by Becca Van
There was no way they could leave by the hall or the stairs, the heat emanating from the flames was already hard to take.
Axel had his phone to his ear and Cam had no doubt he was calling the sheriffs or 9-1-1 but he didn’t bother to listen. He unlocked the window and shoved it open, gazing along the roof line toward the ground. It was almost a straight drop. There was no chance in hell Enya would be able to get to the ground without getting hurt.
Phoenix and Axel came to stand beside him and peered out. Axel turned to face Enya, clasping her upper arms. Cam cursed under his breath when he realized she was panting and shaking. She was definitely in shock, but before they could look her over they needed to get out and away from the house.
“Do you trust me, honey?” Axel asked.
Enya blinked and nodded.
“I’m going to crouch and I want you to get onto my back. You’re going to have to hang on tight because I’m going to need my hands to climb down. Okay?” Axel wiped the tear from her cheek.
Cam realized she didn’t even know she was crying.
“I’ll take point,” Phoenix said.
Cam moved aside so his friend could climb through the window. There was only one way down without doing any injury and that was to climb down the downspout. He hoped the brackets would hold their weight, but there was no other option.
Phoenix slung his legs over the sill, reached for the downspout with one hand and then shoved off the sill to the side. He gripped the pipe with his hands and feet and shimmied down to the ground. He signaled Cam to let them know he was ready. If Axel slipped or fell Phoenix would do his damnedest to catch Enya before she hit the ground. Axel would have no trouble landing on his feet.
“Climb on Axel’s back, sweetheart,” Cam ordered in a firm voice.
Axel turned and squatted. She licked her lips and then pressed her front to Axel’s back, hooking her arms over his shoulders and wrapping her legs around his waist. Axel frowned at the window, drew a deep breath and then slung first one leg and then the other over the frame. Cam held on to Enya’s waist as Axel positioned them just in case she slipped.
Cam kissed her on the head and whispered in her ear. “I’ll be right behind you, sweetheart. Do whatever Axel and Phoenix tell you to.”
“I will.” Her voice came out hoarse and shaky but Cam didn’t care.
He’d been worried over her silence even though she’d responded to their questions. She was starting to come back to them even if she was scared.
Hell, Cam was terrified something would happen to Enya, but he pushed his fear aside and called on his military training. He held his breath as Axel reached for the downspout and didn’t start breathing again until he had a secure hold.
He glanced at Enya to see she had her eyes squeezed tightly closed. He wondered if she had a fear of heights. As soon as Axel started down the pipe, Cam swung his legs over the window sill, grabbed the pipe and pushed him off the ledge. His hand slipped but he gritted his teeth and held on tighter as he brought his other hand and feet into play. He glanced down when he had a good grip and sighed with relief. Axel and Enya were almost down.
* * * *
Perry waited for what felt like hours for them to come out of the house, but there was no sight of them. “Motherfuckers. I hope you all died.” Just as he was about to head back to his truck, a thought hit. What if they were still alive and had gone out the back?
He was moving before he even realized he’d taken a step. He stopped at the side back corner of the house, caught his breath and peered around the edge of the brick.
He roared inside with rage when he caught movement about twenty yards from where he was standing. They were all alive and from what he could see, unharmed. There was no fucking way they were getting off scot free after what they’d done to him.
He thanked whoever had done the landscaping because there were big bushes close to the house which he used for cover as he bent low and ran.
When he was close enough to see properly he took to his knee and aimed his weapon.
* * * *
Phoenix had just lifted Enya from Axel’s back when he caught movement on the other side of the waist high hedge. He signaled Axel to get Enya to safety and tapped an SOS on the drainpipe. Cam glanced down and then let go, jumping the rest of the way.
Axel grabbed Enya’s hand and ran toward the trees.
Phoenix crouched low, making sure his head wasn’t visible above the hedge and ran straight for the bastard. Cam skirted around the dense bushes, hoping to come up behind the fucker.
