by Becca Van
“Come here, honey.” Linton held his hand out to her and scooted his chair back from the table. She took his hand and let him pull her onto his lap. She snuggled into him when he wrapped his arms around her.
“We will do everything within our power to keep you safe. Do you trust us, Nyssa?”
His gaze held a calming certainty that he meant and believed everything he said.
“Yes,” Nyssa sighed. “I trust all of you.”
“When this is over, little girl, you’re coming home with us,” Codi stated firmly.
She looked from Codi to Bryden and up to Linton and back to Codi again. All three of them had a steely gleam in their eyes. Her heart stuttered for a moment and then hope filled her, but she tamped it down. Was Codi finally telling her he wanted a relationship with her? Nyssa had been dreaming of having all three of the Healy brothers asking her to stay with them, but she’d never visualized that scenario happening. Especially coming from Codi.
“You r−really want me?” she asked uncertainly.
“Yes, darlin’, we really want you.” Bryden stroked a finger down her cheek.
“I have a feeling we are going to blow this black-market organ-smuggling ring wide open,” Codi said.
A shudder of fear raced up her spine, and her breathing escalated. Nyssa didn’t want to go to work, but she knew if she didn’t, then she could blow the whole mission. “I’m scared I’m going to do something to ruin things.”
“You’ll be fine, honey.” Linton hugged her. “Just make sure your transmitter is on at all times. Don’t you worry, we’ll be able to hear everything you do.”
“Okay. Let’s contact Coulter. I want the rest of the team backing us up. I want Wolf close by just in case things go south,” Codi said and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “The sooner they get here, the better. Nyssa, is it okay if we use your house for the others?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks, honey. Don’t worry. You’ll do just fine.”
Another shudder raced up her spine. Nyssa had a knot the size of a basketball in her gut. She just hoped that things went according to plan, because if they didn’t, she could lose the loves of her life.
Chapter Ten
The ringing of the phone made Nyssa jump a mile. She clapped her hand over her heart and glanced over her shoulder. The door to the exam rooms was closed, and the lobby was empty.
She let out a shaky breath. Coming to work this morning was one of the hardest things she had ever had to do, but trying to act normal around her boss was even harder. And it was only Monday. She had days of this ahead of her.
Confident now that her voice would be steadier, she answered the phone. “Dr. Jones’s office, Nyssa speaking.”
“Hello, Nyssa, this is Linton Wade. I’d like to make an appointment today if possible.”
“Um, sure, Mr. Wade, I can slot you in at three if that suits you.”
“Thank you, Nyssa. That would be great.”
“Okay, see you at three, Mr. Wade.”
“Bye, honey.”
Nyssa smiled and felt a little of the tension release from her muscles. It was going to be a long week.
How Nyssa got through the day she had no idea. She felt a little better when Linton came in for his appointment, but when he came out of the doctor’s office, he looked angry. He paid his bill, frowning until he looked at her. He must have seen how worried she felt, because he gave her an encouraging wink before he left.
When it was time to leave for the day, she was so relieved she was nearly in tears. How much more stress could she take? After locking up, she walked to the corner and nearly sagged with relief to find Codi waiting for her. He got out of the truck and helped her in.
“You did good, baby. Come on, let’s get you home. You’re exhausted.”
When they got home Codi guided her up the steps and inside. The living room was full of men. They were all big, good-looking men, but she only had eyes for Codi, Linton, and Bryden.
“Hey, darlin’, are you okay?” Bryden met her near the door and hugged her.
She leaned her head on his chest, trying to soak up some of his strength. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“No, you’re not. You’re exhausted,” Linton said from behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. How did he sneak up behind me without me even hearing him? Must be one of his skills.
“Come and meet the others, baby.” Codi clasped her hand and pulled her over to the sofa. He sat down and with a tug brought her onto his lap. “Nyssa, these are the rest of the Elite Dragons. Over there are our team leaders, Coulter, Trace, and Corbin Thornell. Then we have Seton, Wolf, and Lander Garman. And last but not least is Stedman, Ward, and Bronsin Tiltman, the grooms-to-be. So we have to bring them back in one piece.
