Stormy Desire [Desire, Oklahoma 12] (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting)
Page 4
Lucas shrugged. “Just that she was hired by someone who wanted to see if Kline was cheating. Apparently, she witnessed a drug deal instead, one that went very bad.”
“So, she was hired by Kline’s wife, girlfriend—whoever. Get a name?”
“No. She insisted on confidentiality. She didn’t even want to tell us as much as she did, but I think it was the pain talking.”
Ace’s lips thinned. “Looks like the doc got the pain under control.”
Lucas couldn’t help but smile at the memory of her reaction. “Yeah. She didn’t want it, but Logan overrode her objections. His threat to spank her distracted her enough for the doc to give her the shot.”
His smile fell. “They’re very close.”
Ace nodded, understanding at once. “So close that it might be an issue.”
“Yeah.” Lucas turned to go back into the room again, anxious to see how Stormy was doing.
Ace followed him. “I can take her to the police station with me. The back room is set up for it.”
“No!” Stormy struggled to sit up, her eyes glassy. “I’m not—”
Logan eased her back down, easily overcoming her weak struggle. “You’ll stay where you’re safe!”
Stormy’s glare would have been more effective if her eyes hadn’t fluttered closed again. “You’ve been in this town too long. You’re even bossier than you were before.”
Logan frowned down at her, wincing each time Dr. Hansen pierced her skin to stitch her back up. “The bossiness is the same. You’ve just never done anything that scared me this badly before.”
Dr. Hansen glanced up at Ace. “I set the bullet aside for you.” He gestured toward the small tray at his side.
“Thanks.”
Devlin turned from where he’d taken Lucas’s position at the door. “Ace, taking her to the police station is not only going to be uncomfortable for her, but what happens when you get a call? When these people come to town to make trouble, your attention’s gonna be divided.”
Stormy forced her eyes open, gripping Logan’s arm. “I don’t want to bring trouble—”
Logan bent to kiss her forehead. “So you’ve said, honey, several times, but this is a hell of a lot more than you can handle.”
“You don’t know what I…can…han…dle. Damn it, Logan.”
Lucas smiled when her voice trailed off and her eyes fluttered closed again. “She’ll stay with us.”
Ace tucked the small plastic container holding the bullet into his shirt pocket. “I can watch her better if she’s at the station.”
Lucas had already begun to shake his head. “She’s our responsibility now.”
Stormy tried to sit up again but barely managed to lift her head. “Not your respons…bility. Damn it, Logan. You let…”
Devlin touched her calf. “Shh. Just lie back and relax. You’re safe.”
Amused at her scowl, Lucas reluctantly turned away from her to Ace. “Logan asked us to protect her, and that’s what we’re doing. She’ll be safe with us. Not only are there three of us, but our house is well-protected and you know it.”
Caleb accepted the prescriptions from Dr. Hansen and tucked them into his pocket. “Logan trusts us, Ace. I’m surprised that you don’t.”
Ace’s eyes flashed. “Of course, I trust you, but damn it, this is my town!”
Devlin grinned. “And it’s your job to single-handedly protect everyone. I know you like to be in control, but you’re gonna have to take a step back on this one.”
Scrubbing a hand over his jaw, Ace met Lucas’s gaze. “I don’t like it.”
Knowing how hard it would be on Ace to give up control, Lucas smiled faintly. “I know. We’ll keep you informed.”
“You keep her with you, but I’m still gonna be all over this. So will my men.”
“Never expected anything less.” With Devlin at the door, Lucas gave his attention to Stormy, relieved that the combination of the adrenaline crash and the pain medicine had all but knocked her out.
Her furrowed brow told him that she was anything but serene, but at least she wouldn’t be arguing with them for a while.
The entire side of the T-shirt she’d worn under her leather jacket was covered in blood. Her jeans were ripped and torn. Her boots were of premium quality, probably a gift from her brother, and they, too, were scuffed, something he suspected gave her a lot of pride.
