Love Under Two Bad Boys

by Cara Covington

  “I don’t remember dating anyone,” April said. “That can’t be right. I think the cops got their wires crossed. If I’d been seeing someone, I for damn sure would have remembered. And where was he, after I’d been found, if there was someone in my life? I’m pretty certain anyone I’d be dating would be compassionate enough to come see me in the hospital or at home after such a traumatic incident.”

  Hell, no wonder she blocked everything out. He met Jeremy’s gaze. Their lover nodded. Marc looked over at her parents and saw the knowledge in their eyes.

  Marc brought April’s hand to his lips once more. “Baby? The reason you don’t remember him, the reason he never called or came by, was because he very likely was involved in your kidnapping.”

  The shock in April’s eyes and the pain as they overflowed with tears, hurt him. She began to shake her head ‘no’. Mark wasted no time. He scooped his woman into his arms and held her tight. Jeremy moved so he was pressed close to her, as well. Between them, he and his lover cocooned their woman, letting her know she was safe.

  “That was it, wasn’t it? The trauma the doctor thought was preventing me from remembering.”

  “I can think of no greater shock to the psyche than being so blatantly betrayed by someone you believed loved you—someone you loved in turn.”

  As he held her and let her cry, he met her parent’s gazes. Their relief at finally telling April everything was clear. And their trust in him and Jeremy meant everything.

  * * * *

  April awoke, and instantly knew something was off. She recalled the revelations of that day, in the aftermath of Marc’s hypnotherapy session. Her parents had said she’d had a boyfriend when she’d been kidnapped. And not only that, but Marc and Jeremy, and apparently the police, believed that boyfriend had been in on the plot to kidnap her.

  She still couldn’t remember a boyfriend. How could I have been so stupid as to trust a phony? She wondered if that very question was one of the reasons her subconscious had blocked this unknown man from her memory. How long had they been an item? The last thing she actually recalled before she was taken, was leaving class and feeling excited—looking forward to something.

  To a date with her boyfriend?

  Then something else snagged her attention, a sound, a breath, and she turned and looked at Jeremy.

  He wasn’t in bed next to her but was pacing a few feet from the end of the bed.

  “Jeremy?”

  She heard his low curse. “Sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep.”

  She sat up at the same time Marc awakened. Jeremy cursed again.

  “What’s wrong?” She knew this man and could practically see the tension on him.

  “Nothing, April. Go back to sleep, okay? Marc, can I see you downstairs, please?”

  April blinked. That had been a kiss-off if ever she’d experienced one. Under the blankets, Marc took her hand and squeezed it.

  Then he sat up. “No. If you need something, then say it, here. Just like I was being an asshole a couple weeks back when I rebuffed April’s concern, you’re being one now.”

  Jeremy sighed. He stopped pacing and hung his head. “I’m sorry. I know you’re right. I just…Marc, I need you.”

  “You need me to paddle you?”

  “Yes.”

  Marc met her gaze. April saw what she’d bet Jeremy never saw, and that was the tortured conflict their man felt meeting this need of Jeremy’s.

  She reached out and laid her hand over his and nodded. He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, she saw not resignation, but…love.

  She’d never had any doubt whatsoever that Marc loved Jeremy. Now she had proof. He was willing to give their lover something he craved even if it was something he didn’t want to give. April decided to watch every moment, to search for clues as to what lay at the root of this. This was Jeremy’s monster—or at least a part of it. She’d watch and learn and then, in time please God, she would help him slay this sucker.

  Marc tossed the blankets off. “All right. On the bed, hands and knees, with your ass in the air.”

  She’d seen the round paddle in the bedside table. Looking at it now sent a bit of a tingle through her. She looked at Jeremy. He didn’t look aroused, seeing the toy in Marc’s hand. He looked relieved.

  “Count of ten, Jeremy.”

  “Sir. Please, I need more than…”

  “You need to remember who’s the Dom and who’s the sub. Unless you’ve changed your mind, in which case I’ll put the paddle away and go back to bed.”

  “I’m sorry, Marc. Count of ten.”

  Marc met her gaze and she let him see all the love she held for him. As she watched, it was as if Marc had wiped every emotion off his face. He pulled his arm back, and April jumped at the sound of the crack.

  “One, Marc.”

  Marc pulled back and let loose again, this crack just as loud, just as shocking to her system as the first.

  “Two, Marc.”

  April had watched some videos. She knew the difference between an erotic spanking, and this. This was…this was a punishment, one that Jeremy not only asked for, but one he believed down to his soul he deserved.

  The next eight cracks came, as did Jeremy’s count. He began to cry at five, but there were no sobs, there were only silent tears tracking down his face. April’s heart tore for both of her men. When it was over, Marc tossed aside the paddle, crawled onto the bed, and wrapped Jeremy in his arms.