“Usually one of the teams would stay home to protect the women, but since this looks like it could be the end for the perps we need all hands on deck. Our bosses volunteered to keep them safe for a change.”
“Hi,” she greeted shyly.
“Nyssa, I want to thank you for volunteering to help us out,” Coulter said. “If not for you, we probably wouldn’t have had a chance in hell of completing this mission.”
“Um, thanks.” Nyssa licked her dry lips. “But I haven’t done anything.”
“Oh, she’ll fit right in, guys,” Trace said with a chuckle.
“Yes, she will,” Codi agreed.
“What are you…”
“Relax, baby.” Codi pulled her back against his chest.
“Okay, listen up.” Linton drew every eye in the room. “Dr. Jones wouldn’t tell me what the package is, but we have every reason to believe it’s the kidnapped women. He wants me to move it from here to Creston, Canada. That is over a six-hour drive. Jones said he’d call me when I was an hour away from the rendezvous point with the address. I was hoping he wouldn’t be so cautious and would give me everything I needed so we could set up in advance. But since that’s not possible I want a team waiting in Creston so we can at least get a head start. Hopefully the place will be empty so we can set up a few traps, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
“I want Codi and another team trailing me in case this is a setup and I’m ambushed on the way. Bryden, you are to watch over Nyssa and, if it’s all right with you, Seton, I want you, Wolf, and Lander backing him up. Just in case your medical skills are needed, Wolf.”
“Good idea,” Coulter said. “Trace, Corbin, and I will take point in Creston, which leaves Codi, Ward, Stedman, and Bronsin following Linton. Is everyone clear?”
“Yes” was the resounding response.
“Good, now why don’t we order some pizza? I’m starving,” Bronsin said with a smile.
“You’re always hungry, Bronsin.”
“So?”
Nyssa spent the evening listening to the men verbally sparring. She was glad for the diversion and felt more tension ease away as the night progressed. The men sprawled out in the living room, but all of them were obviously very close and comfortable with each other. She guessed working together for so long would maintain camaraderie between them. She was snuggled up on Bryden’s lap, and even though it wasn’t late, only nine o’clock, she could barely keep her eyes open.
“It’s time you were in bed, little girl,” Codi said and scooped her off Bryden’s lap.
Nyssa didn’t protest. She was too worn out to bother. She wrapped her arms around Codi’s neck and nuzzled his skin. God, he smells so nice! He carried her to the bedroom, removed her clothes, and tucked her in. Placing a tender kiss on her lips, he stroked her hair and then left the room. Nyssa pulled the blankets over her head. As she felt sleep claiming her, she prayed to God to keep her men safe.
* * * *
“Your woman is scared out of her mind,” Bronsin said.
“Yeah, I know. I could feel it, too.” Bryden paced over to the window and back again.
“What are you going to do when this is over?” Trace questioned.
Linton grabbed some of t
he empty coffee mugs off the table. “We want her to come back home with us.”
Corbin rose to his feet and stretched. “You obviously all have feelings for her. Have you asked her to move when this is finished?”
“Yes.”
“Have you told her about us?” Coulter leaned forward in his chair.
“Yes, she knows,” Codi answered as he entered the room.
“You don’t think this is too much for her to handle?” Wolf queried.
“She might be a little shy, but underneath that she has plenty of backbone.” Linton headed for the kitchen.
“She has a lot of guts,” Codi said. “Besides your women, who else would have volunteered to help us out?”
“Good question,” Trace said. “Unless they were trained in law enforcement or the military, I’d have to say not many.”
“Do you think Nyssa will be okay?” Wolf asked.
“God, I hope so.” Codi ran his hand down his face. “Bryden set her up with one of those new tracking devices so we can hear and speak to her at all times. Ward, can you sit outside the clinic and keep watch, just in case things don’t go as planned?”