He stared down at her, struck by her incredible beauty.
She was beautiful, but his attraction to her went far deeper than that.
She was obviously brave, had a sense of humor, and had a stubborn streak a mile wide.
She would be a handful, one that would keep him on his toes.
Trouble with a capital T, she was the sister of one of their best friends.
Injured and scared.
He had no business wanting to make her his.
Sobering, he looked away, unsurprised to see Caleb hovering over her, staring down at her with an expression Lucas had never seen on his face before, but one he instantly recognized.
Hunger and concern.
Dr. Hansen nodded and stepped away from her. “She’s ready to go.” He glanced at Caleb. “I’ve already given you instructions for her, and I’ll be over tomorrow to change her dressing.”
“Don’t. We’ll take care of it.” Lucas stepped forward to pick her up, but Devlin had already slid his arms under her and lifted her high against his chest. “We don’t want you getting in the line of fire.”
With a few last-minute instructions, the doctor started from the room. “Call me if you need anything.”
Devlin paused, staring down at her with a frown. “Hell, she hardly weighs anything.”
Logan closed in on her other side, using his fingertips to tenderly push her hair back from her temple where a bruise had begun to form. “She uses attitude and a smart mouth to make her seem bigger and tougher than she actually is.”
Blowing out a breath, Logan touched her arm, staring down at the bandage. “I knew she put herself in some dangerous situations, but I never dreamed she’d have to deal with something like this.”
Dropping his hand, Logan shook his head, his jaw clenched with determination. “Nothing else can happen to her. I’m gonna do whatever I can to keep her here. She’s too damned headstrong.”
Lucas touched his friend’s shoulder. “Nothing will. We’ll keep her safe, Logan.”
Logan’s eyes, dark with worry and sadness, lifted to his. “She didn’t want to come to me. She didn’t want to put me in danger. I’m supposed to take care of her, but there’s been a distance between us ever since she learned that I’m a Dominant.”
Devlin glanced at Lucas before going through the doorway. “How the hell did she find out about that?”
Scraping a hand through his hair, Logan grimaced. “She overheard me talking to Christina on the phone one day when I went to visit her. That was two years ago. Evidently she looked it up on the internet and got all sorts of ideas.”
Shaking his head, Caleb adjusted the sling Doc Hansen had secured her arm in. “I can imagine.”
Lucas understood Logan’s frustration. “At least she sent you the file so you would know what was happening to her. She wanted your help.”
Swallowing heavily, Logan shook his head. “No she didn’t—doesn’t. You heard her. She wanted me to stay out of it. She sent me that file so I would know what happened when they killed her.”
Lifting his tortured gaze, he shook his head. “How the hell could I have lived with that? And now that she’s here, how the hell could I live with it if something happens to her?”
Lucas patted his friend’s shoulder, scanning their surroundings as they made their way outside. “Nothing will happen to her. I promise you, Logan.”
Glancing at her again, Lucas took in her slight form, his stomach knotting at the thought of what she’d endured.
And knew he would die if necessary in order to keep his promise.
Chapter Five
Stormy woke to find herself in the middle of what she suspected to be a king-sized bed, her left arm stiff and burning.
She tried to move it to a more comfortable position, panicking when she found that she couldn’t.
Her eyes flew open, and she had to blink several times.
A light had been left on in the adjoining bathroom, the stream coming through the almost closed bathroom door illuminating the room in a soft glow and allowing her to see Logan sleeping in a chair next to the bed.
Shifting her aching legs, she sighed at the delicious feel of soft sheets against her skin, stiffening when she realized that her legs were bare.
Using her right arm, she pushed herself to a sitting position. Seeing that her injured arm had been propped on a pillow, and held in a sling, she breathed a sigh of relief.
It explained why she hadn’t been able to move it.
Frowning, she tried to remember being put to bed, but she remembered nothing after being in the doctor’s office.
She didn’t even remember being carried or undressed.
Whatever the doctor had given her had knocked her for a loop.
