Cad to the other. Garth took her hand, and Cad placed his on her brow.

  “We’re here, Garth and me and your physician, Jack. You will get better. We’ll help. Feel our energy flowing through you.” Cad reached for Jack’s hand, and Jack took hold of Garth’s. “A complete circle of wellness is flooding your blood, circulating throughout your veins from the top of your head to the ends of your toes. Hear my voice. Concentrate on my words. Listen to me. We will push the darkness out.” Cad continued to recite the words over and over. After about thirty minutes, her movements slowed, and her skin began to cool. She shivered from her wet gown and the damp sheets.

  “Amazing,” Jack whispered. “I’ve never seen such a quick improvement. Will it last?”

  Cad let go and flexed his hands, as did the other two. “Perhaps or we might have to try a few more times. If it doesn’t last after three times trying, it won’t be a permanent cure.”

  “Well, it gives us time to find out what we’re dealing with. I’m going out to call my wife and see if she’s found anything in the blood. Are you two staying?”

  “Yes, until she’s out of danger.”

  Chapter Eleven

  The nurse came in and shooed them out while she changed Rae’s wet gown and bedsheets. Garth and Cad paced the hospital corridor. As soon as the nurse left they went back inside.

  Rae was pale, but lying quietly. Cad touched her skin. “She’s still cool. Maybe the healing circle worked.” He sat on one side of her and Garth on the other.

  “Daren wouldn’t know to check the cowboys for a bullet wound. I’m going to call Mitch. The other bird was hit at least once,” Garth said.

  “It’s a good idea, but you can tell him.” Cad nodded his head toward the door.

  “How is she?” Mitch asked. He and Daren strode into the room, dressed in their gowns, masks, and gloves.

  Cad recounted the healing circle they’d done. “Did you hear what Garth said?”

  “Yes. I’ll have our foreman, Lang Connor, and some of the men he trusts do the checking.” He looked at Garth with questions in his eyes, but when Garth shrugged, he stepped away from the bedside to call Lang. He gave Lang the information, and then went back to the Rae’s bedside. Daren squeezed her hand. There was no response. “Has she been awake at all?”

  Garth stood by Daren. “Not since we’ve arrived.”

  Garth glanced at Cad when he saw the slight trembling return.

  Cad gathered them all around the bed. “We take hands. I’ll say the words and you put your other hand on her body and send healing thoughts to her.

  If this doesn’t work I’ll have to convince them to allow me time with her alone. But they are going to want explanations I’m not ready to give. Still, I won’t let her die. Garth moved to the top of her bed and placed one hand over her heart, and held out the other to Daren.

  Cad placed his hand on her forehead, and Mitch and Daren held one of her hands. Cad started to speak. Garth noticed her heart skip a beat, but then it steadied at the sound of Cad’s voice.

  “I love you, Rae. You must come back to Cad and me. We will treasure you, protect and comfort you. You are the woman for us. No one else can do. Healing warmth is a golden stream pouring into your blood and circulating to your every cell. Come back, Rae. You are needed and loved.” Garth said the words silently over and over as Cad spoke out loud.

  “Her trembling and fever didn’t get as bad this time, and her body responded a few minutes quicker.” Cad brushed his masked mouth across her forehead and stepped back. Garth kissed her through his mask. Mitch and Daren held her hands to their chests.

  “She is surrounded by love,” Cad said. “If this doesn’t bring her back I doubt doing it one more time will make a difference.”

  Mitch’s cell rang. “Hello. You do? Yes, take him headquarters. We’ll be right there.” He flipped his phone shut.

  “Lang was lucky. They found a cowboy, not ours, who they suspect is our culprit. He was hidden in some bushes across from the hospital. Lang said he suspected the man was hoping to sneak into the ER and steal supplies for his injury. Do you two want to come with us for the interrogation?”

  “Cad, you go,” Garth said. “I’ll be along, but I want to stay here and see if she has any more problems.”

  Mitch put his hand on Garth’s shoulder. “Thanks. I’d rather not see her left alone. I can send Sara to sit with her.”

  “I’ll call when I’m ready to leave,” Garth said.

  He was impatient for them to go. He pulled his chair close to her bed and held her hand. He’d started to close his eyes when Jack returned. Jack checked her temperature and her eyes and tongue.

  “She’s got a low-grade temp now. That’s much better than earlier. Her pupils dilate. Has she responded verbally yet?”

  “No. We did another healing circle when her brothers and Cad were still here. I’m going to sit with her for a while.”

  “Fine. Call the nurse if you have any concerns. My wife hasn’t been able to isolate the poison yet. She’ll continue to work on it. I’m going to sleep in my office. If you need me, call. I can be here in minutes.”

  “Thanks, Jack. I won’t forget your help.”

  “Hey, she’s one of ours. Everyone loves Rae.” He waved good-bye and went out.