  Their lover cried in earnest then, and Marc crooned to him, whispering to him, his entire focus on the man in his arms.

  Moving stealthily, April left the bed only to cross at the bottom and crawl in on the other side of Marc.

  While he held their lover, she laid her head on his back and held him. She’d known Jeremy had needed Marc, and she was fine with that. But Marc needed her, and all she could think, as she offered him all the love and tenderness she could muster, was that he’d never have to do this alone again.

  Chapter Nineteen

  After Marc’s second hypnotherapy session, Robert accepted their invitation to join them for lunch at Lusty Appetites. April had worked a shift the day before at the roadhouse because Angela had been unexpectedly short-staffed—and for the best reason in the entire world, it turned out.

  After a couple of years of, as the new mother-to-be called it, trying and crying, Laci Benedict and her husbands were finally expecting a baby.

  Laci had come in to finish her shift after all her appointments for the day were done and was promptly seated at a table with her husbands and various cousins who’d shown up for the impromptu celebration. The family of three had held off telling anyone until the first trimester was passed, which it just had. Word had immediately gone out, and family and friends had gathered. April had been delighted to help serve that back area of the dining room known in house as Benedict Central. Of course, after the party Angela shooed her friend and manager out so she could go home with her men and put a final, personal touch on the day’s celebration.

  April had been grateful for the work and then the distraction of the celebration. It had helped her to keep what she’d learned from her parents on the back burner of her mind. She couldn’t not think about it, but she thought—and her men agreed—that now that she’d been told the facts, they’d let it sit for a while and see if her subconscious let her remember all the rest she couldn’t yet recall.

  Emily Anne Richardson, another of April’s new friends, sporting a big smile and a just noticeable baby bump herself brought menus and greetings. She gave April a big hug. “Thank you for saying yes to working with the guys!”

  She was referring to her having agreed to work with Richardson-Talbot Investigations. “My pleasure. Your guys are determined to see to it one of them is available at all times in case you or the peanut, here”—April gently poked Emily Anne’s tummy—“need them.”

  “I think we’re past peanut and heading toward softball.” The woma
n grinned, and April did, too. She didn’t think she knew a more upbeat woman than Emily Anne Richardson.

  Emily Anne placed her hand on her abdomen, the way April had seen an increasing number of newly pregnant women in town do. She sighed, and her expression sang pure happiness. “Those two spoil me.”

  “It’s not spoiling, sweetie,” Robert said. “It’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

  “Damned straight.” Marc agreed with his older brother’s decree, and Jeremy nodded.

  Emily Anne blushed. April knew it could take time to accept the norm of being pampered and treated with love and respect. Especially for anyone who’d been picked on, bullied, or victimized in their lives.

  “I heard there was an impromptu party for Laci yesterday,” Emily Anne said. Then she looked at Robert. “I would never ask anything confidential, Dr. Robert. It’s just that I’m worried. How risky is it for Laci to be pregnant at this point in her life?”

  That was a question April had been thinking of asking, too. Laci had turned forty-three and had admitted to her, just after they’d started working together, that her window for conceiving was closing.

  “Modern medicine really is amazing,” Robert Jessop said. “David is going to monitor her very carefully. More and more women Laci’s age are having successful pregnancies. David believes she can carry to term and deliver a healthy baby.”

  “Plus, this is Lusty,” Marc said. “You have to know that everyone’s going to be keeping an eye on her.”

  “Yeah.” Her voice quavered just a bit. “That’s what I love best about our town.” She sighed again and reached for her order pad. “Do y’all know what you want to drink today?”

  The verdict was unanimous for sweet tea. By the time the efficient waitress returned with the drinks, menu selections had been made and just as efficiently taken down. Emily Anne left them to turn in those orders, and Robert leaned forward on the table.

  “I received a call just before y’all arrived at the clinic,” Robert said. “Our unknown assailant appears to be coming out of his coma. The doctor who called thought, by the end of the day, they’d have a better idea of when he’d awaken.”

  “Is he still under guard?” April asked.

  “He absolutely is,” Marc said. “The state police have him under wraps, and Adam is monitoring that situation.”

  It was as if saying his name aloud had conjured the sheriff of Lusty. He came into the restaurant, but he wasn’t alone. With him was Damion Quest. April still didn’t know what to think of that man. Her uncertainty about him had a lot to do with the way Jeremy had reacted when they’d arrived at the Big House and seen him there. For his part, Jeremy had assured her Damion was one of the good guys. He’d just been surprised to see him with Grandma Kate.

  The two joined them at the table—after bringing another table over to add to theirs, first—and not just to make room enough for themselves, apparently.

