Forever Devoted

by Kathleen Brooks

  “Okay, but then you need to tell me—”

  “Dad!”

  Layne thought she heard Cy growl, but he relented. Instead, he moved over and kissed Reagan’s cheek. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, Dad.”

  Uncle Cy headed over to Layne and placed a quick peck on the cheek before freezing. He leaned closer and sniffed. “You made my muscle recovery bath? There is someone in the bathroom.”

  “No,” Layne laughed nervously. “I mean, yes, I made it. I was in the bath. My bathtub is covered with bras drying, so I used the guest bath.”

  Cy didn’t look convinced and Layne knew without a doubt he’d call her dad the second he was in the car. “Well, I’ll see you both tomorrow. Don’t forget dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s.”

  “We won’t,” both girls responded as they watched Cy leave. They didn’t say anything until they heard the car driving away. Then, like a bolt, Reagan took off down the hall.

  “Stop!” Layne cried as Reagan threw open the bathroom door and skidded to a stop.

  “Hi,” Reagan said, blushing. “I’m Reagan, Layne’s cousin.”

  “Yes, I heard.” Layne heard Walker’s deep southern voice from the bathroom.

  “And you are?”

  Layne peered over Reagan’s shoulder and let out a small sigh of relief to see Walker standing with a towel slung low on his hips. At least he wasn’t naked. He pulled on a T-shirt of Dylan’s. “I’m getting dressed, if you’ll excuse me.”

  Layne yanked on her cousin’s arm, pulling her from the bathroom.

  “Oh my gosh!” Reagan whispered with a huge smile on her face. “I’m guessing Uncle Miles has no idea Mr. Hottie is here.”

  “That’s right, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything.”

  “Of course not, but you know it’ll be out soon enough. Someone will see something and say something to their friend. Then it’ll be all over town.”

  “I know,” Layne sighed as the bathroom door opened and Walker strode out with his wet hair combed back and dressed in a T-shirt and jeans.

  “I believe you were about to introduce yourself,” Reagan said, looking him over again. “You look familiar.”

  “I guess I have one of those faces,” he shrugged, holding out a hand. “Owen.”

  “Nice to meet you, Owen. How did you and my cousin meet?”

  “Okay!” Layne cut in. “You met, but now it’s time to go.” Layne shoved her cousin down the hall and into the living room as Reagan laughed.

  “It was nice meeting you, Owen!” Reagan called out as Layne practically pushed her out the door.

  Layne turned around to find Walker standing behind her. “Interesting family you have.”

  “They can be a little . . . well, a lot. A lot of everything. But I love them.”

  “Of course you do. Only a family that cares is so involved.” Walker put his hands on her hips and pulled her close. “Now, where were we?”

  12

  Layne was stronger than any drug. Walker had had a taste of her, and he wanted more. He liked everything about her. She didn’t back down, she loved her crazy family, she knew how to kill someone with her pinky, and then there was the feel of her body against his. Breasts big enough to spend hours caressing and kissing that led down to a flat stomach that showed she was incredibly active by her muscle structure, and then there was the sexy flare of her hips. Those hips drove Walker absolutely crazy. He wanted to grab onto them and . . . Walker took a deep breath to calm himself.

  “Come to bed with me,” Walker said softly.

  “I want to, but I can’t. As much as I would love nothing more than to strip you naked and have my way with you,” Layne said as she shook her head. Walker couldn’t stop from grinning. Only Layne would speak as if she were the aggressor when he was the one pursuing her. “I can’t. You are my patient, and it’s unethical.”

  “The second I’m healthy I’m picking you up, carrying you into your bedroom, and we won’t stop making love until neither of us can move.” Walker heard Layne’s breathing speed up in response. Good. He wanted her to want him as much as he wanted her. He knew he could convince her to sleep with him, but he respected her too much for that. He could tell it would ruin whatever relationship they were building. “But for now, we’ll just sleep. No more of you on the couch.”

  “Do you think we can?” Layne asked, nibbling on her lip. Damn, if she kept looking so edible he wouldn’t be able to control himself.