  Finally, he was alone. Garth took hold of her hand and closed everything out of his mind but her. Silently he chanted the magic words his mother taught him when he was three years old. Over the years she’d instructed him in the power of their gift. She’d stressed it must not be used indiscriminately. He sent the words from his mind to Rae’s over and over.

  “Garth?” A whisper sounded in his head.

  He opened his eyes. Rae lay quiet. Her eyes were still closed. Taking a deep breath, he sank back into his trance.

  “Can you hear my thoughts, Rae?” Telepathically he sent the words to her. At first there was no reply, and then he felt her fingers stir in his hand.

  “It is safe to wake up, my love. You will get well and strong.” He repeated the message in his head then opened his eyes.

  Her purplish-blue eyes stared at him. “It is you. I thought I was dreaming.” She glanced at the bed and around the room to the window where the first dawn light began to brighten the sky.

  “I must have slept all night. Hopefully Jack will release me this morning. What are you doing here?”

  “Watching over you.”

  “Was I in danger?”

  “Not with me here. And Cad and your brothers have been by to check on you. They’ve caught the man we think you shot. They’re questioning him.”

  Rae smiled. But her eyes closed, and she sank into a deep, healthy sleep. Garth called Mitch.

  “She’s better. You can send Sara. I’d like to catch up on what you all are doing a
t your headquarters.”

  “Sara is ready. She planned to go visit Rae soon whether you called or not.”

  “I’ll be waiting for her.” Garth hung up and sat by the bed to hold Rae’s hand until Sara arrived.

  * * * *

  Cad must have ridden back with Mitch and Daren. He had left the truck for Garth. Garth stepped on the gas. He wanted to find out how much information the man had given them. Had the ones sent from their home planet discovered Garth was a shape-shifter? If so, did the man tell Rae’s brothers?

  After parking the truck, he took the steps two at a time and headed toward the elevator. A tall man stepped out from the hall.

  “May I help you?”

  “I’m going downstairs.”

  “Not until I check with my boss. What is your name?”

  “Garth. Who are you?”

  “The butler and general handyman.” He opened his cell and called Mitch. He explained about Garth and then snapped his cell shut. “You may go downstairs with me as your escort.”

  The man stuck his nose in the air and walked ahead of Garth to the elevator. He didn’t let Garth out of his sight until leaving him with Mitch in the conference room.

  “Is he an English butler?” Garth asked.

  “His family and mine have been together a long time. He’s much more than my butler.”

  Garth looked around the empty room. “Where is everyone?”

  “They’ve been taking turns trying to get information from the intruder.”

  “I gather no success thus far.”

  “No. We may have to use our mind machine. I’ll give Sahale one more chance to try his less intrusive methods.”

  “What is a mind machine?” Garth asked.

  “We’ve developed a machine that can do a mind search to find out what specific information the person has or do a sweep to take away all of the memories regarding us and why he or she came here.

  “Naturally, we use it only in the most dire circumstances to protect our people. The person is left with either partial or full amnesia. They don’t regain those memories.”

  “Our scientists have also made many discoveries during the past and present. With the three tribes rejoined we’d be almost invincible.”

  “But can we completely rely on each other?” Mitch asked. “I’ve given you a good deal of information. Don’t break my trust. You may share what I told you with Cad and your other leader, no one else.”

  “Ah, this is a test. I’ll have to find one for you.”

  “Why not share your secret? I’m sure it has to do with why the third tribe was sent away centuries ago. Once you let us read the scrolls your ancestors stole, I’ll know anyway. I’m sure the elders wrote about that incident. It’s one of the reasons the scrolls were taken.”

  “You’re a wise man. You’ve studied our past.”

  “What we have of it.”

  “Come to our compound in New Mexico. Meet our people. I will not tell you my most important secret until I am certain you are interested in our tribes joining together.”

  Mitch frowned. “I won’t be interested in us joining until I know what you hide.”

  Garth shrugged. “Then join with us to fight these intruders from our past. When we’ve succeeded we can address this question again.”

  “I agree. This is the best decision for now. And I will be watching you two with my sister. Don’t hurt her or all deals are off.”

  Garth stepped forward. “You insult me. We love her. She is safe with us.”

  “Good. I’ll still be watching.” Mitch stared at Garth, and he returned the glare.

  “Take me where they are interrogating the prisoner,” Garth said.

  * * * *

  Mitch led the way down the hall to the interrogation room. Garth would make a mighty friend or a dangerous foe. Mitch’s body wanted to take on his warrior’s persona. He cooled himself down. He’d smelled Garth’s stronger scent and knew of his desire to fight Mitch. This wasn’t the time. They had to rely on each other until this new danger was taken care of, but then, who knew what would happen?

  He and Garth joined Daren and Cad in the viewing room. They were watching Sahale work with the prisoner.

  “Any success?” Mitch asked.