Sirens wailed in the distance and though Phoenix was glad the law were on their way, he knew they wouldn’t make it in time. It was up to them to take the prick down.
* * * *
Perry blinked the moisture from his eyes. The smoke was irritating them and he had tears rolling down his face. He stroked the trigger as he aimed the gun, but those fuckers were no longer where he’d last seen them. He spotted two figures running toward the forest, shoved to his feet and took off after them, aiming and pulling the trigger as he ran.
He screamed with frustrated anger when his shot hit the trunk of a tree, barely missing the cunt’s head.
Just as he was about to shoot again, something big and hard slammed into him from the side. The weapon flew from his hands and his feet flew out from under him. His head snapped to the side when a fist connected with his jaw. He blinked his vision clear and glanced toward his gun. It was only a couple of yards away. If he could reach it, he’d be home free.
* * * *
When Axel heard the thunk of a bullet lodging into a tree trunk close to Enya, he took her to the ground and covered her body with his own. There was no way that fucker was going to shoot his woman. He’d have to shoot through him to do so.
No more shots were fired and he levered himself up off Enya and tugged her behind a large tree. “Stay there, honey. I’ll be back for you as soon as I can.”
Enya was shaking so hard her teeth were chattering but she nodded. Axel kissed her hard and fast on the lips and ran back toward the yard.
He was just in time to see Phoenix punch the bastard in the jaw.
Cam hurdled the hedge and ran toward Phoenix.
Axel sprinted toward his friends. Phoenix was grappling with the man who’d just destroyed the house and shot at Enya. Rage filled his heart and soul. When he saw the weapon off to the side he pushed himself harder than he’d ever pushed himself before. The muscles in his thighs bunched and lengthened as determination filled his mind.
Phoenix took a punch to the solar plexus and while Axel knew his friend had to be hurting and winded, he didn’t stop fighting. However, when the bastard managed to get the upper hand and rolled, taking Phoenix with him, Axel’s heart stopped beating. He was still too far away but he could see that asshole reaching for the gun.
His knees nearly buckled when Cam’s foot landed on the barrel, stopping the assailant from picking it up. Phoenix must have caught his breath again, because he rolled until he was back on top and slammed his fist into the underside of the fucker’s jaw.
Axel was by Cam’s and Phoenix’s side a moment later.
“He’s out,” Cam said and then met Phoenix’s gaze. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” Phoenix shook his head. “The fucker winded me.”
Axel frowned as he stared at the bastard’s face. “He looks familiar.”
“I’ve seen him at the diner,” Cam snarled.
“Roll him over,” Axel demanded as he removed his belt from his jeans. Phoenix shoved the prick onto his stomach none too gently and then he pulled his arms behind his back. Axel leaned down and tied his belt around the bastard’s wrists just as the two sheriffs arrived.
“Where’s Enya?” Luke asked as he strode toward them.
“She’s safe in the trees.” Axel pointed.
“Thank fuck none of you got hurt,” Damon said as he squatted next to the perp. He sucked in an audible breath. “This asshole was the guy G
iles, Remy and Brandt Alcott fired when the diner was broken into and destroyed.”
“Are you fucking shitting me?” Phoenix roared.
Luke shook his head. “I’m afraid Damon’s right.”
The guy moaned and blinked his eyes open. Damon began to read him his rights.
Axel raced back toward the trees just as Enya came stumbling toward him. He caught her just as she passed out.
* * * *
Cam and Phoenix ran toward him as soon as they saw Enya unconscious in his arms.
“Is she hurt?” Cam asked.
“She’s fucking bleeding,” Phoenix shouted.
Axel went to his knees, taking Enya with him. The two sheriffs, Luke and Damon, raced over with their flashlights.
Cam grabbed the neck of her shirt and ripped it down the seam of her arm. Luke and Damon aimed their lights onto Enya’s shoulder.