  “You have my word I won’t make a move until you’re no longer my physical therapist And if I have to, I’ll fire you and hire that schmuck Aaron.”

  Layne laughed and Walker felt as if he were on top of the world. “Okay. Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll rub out your leg.”

  Walker didn’t need help to walk, but when Layne put her arm around him to walk toward the bedroom with him, he simply took what she offered. He’d take every touch, look, and kiss he could get for now. And he was going to work like a man possessed to get his leg back to normal as fast as possible.

  * * *

  “Good morning, Mr. Selkey. You look so different, having shaved.” Jill smiled as they entered the office early the next morning. Layne told Walker she had a patient at nine, so they arrived at eight so she could work with Walker first thing.

  “Good morning, Jill. Thank you,” Walker said, feeling where his facial hair had been. He’d shaved to help alter his appearance. He was also in new clothes and felt rejuvenated after the bath and then sleeping all night with Layne in his arms. True to his word, he didn’t make love to her. He may have dreamed about it. How could he not when she was pressed against him all night? It had seemed natural to have her in his arms; he was reluctant to let her get out of bed.

  “Oh, Layne,” Jill called out. “You have a message from a Dr. Faulkner. He left a phone number for you.”

  Walker and Layne both stiffened. “Thank you, Jill.” Layne took the paper with the message on it, and they both headed for her office.

  Walker looked over her shoulder as he put the note on her desk. “That’s not his phone number.”

  “Whose is it?”

  Walker shook his head. “I don’t know. Gavin’s smart, though. It could be a burner phone.”

  “Close the door and let’s find out.” Layne took a seat as Walker closed the door. He came around her desk and leaned against it as she put her phone on speaker and dialed the number.

  “Layne?”

  “I’m here and so is a friend.”

  They heard Gavin release a worried breath. “Walker, you’re safe?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “That man, Darrel Snyder, stormed into my office last night. He broke down the door and tried to get into the medical waste container to look for blood samples. There was a fight, and luckily Ridge was over and came running in to help me when he heard the commotion. Darrel said he knew you were alive. He said I was going to be arrested. A friend of Harper’s got me this disposable phone so I could call and warn you.”

  Walker looked to Layne. Gavin was worried and that made Walker worried. “Is Darrel still in Shadows Landing?” Walker asked.

  “No. He hasn’t been back since. I’m worried he may have somehow found you,” Gavin explained.

  Layne’s head rose to look at him as she put her hand supportively on top of his. “Why do you think that?”

  “Because of Dr. Luke Benningford.”

  Walker watched Layne’s other hand form into a fist before slowly releasing it as if she were trying to keep control of herself. “What did Luke do?”

  “The conference ended last night. I was there keeping up appearances. I saw Darrel talking to Luke, and then they looked over at me. Two hours later he’s kicking down the door to my office. I think Luke was spying on you and told him I had a patient I wanted you to see, and he possibly saw you with Walker.”

  “And my name and address is right there for everyone to see,” Layne finished for him.

 
“I’ll leave right now,” Walker said, standing. But Layne held onto his hand, preventing him from walking away.

  “Wait. There really is no safer place than Keeneston. Let’s see how long we can throw him off the scent. I can handle him, and so can everyone else in Keeneston. Trust me.” Walker looked into her eyes and saw she meant every word. But the feelings warred inside of him. He didn’t want to leave Layne unprotected, but he also didn’t want to stay and bring trouble to her.

  “One week. Give me one week to work with you and to see how this plays out.”

  “I think you should. Since finding out who my family is, I’ve been looking them up. My uncles are badass,” Gavin said over the phone.

  “Our aunts are too,” Layne pointed out. “And don’t forget Ahmed and Bridget. The two of them, not counting their children and my cousins, can overthrow a government during their lunch break. And if you need protection, you can go to Mo and Dani’s farm. They’re the prince and princess of Rahmi. Their house is an embassy and is well guarded.”