She was awake now, wide awake, and ached everywhere.
She would have rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, but the need to use the bathroom quickly changed her priority. Using her good arm, she shoved the covers aside, a moan escaping when she inadvertently jostled her injured arm.
Logan reacted at once, jumping up and closing the distance between them. “Are you all right, honey?”
Holding her arm in front of her, she looked down to see that she’d been dressed in a T-shirt that engulfed her. Relieved to discover that she still wore her panties, Stormy smiled at her brother, hoping to ease the tension hardening his features. “I’m fine. Just groggy. A little achy, and I have to go to the bathroom.”
Logan gently untangled her legs from the covers. “I’ll help you up. I don’t want you to fall.”
She let him help her, knowing that he needed it more than she did. “Where are we?”
With a hand at her back, Logan led her toward the bathroom, frowning and holding his other arm in front of her as if afraid she might fall. “We’re at Lucas, Devlin, and Caleb’s house. It’s a hell of a lot bigger and safer than my apartment. You’ll be safe here. You’re sore. Doc said you would be.”
“Just a little.” She paused at the bathroom entrance, leaning against the doorway. “Who the hell undressed me?”
Caleb, with the dark ponytail and deep blue eyes?
Devlin, with the overlong, thick black hair that gleamed in the sunlight, and eyes the color of dark chocolate?
Lucas, with short black hair and glittering, intense blue eyes that she could easily lose herself in?
She wanted to think she remembered the way they looked because she’d trained herself to become observant, but her training had nothing to do with the way they made her feel.
She’d trusted them far too easily, which was enough to unsettle her, but the memory of her attraction to them left her more than a little confused.
It had to be the adrenaline and fear. Nothing else made sense.
She’d felt safe because they’d rescued her. Nothing more.
Logan smiled. “I undressed you and put you to bed. Haven’t done that in years. Your shirt was covered in blood, so I took it off and gave you a quick wash. It’s in the laundry with your jeans and socks. Your boots are in the corner. You’re wearing one of Devlin’s T-shirts.”
She shivered, the idea of wearing something that belonged to the handsome rogue delighting her in ways she didn’t want to explore.
With a hand at her waist, Logan frowned again and turned her toward the bathroom. “You’re cold. They turned the heat on for you. Do you want me to turn it up?”
“No. I’m fine.” Leaning against him, she smiled. “I prefer sleeping in a cold room. I’ll be out in a minute.”
She pushed the door wider, blinking against the bright light as she closed it behind her.
Moving to the large countertop, she leaned heavily against it, frowning at her reflection as she removed the sling and tentatively stretched her arm in an effort to work out the stiffness.
Her braid had come loose, leaving her hair a tangled mess around her face. After pulling the band securing it free, she unbraided it, running her fingers through it to massage her scalp. Pushing her hair back with her uninjured arm, she grimaced at the sight of the small cut and bruise on her left cheek.
After going to the bathroom, she washed her hands, grimacing when she caught sight of herself in the mirror again.
Her body had taken a beating, and every muscle screamed in protest at the slightest movement.
She touched the bandage on her upper arm, wincing at the soreness there.
“Are you okay in there?” Logan banged on the door, his tone frantic.
“I’m fine.” She eyed the luxurious looking shower longingly and opened the door to find her brother waiting for her, the look of concern in his eyes prompting a smile. “Don’t look so worried. I made the mistake of looking in the mirror.”
Logan scowled and reached out to push her hair from her cheek, studying her bruised cheek. “I was afraid of that. You sure as hell took a beating.”
Stormy smiled up at him, wincing at the pull to her cheek. “Have you looked in a mirror lately? You look like hell.”
His eyes were bloodshot, and his unshaven features were lined with tension. His hair was mussed, obviously from hours of running his fingers through it. “You haven’t gotten any sleep at all, have you?”
“Yeah.” He led her back to the bed, gesturing toward the chair. “I’ve been sleeping right here. It’s actually pretty comfortable.”