“No problem.”
“It’s going to be hard for her, having to face that asshole every day.” Bryden sighed.
“I have a bad feeling about all of this,” Bronsin said.
“What are you getting?” Coulter asked, his intent gaze on Bronsin.
Bryden didn’t like it when Bronsin felt bad things. He was the best empath out of all of them, and on their last foray into the black-market organ-smuggling ring, he led them to two women who had been hours away from where they’d been set up. None of the others had felt what he had, but his feelings had been true. It seemed that one of the captured women had been so scared she’d been projecting her feelings loud enough for Bronsin to pick up.
“Nothing really.” Bronsin rose to his feet and began to pace. “It’s just a gut instinct.”
“Which are usually well founded,” Trace interjected. “You haven’t steered us wrong yet, Bronsin.”
“That’s what scares me. I wish I could get…more. The harder I push, the less I’m feeling.”
“Let it go, bro,” Ward said. “Whatever it is, it will come eventually.”
“God, I hope so.”
“Okay, time to call it a night,” Coulter said. “Nyssa gave Codi a key to her place. We’ll stay here. The rest of you go to Nyssa’s. Just jump the fence. I don’t want anyone knowing we’re here.”
Stedman, Ward, and Bronsin left along with Seton, Wolf, and Lander. When they were gone, Bryden showed their team leaders to his and Linton’s rooms, which had clean sheets put on them in preparation. He and his brothers were sleeping with their woman. They weren’t leaving her alone any more than strictly necessary. Her emotional and mental well-being were just as important to them as her physical health.
Several times throughout the night Nyssa whimpered in her sleep like she was having a nightmare. Bryden was sleeping behind her, so he pulled her back into his arms and stroked her belly in soothing caresses. Each time she surfaced, he or his brothers helped her to settle until her breathing evened out again. Codi was sleeping across the end of the bed and Linton was on her other side.
Bryden heard Codi grunt several times when Nyssa kicked him as she slept, but he would just gently maneuver her legs and rub her skin. Poor Linton caught a smack on the mouth when she swung her arm wide and connected with his brother’s face. It took everything he had no to burst out laughing at the surprised look on Linton’s face.
“You can sleep on this side tomorrow night, asshole.” Linton scowled, but Bryden could see the humor in his brother’s eyes.
By the time morning came around, Bryden had only had a few hours’ sleep, but it was more than enough to sustain him and his brothers. They were used to going without sleep, especially when on a mission.
Nyssa stirred just before the alarm was due to go off. Bryden could hear the others already in the kitchen cooking breakfast, but he and his brothers hadn’t moved in case they woke her up. She was definitely going to feel the lack of restful sleep by the end of the day.
“What time is it?”
“Just before seven thirty. You have plenty of time, darlin’. How do you feel?”
“God, I’m so tired. I don’t know why. I slept all night but I feel like I haven’t slept a wink.”
“You were dreaming all night, baby.”
“Did I disturb you? I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, honey. What’s important is you get enough rest. We’ll make sure of that tonight.” Linton gave her a wink.
Bryden saw her take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Nyssa was so brave. His heart swelled with love and pride. Who wouldn’t fall in love with a woman who dared to put herself in the line of fire?
Chapter Eleven
For the past three nights her men had loved her with their hands, mouths, and bodies, and even though she had relaxed enough to sleep, she hadn’t had a restful night all week. With a sigh she stared at the ceiling and listened to the deep, even breaths of her sleeping lovers. She only had two more days, and then she would be free of the stress and worry. Surely she could handle just two more days.
Codi moved beside her and propped himself up on his arm. “Are you okay, baby?”
“Yeah, I’m just having trouble sleeping. I can’t seem to turn my mind off.”
“Do you know how proud I am of you, Nyssa? We all are. God, I am so in awe of your bravery. Even men trained to deal with this shit would have trouble coping with what you have over the last weeks.”
Nyssa shrugged but then moved over closer. Codi sighed and hugged her tight.