  “You have royalty in Kentucky?” Gavin asked with amazement.

  “Yeah. And their children, Zain, Gabe, and younger sister Ariana, are good friends of mine. They’ll help.” Layne sounded so sure of herself and her town that Walker took the gamble.

  “I’ll stay. But we need to get to work. Thanks for the warning, Gav.”

  “Anytime, buddy. Stay safe. If you need me, call this number. You know we’ll all come up at the drop of a hat if you need us.”

  Layne’s smile faltered for a second as Walker thanked Gavin. “Gavin,” she said softly, “you know you’re welcome in Keeneston anytime you and your . . . I mean, our family . . . want to visit. I’m going to tell my grandmother tonight at dinner about meeting you. I know she’ll want to meet all of you and so do I.”

  “Thank you. After talking to you, my cousins and I decided we’re going to see our grandfathers and get the straight story from them. Then we’ll talk and I’ll let you know. Until then, stay safe.”

  “I promise I’ll keep him safe,” Layne swore as Gavin chuckled.

  “I was talking about Walker keeping you safe, but I like your way better. Talk to you two soon. Goodbye.”

  Layne hung up the phone, picked up her intercom, and paged Jill. “Cancel all my eight o’clock, twelve o’clock, and four o’clock appointments for the next three weeks and block off those times.”

  “All of them?” Jill double-checked.

  “Yes. I need to be with Mr. Selkey exclusively during those times.”

  “Are you . . .?”

  “Jill, just do it. Now.” Layne hung up and took a deep breath before looking at him. “Come on, we have a lot of work to do, and I fear not a lot of time to do it.”

  * * *

  Walker had always thought he was a tough man. That was until he found himself limping inside Layne’s house, dying to take one of her special baths. She’d worked him harder than a SEAL instructor, and he felt conflicted about it since she was so damn smart and sexy. Still, she’d hurt him. Badly.

  “I’ll get a bath ready for you, and then I need to change for dinner at my grandparents’ tonight,” Layne said as she set a bag of groceries on the counter for him.

  Layne had been a woman on a mission, and he was that mission. She also seemed lost in thought, but Walker decided to give her time to herself. She’d come to him when she was ready to talk about whatever was in that beautiful mind of hers.

  Walker put the groceries away as Layne started the bath and put in the mixture of oils and salt. Then she disappeared into her bedroom. With a deep breath to stop himself from going after her, Walker undressed as FP joined him in the bathroom. He sat in the tub with FP sleeping on the mat when the door was pushed open and Layne walked right in without knocking. To be fair to her, her hands were full.

  “Are you planning on shooting me?” Walker asked, looking at the two guns she was carrying. One was a handgun he’d never seen before and the other was . . . “Dang, is that a HK 416 rifle?”

  “Yeah, my dad gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday. I thought you may have used one in the SEALs.”

  “No, I used an enhanced M 14. Those are used by Delta Force.”

  “I knew I was right!” Layne smiled triumphantly before the smile slid. “I want you to have these while I’m gone. I have one I carry with me, but you’re wounded and need all the firepower you can get.”

  “What’s the handgun? I’ve never seen it before.” Walker leaned over the tub to get a closer look.

  “It’s a gun my cousin Sophie made.” Layne pressed something and held it by the barrel to him. “Put it in your hand as if you were firing it.”

  Walker dried his hand and palmed the gun. It had a good weight and excellent balance. There was a small beep noise and Layne nodded. “It’s programmed to you now. You’re the only one who can shoot it.”

  “Will you marry me?”

  “What?” Layne chuckled with disbelief.

  “You’re smart, sexy as hell, can outperform a SEAL instructor, and you have the best guns I’ve ever seen. My heart is yours,” Walker said, putting his hand to his heart.

  Layne laughed, which was his intention, but Walker realized he wouldn’t mind if she’d say yes. He hadn’t slept with her yet, but he knew she’d be worth the wait. His body, heart, and mind were fully engaged. He was smart enough to know when that happened he was well on his way to falling in love.