  “No. He says he doesn’t know the overall plan. He and his partner were told to kill Rae and anyone else that got in the way,” Daren said. “I’m beginning to think he’s telling the truth. The leader gives the assignments and keeps the complete plan to himself. Then if one of them is captured they don’t know anything to tell us. Whoever this guy is, he’s smart, and he knows a lot about us,” Daren said.

  “How? If they just got here six months ago? They had to have met up with someone in one of our tribes that became a traitor and is helping them.” Mitch frowned. “An almost impossible task in such a short time.”

  “Maybe not.” Garth glanced at Cad before continuing. “We had the radio off our spaceship and have been working on it for years. About eighteen months ago our scientists made a breakthrough. They got it to working.”

  “You used it?” Daren asked.

  “No. We had a council meeting and decided to wait. We had already discussed meeting with you and seeing if the three tribes could reconnect. Our decision was to wait and have all of us decide whether to use it or not. But, in the interim, the radio disappeared. It had to be an inside job. We kept it in a secure location.”

  “You think whoever has the radio contacted our planet which led to their landing and this trouble?” Mitch asked.

  “Yes. We think the person reconnected with our planet. The warriors from there must have been planning this attack for some time. When this person talked to them they offered him something he wanted enough to betray us. He’d be a valuable asset to get questions answered before their arrival, prepare a place for them to stay, and a means of transportation.”

  “Then we need to make a visit to your place. The traitor has to be there,” Daren said.

  Mitch glanced back at Sahale and the prisoner. “We’ll have a mind sweep done to see if he’s hiding information, but I doubt it. Then day after tomorrow we’ll head to New Mexico with you.”

  “Good. I’ll let my council know to expect us,” Garth said. “I’m going to leave and go back to the hospital.”

  “You do love our sister,” Daren said.

  “Cad and I both do. Will someone see me out?”

  “I’ll take you,” Mitch said. They walked to the elevator and got on.

  “Can I use the same truck Cad and I have been driving? Where is Cad, by the way?”

  “He left just before you arrived. He said he wanted to let your other two men know what had been happening. And sure, take the truck and use it while you’re here.”

  A slight grin crossed Garth’s face. “A little more trust or another test?”

  “I’ll let you figure it out.” The elevator door opened and they got out.

  From the front door, Mitch watched Garth get in the truck and drive off. He had mixed feelings about the man. Part of him wanted to trust Garth and the rest of his men.

  But being one of the leaders for his two tribes, he cautioned himself to keep his guard up. There was plenty of time before he needed to decide about Garth and the third tribe.

  Chapter Twelve

  Garth drove by the cabin first. He’d shower and change before seeing Rae. Cad was inside with Raoul and Aleron. He turned when Garth walked in.

  “Thanks for calling on your way to the ranch house and letting me know she was better.” Cad motioned to the others. “I’ve been filling them in on all that happened last night.”

  “The man they caught is still not talking. I agree with Mitch that he was probably not told the whole plan. Anyone else we capture will not be fully informed either. The head of this group is sharp. We mustn’t let our guard down. He could be anyone. I’ve got to hurry. I’m anxious to see Rae.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  Garth grinned at Cad.
“I expected you would.” Garth quickly undressed, showered, and dressed in a clean shirt and jeans. When he was ready, he strode through the room and out the door. Laughing, Cad hurried to catch up.

  “You aren’t too anxious to see our woman.”

  “I’m ready to mate with her. I told you about going to her in her dream, but that’s not the same as her being awake and with me. I wonder how long it will take for her recovery.”

  “Since I assume you used your magic to help her heal, I’d say not long. Our bodies heal fast once we’re on the road to recovery and especially if helped along.”

  “I hope you’re right. I’d like to claim her before we leave tomorrow.”

  Cad looked worried. “That might be pushing it.”

  “We’ll see. I want to bond with her as you have.”

  When they walked in the room in the protective gear, Sara stood.

  “How’s she doing,” Cad whispered.

  “She’s slept most of the time. Jack has checked her twice. No fever, no restlessness, and her arm is much better. Jack said she’s almost well.”

  “We’ll give you a break and stay with her now,” Garth said.

  Sara laughed. “You two are like all the rest of our men. You want to be the one to take care of her and protect her. I understand. See you later.” She waved and went out.

  “I like her,” Garth said as the door closed behind Sara.

  “I do, too. And she’s a descendant from our tribe. That was a surprise.”

  Garth had walked around the bed. He put his hand on Rae’s forehead. “She’s nice and cool.”

  Cad took hold of her hand. “Yes and, thanks to you, well on her way to recovery.”

  Rae blinked her eyes and looked at Garth, then Cad. “Am I still in the hospital? I want to go home.”

  “You’re weak. You’ve been very sick,” Cad told her.

  “I remember snatches and at the end the darkness started to recede. My body felt as though someone was literally pulling the sickness out of me.” She stared at Garth. “It was you.”