“He didn’t shoot her,” Axel whispered hoarsely, uncaring of the tears rolling down his face. “He didn’t shoot her. He didn’t shoot her.”
Damon clasped his shoulder and squeezed. “No, he didn’t shoot her.”
“Are the other first responders here?” Phoenix asked as he glanced toward the house.
“Yeah,” Luke answered. “The firefighters almost have the fire contained and the paramedics are on standby.”
“Let me take her.” Cam reached for Enya.
“I’ve got her.” Axel shoved to his feet and began walking quickly. Even though he knew Enya was going to be okay, he needed the medics to look her over. He didn’t trust himself right now. Although he was relieved she was fine, the adrenaline was still surging through his blood. His fucking legs felt like jelly, but he ignored the trembling.
He nodded at the paramedics and climbed into the back of the ambulance and gently lowered her to the portable gurney and moved toward her head. The medics got to work examining Enya while Phoenix and Cam hovered at the open doorway.
Axel glanced at Luke and Damon as they led the now conscious asshole away in handcuffs before securing him in the back of the sheriffs’ car. Once he was locked in the vehicle the sheriffs came over to the ambulance.
“If you need a place to stay, you can come out to the ranch,” Luke said.
“Thanks.”
“They can stay with us,” Cree Sheffield said.
Cam was so intent on Enya and the medics he hadn’t even realized the deputy was there until he’d spoken.
“Thanks for the offer, Luke, but I think Enya will be more comfortable with Violet,” Phoenix explained.
Luke smiled and nodded. “Damon and I will be by in the morning for all your statements. We need to go and process that asshole and get him behind bars.”
Cam watched intently as the paramedics swiped Enya’s shoulder with an antibacterial wipe and then removed the large splinter embedded in her skin. The only consolation Cam could see was that the stitches still in her hand and arm hadn’t ripped. The piece of tree had missed the stitches by a few inches. Although she might be sore for a day or so, Enya had no other injuries. However, he was worried that she hadn’t woken up as yet.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, she moaned and blinked. She gasped when she saw the medics standing over her.
“It’s okay, honey.” Axel kissed her forehead. “You’re safe.”
“Cam! Axel!” Enya tried to sit up, but Axel pressed against her shoulder, holding her down as the medics bandaged her wound.
“We’re here, sweetheart.” Cam moved so she could see him.
“We’re safe, baby.” Axel stood at his side.
Enya gave them a tremulous smile and just as the paramedics stepped out of the ambulance, she burst out crying. Axel lifted her into his arms and held her while she cried. Cam wanted to hold her, too, but there wasn’t enough room for all of them in the ambulance.
“Other than the splinter and shock, she’s fine,” Paramedic Kase Pitcher said. “Did any of you sustain any injuries or inhale any smoke?”
“We’re good,” Phoenix answered.
Cam beckoned Axel out and took her from his friend’s arms. He closed his eyes and thanked God that they’d all survived the attack relatively unscathed. If they hadn’t had military training, everything might have ended badly.
Phoenix hugged Enya from behind, tears of relief pooling in his eyes.
“Are you ready to leave?” Cree asked.
“We are,” Axel answered.
Enya sniffed, wiped at her tear-and-soot-stained face and asked, “Where are we going?”
Cree answered before Cam, Phoenix, or Axel could. “Y’all are coming home with me, honey. Violet has a room all made up.”
“Thank you,” Enya whispered before she turned to stare at the smoldering house and then met each of their gazes. “I’m sorry about your beautiful house.”
“Fuck the house, sweetheart,” Cam said. “We’re insured. Material things can be replaced easily enough. Human lives can’t. We’re just glad that you didn’t end up getting seriously hurt.”
“Me, too,” Enya said, her lips twitching. “I mean I’m glad that none of you got hurt. I don’t know if I could survive without any of you.”
Cam’s heart flipped in his chest. Was she saying what he thought she was saying?