  “Take your bath.” She chuckled again, leaving the guns on the counter. “I’m going to get dressed.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to take a bath first?” Walker asked seductively. He saw her shiver and flush pink.

  “Three weeks,” she said with a forced smile. “Easy, right?” he heard her mutter as she walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

  Walker dropped his hand to scratch the top of FP’s head. “Three weeks and she’s all mine.” FP stood and tried to jump in the tub. “You want a snuggle?” FP yipped happily as Walker picked up the hairy little dog and rested him on his chest. FP curled up with his nose buried in Walker’s neck and promptly fell asleep.

  * * *

  Walker had just closed his eyes in the soothing bath when he heard a pounding on the front door a moment before it crashed open. Walker forgot about his bad leg as he moved FP to his left arm, leapt from the tub, grabbed the rifle, slung the strap over his shoulder, and picked up the pistol in his right hand.

  When Layne screamed from the living room, Walker forewent the towel and charged out of the bathroom with FP in one hand and the gun in the other.

  “Don’t touch her!”

  “Oh my goodness,” he heard a woman gasp before he heard the deep feral noise coming from the man standing in front of Layne. A man he recognized, and a man who had murder in his eyes.

  “Mr. Davies, nice to see you again.” Walker lowered the gun and used Fluffy Puppy to cover his privates.

  “You have my daughter, my dog, and my gun,” Mr. Davies said through clenched teeth as he sneered at him.

  “How lovely to meet a friend of Layne’s,” the woman said from behind Mr. Davies. “I’m her mother, Morgan.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Walker said with a nod of his head.

  “I’m going to kill you,” Mr. Davies said slowly and so softly Walker almost didn’t hear him. A second later Mr. Davies charged, FP jumped, and Walker’s gun went off as Mr. Davies tackled him to the ground.

  “Dad!”

  “Miles Davies!”

  Walker dropped the gun that had taken a chunk out of the wall and held up his hands. “Take your hit. I won’t fight back.”

  Miles rolled from the ground and sprang up. “Where’s the fun in that? Get up, you deserter!”

  “Deserter?” Layne and Walker asked together.

  “I’m calling the authorities after I beat the shit out of you. I saw this coward on the news being declared legally dead after fleeing a battle where almost his entire team died. And t
hen I remembered I saw him in your office. I came here to protect you, but he’s already—” Miles took several deep breaths.

  “Don’t worry, dear. He’s a virgin,” Morgan said, putting a restraining hand on her husband’s arm.

  “What?” Miles and Walker asked in disbelief together.

  “Jesus, Layne. You told your mom I was a virgin?” Walker asked with incredulity.

  “Well, you are. You kicked me out of bed instead of touching me in South Carolina, and—”

  Walker interrupted. “I was trying to be respectful!”

  “You better pray to God you’ve been nothing but respectful or I will kill you. And trust me when I say no one will ever find your body,” Miles snarled.

  “Now having seen him, it would be a damn shame if he were a virgin.” Walker heard Mrs. Davies under her breath as he realized he was flashing her. Walker promptly covered himself with his hands.

  “I’m not a virgin!”

  “That’s not helping you. Get up, you coward,” Miles ordered.

  “Dad!” Layne said again, only this time there was a threat to her voice as she tossed Walker a blanket from the couch. “He’s not a deserter. I’m protecting him from Jud Melville.”

  Her father clearly didn’t believe her. “It’s true, sir,” Walker said, using the wall to help himself up. His leg was killing him after all the action.

  “You’re injured,” Morgan said, rushing forward and pushing the blanket aside. Could this get more embarrassing? However, that caught Miles’s attention as he looked at the wound.

  “You were shot,” he stated.

  “Yes, sir. Jud Melville tried to kill me to cover up the fact that the mission was really a robbery. He had my team killed. I only survived because I dove into the ocean from the bridge and was able to get a small inflatable lifeboat from the debris of what had been a RIB. Jud Melville killed my team, my friends, and my brother-in-law. And as soon as I get better, I’m going to kill him.”