“Logan, there’s no need for this. Let’s just go to your place. Tomorrow I’ll rent a car and—”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
Whirling toward the deep voice, Stormy gasped, closing her eyes against the sharp tug to sore, stiff muscles.
She opened her eyes to the sight of Lucas leaning against the doorway, sipping from a thick mug, his eyes unreadable.
Her throat went dry, his rugged looks making her heart beat faster. Swallowing heavily, she gave him her best glare. “Excuse me? What do you mean, I’m not going anywhere?”
Lucas straightened, his eyes narrowing. “So, you’re fine, are you?” He flipped on the light, making the room even brighter. “You’re shaking, and you’re white as a sheet. Devlin’s fixing your breakfast now. As soon as you eat something, you can take another pain pill. Then we can talk.”
Shaken by her state of undress in front of him, but determined not to show it, Stormy shrugged, instantly regretting it. “We don’t have anything to talk about.”
Lucas raised a brow, but Logan whirled on her before Lucas could speak. “Nothing to talk about? You, little sister, have a murdering drug dealer determined to kill you. A fucking bounty on your head. You were shot, damn it, and it was a miracle you didn’t die in that car accident!”
Turning away, Logan blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “Christ, when I think about how close I came to losing you…” Whirling on her again, he gripped her right wrist, bending to get in her face. “All I would have had was that fucking email and those pictures you sent me.”
Stunned that his voice broke, Stormy pulled her wrist free and cupped his jaw. “I never should have sent that. I was scared that something would happen and you would go crazy wondering and you would start investigating. I hoped you would have the information you needed and would pass it on to a cop you could trust. I shouldn’t have sent it, but I wasn’t thinking clearly.” Urging him to lower his head, she touched her forehead to his and sighed. “There was a thunderstorm.”
Lifting his head, he took a deep breath and nodded, gently wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer. “I understand, honey. I know what you must have gone through, but I thank God that at least it rattled you enough to contact me.” Gripping her jaw, he stared down at her, his voice a jagged whisper. “Just do me a favor and don’t fight me on this.”
* * * *
Intrigued by the undercurrents and the meaningful looks that passed between them, Lucas took several steps closer. He watched Stormy closely, relieved to see that her eyes appeared clear. “Logan, why don’t you go have some coffee and something to eat? You didn’t eat a bite of dinner last night.”
When Logan hesitated, Lucas gestured toward Stormy with his cup. “I want to talk to your sister for a minute. You’re gonna have to decide if you trust me or not.”
Stormy eyed Lucas, rubbing her arms as she headed back to the bed, her movements slower than they should have been.
Watching Logan covering her with the blanket, Lucas clenched his jaw at the proof of just how sore she had to be.
She pulled the covers up to her waist and propped the pillows behind her, sending Logan a reassuring smile. “Thanks, Logan. I’m warm now. I’ll be fine. Go get some breakfast before you fall over.”
Scrubbing a hand over his face, Logan eyed his sister, his frustration evident. “Fine. I’ll bring you some coffee.” He met Lucas’s gaze as he passed him, keeping his voice at a whisper. “She’s more fragile than she looks.”
Inclining his head, Lucas kept his gaze on Stormy. “I have a robe she can wear until her clothes are done. She can’t get dressed until we change her dressing.”
Lucas waited until Logan left the room and started down the hallway before closing the door behind him and stepping farther into the room.
Disconcerted by the rush of satisfaction and possessiveness at seeing her in his bed, Lucas spoke in a tone colder than he’d intended. “Despite his claim, your brother only fell asleep about five minutes before you woke up. We couldn’t even get him to eat a sandwich last night.”
Appearing momentarily startled, Stormy adjusted her covers. “How the hell do you know when he fell asleep?”
“Because I’ve been up all night watching over you. Logan’s worried sick about you.”
Lifting her chin and crossing her arms over her chest, Stormy glared at him. “Which is why I’m trying to get away from here. I’m sorry I sent him that file. I can handle myself.”
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