“I love you, Nyssa,” Codi declared then placed his fingers over her lips when she would have spoken. She wanted to speak of the feelings in her heart, too, but she stayed silent and allowed him to continue. “No, don’t say anything, baby. I just wanted you to know how I feel in case things go bad, how much you mean to me. When this is all over I want your answer about moving to North Dakota with us.”
Nyssa snuggled in, placed her arm across his upper torso, and rested her head on his chest. The steady beat of his heart was comforting and helped her relax enough to drift off to sleep.
The next morning Codi drove her to work and, just before she got out of the truck, kissed her nearly senseless.
“Check and make sure your transmitter’s on, baby,” he commanded.
Nyssa pushed the button and then whispered as she got out of the truck, “I’m scared, Codi.”
Codi got out and pulled her close for a hug. “You’ll be fine, Nyssa. Just pretend it’s another normal day at work.”
“Okay.” She sighed, leaning into him, reassured to have his arms and warmth surrounding her.
“You are so brave, baby. You better go before you’re late. I’ll see you tonight. I’m going to check in with you several times today, but if you need me just call.” Codi tapped her earlobe. “And remember Ward will be close by.”
“I will.” Nyssa pulled away, gave him a tremulous smile, and headed to the office.
By the time she unlocked the door, she was so scared that her hands were ice cold. She set up her computer and tried to concentrate on one task at a time. Two women came in within an hour of each other, and Nyssa was glad for a break in the monotony. The only other work she had was going through patient files and printing out their details to hand over to the Elite Dragons.
Codi checked in with her as did Linton and Bryden, and each time she whispered her reply that she was okay.
By the time the last patient left at four, she was beginning to think the day would never end. She had just printed out the last patient’s details when the door to Dr. Jones’s office door opened. He was headed straight to the printer.
Shit! Nyssa rushed toward the printer, but Dr. Jones was closer and beat her to it. He picked up the paper and perused it. He looked up and pinned her with his gaze. He was frown
ing at her. Nyssa felt a shiver of fear skate up her spine at the malevolence in his eyes as he stared at her.
“What’s this?”
“Uh, I thought we should have paper files, too. You never kn−know when a computer will crash.”
“Hmm. Come into my office, I want a word.”
Nyssa frowned. “There’s no one here. Surely we can talk out here.”
“My office now, Nyssa,” he ordered.
Shit! Did he see through my lie?
“Sit down, Nyssa.” He indicated the chair across from his desk.
Nyssa didn’t want to sit because he was still behind her, but if she didn’t, she could rouse his suspicions. So she sat down with her back to him and waited.
He came up behind her and placed an arm across her throat and gripped her hair so tight he brought tears to her eyes.
“What…”
“Quiet,” he barked. “You have been such a good little receptionist. You are a joy to work with, Nyssa.”
A sharp pain stabbed into her neck and everything began to get blurry. She tried to get her tongue to work, but whatever he gave her had paralyzed her. Nyssa couldn’t even move her pinky. The only things still working were her eyes. When he released her, she fell to the floor with a thud, right onto her chest and face.
God, that hurt! Warmth trickled from her nose, and tears leaked from her eyes. Did he break my nose? Fucking asshole! He moved away from her, and she heard him in the reception area. The phone gave one ring, and Nyssa knew the prick had put the answering machine on. She heard the snick as he engaged the lock to the front door.
What is he doing? Fuck, I’m screwed!
His shoes were within sight and then the bastard grabbed her hair close to her ear and lifted her to her feet. A hot, stinging pain shot through her earlobe and a slight ping sounded just before a small crunch.
No! The asshole had ripped her earring out when he’d grabbed her hair. As he dragged her to the door, she saw the remains of the device. It had been crushed beneath his shoe.
If she could have screamed she would have, but whatever he had drugged her with had frozen her vocal cords as well. Her nose was throbbing and bleeding as was her ear, a warm trail of blood was trickling down her neck, and now she couldn’t even call for help.