“Put me down.” Enya wriggled in Phoenix’s arms. He lowered her to her feet and she moved a few steps away from them.
Cam glanced at his friends as they stood side by side and when they both nodded, he knew what to do. However, before he could start, Enya beat him to it.
“I love you.” Again, she met each of their gazes. “I love all of you so very much.”
Cam gently elbowed his friends and they all went down on one knee. He didn’t care who saw or heard them when they asked that all important question. He didn’t care that they were all dirty and covered in soot or that they were only half dressed.
Nothing mattered except Enya. They’d been planning to ask her to marry them in the morning and thankfully he’d put the ring box in the pocket of his jeans after they’d eaten dinner. If he hadn’t, they wouldn’t have had a ring to put on her finger if she said yes.
“I love you more than I could ever tell you, sweetheart.” Cam cleared his throat and took her hand in his. “Will you please marry me?”
“You’re my heart and soul, honey,” Axel began. “I love you, Enya. Will you please marry me?”
“You’re every beat of my heart and every breath I take, baby.” Phoenix took a deep breath. “I love you to the moon and back. Will you please marry me?”
Tears rolled down Enya’s cheeks, leaving clean tracks in her dirty face as she got down on her knees in front of them. “I didn’t know I needed redemption until I met y’all, but that’s what you are to me. You saved me from a long, lonely bleak existence and stole my heart right out of my chest.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Epilogue
Three months later.
The day had taken on a dreamlike quality but Enya couldn’t have been happier.
The house had been restored to its former glory, as had the gardens. Enya had married Camden on paper a few hours ago under the rose arbor in the back yard with all their friends attending as witnesses. Delta and Violet had been her maids of honor, and Jaylynn and Cindy had been her bridesmaids.
She spent the last couple of hours eating the food Delta and Violet had catered for the wedding feast, drinking champagne and dancing with her new husbands.
Perry Browning was always at the back of her mind since she and her husbands would need to stand in the witness box and give their accounting of what had happened, but they were all safe to enjoy life since he was locked securely behind bars. She had no idea how long it would be before the trial but didn’t really care. There was no way that asshole was getting out of jail for a very long time.
“Are you ready, baby?” Phoenix asked as he hugged her from behind.
She smiled at him over her shoulder and nodded.
She’
d just finished dancing with Cam for the third time and while she knew her husbands were eager to consummate their wedding vows, they’d been very patient. Axel had tried to talk her into skipping the wedding festivities but she’d held her ground. She couldn’t leave all her new friends to eat on their own. Not when they’d become lodged in her heart just like her men had, even if it wasn’t quite the same love.
Enya glanced around for Axel and locked gazes with him. His green eyes were full of hunger and determination and she knew that even a runaway freight train wouldn’t have a hope in hell of stopping him right then. She glanced toward his dress pants and giggled when she saw how his erection was pushing against the zipper and then glanced at Cam’s pants. He was in much the same condition.
“There’s been a change of plans, sweetheart,” Cam said as he threaded his fingers with hers.
“What plans?” Enya asked. Even while she’d tried to find out if they were planning a honeymoon or going away for the night, her men had been tight lipped. She had no idea what was going to happen next.
Before anyone could say anything else, Cam leaned down and took her mouth with his. She closed her eyes, melted into him and kissed him back hungrily. She didn’t even flinch when something was placed over her eyes and head. Cam broke the kiss and then Axel swept her from her feet.
“I’d like to thank everyone for sharing this special occasion with us, and though we’d love to hang around, we have more pleasurable things to do,” Phoenix said loudly.
Enya giggled and blushed.
“Stay for as long as you want. There’s plenty of food and drink left.”
“Thank you, everyone,” Enya said just before Axel started moving.
It was only a minute or so before he was setting her on her feet. Manly hands unbuttoned, unzipped and tugged at her wedding gown until she was left standing in the white corset, G-string panties, and white heels.