  Emily Anne came right over.

  She eyed the newly formed grouping and grinned. “How many more are arriving?”

  Adam chuckled. “Jake and Grandma Kate.”

  “I’ll fetch your drinks and hold off on the orders, then.”

  Both men also opted for sweet tea then settled back into their chairs.

  “I take it this is about to become a meeting?” April said

  “We have an update, yes. Let’s wait on the others. They’ll be here shortly,” Adam said.

  April hadn’t known Adam Kendall that long. She’d already seen his “extremely pissed-off” face. He’d worn it the day they’d taken down Douglas Vance at the roadhouse. And by “they” she, of course, was thinking of herself, Kat, and Jenny Collins. The fact the women had moved fast had angered Adam, not because he was a glory hound but because, by doing so, they had, in his mind, put themselves in danger.

  The expression Adam wore now wasn’t quite that annoyed, but it was close.

  The one thing she did know for certain was that Marc and Jeremy absolutely liked, respected, and trusted the sheriff of Lusty, Texas. Considering the rocky start Jeremy had had with the man, that was saying something.

  When the men sitting across from her, facing the door, started to rise, she knew Grandma Kate had arrived. She turned and smiled at the nonagenarian as she made her way to the table. Jeremy offered his chair, and Kate sat down next to April.

  “Well, now this is nice. An unexpected lunch with family is one of life’s little pleasures, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Robert Jessop said. “It is indeed. You look lovely, Grandma Kate.”

  “Why, thank you, Robert. How is little Colleen? And how is David managing with his newly busy schedule?”

  Robert grinned. “Our daughter is perfect, of course. And little brother is pleased he’s going to be busy for the next several months.”

  April thought it was a hoot Robert would call his twin “little brother” because he was only a few short minutes younger.

  “And we’re all certainly pleased about all of the impending births. It’s going to be an amazing spring. I can’t wait to meet all my new great-grandchildren!”

  Emily Anne dropped off the sweet tea for Adam and Damion then stood next to Grandma Kate and slid her arm around her shoulders.

  Kate slipped hers around Emily Anne’s waist. April didn’t know of a single person who didn’t treat Kate Benedict like the treasure she surely was.

  “What will you have to drink, Grandma Kate?”

  “I’ll have some hot tea today, sweetheart. Earl Grey, please, and since I’m here, I’ll treat myself to one of Tracy’s cream puffs for lunch. How are you and the baby doing, Emily Anne?”

  “We’re just wonderful, Grandma Kate, thanks.” Emily Anne looked around the table. Everyone else who hadn’t already done so gave her their orders, and she left them, heading toward the kitchen.

  Adam started off. “First, we have identified our would-be hitman. His name is Frank Jordan. His employer is listed as a political action committee in Washington—the city, not the state. As near as we can tell, he’s what’s known as a body man for hire—someone who gives cover and assistance to whoever he’s asked to protect. He also works as security for large gatherings.”

  Adam nodded to Damion, who took up the report. “Meanwhile, I had an interesting call from my former boss,” he said.

  “Porter Wells called you? That can’t be good,” Jeremy said.

  “Actually, it is. In a twisted sort of way. I’m just worried about the price he’s going to charge later for the info he gave me today.” He looked around the table and then focused on Grandma Kate. “We have a pretty good idea who hired Jordan. The particular PAC he works for was formed to aid and abet a California congressman with a somewhat nationalistic agenda. There was no evidence that this man was sent here by the congressman or that the congressman was even aware that he tried to attack you, Marc. However, the congressman’s chief of staff contacted a colleague of ours a few days ago. He claims to have evidence of a sort and is using it to bargain. I’ve not seen this evidence, but I’ve been told it doesn’t provide as airtight a case as prosecutors would like, considering Congressman Philip Kardigan has presidential aspirations.”

  “Marc?” The tone of Jeremy’s voice whipped April’s attention to her lovers. But Marc wasn’t answering Jeremy. In fact, he looked as if he wasn’t even aware of them.

  Marc Jessop looked as if he was undergoing hypnotherapy and had retreated somewhere deep within his own mind.

  * * * *

  Congressman Philip Kardigan. Hearing the man’s name had been the trigger he’d needed. Marc Jessop remembered. The scene unfolded as if he was there again—just like earlier when Robbie had led him back there, but this time, he saw it all. He saw the real faces of the monsters.

  The last time that Kobin Assar entered his personal torture chamber—not alone that time, but with a guest. And the other man who held back, by the door? Marc recognized him, too.

  For a few spare seconds he sa
w their faces. He remembered the sense of gratitude that flooded him when Assar offered to free him and the instant hatred when his American guest, Congressman Kardigan, had told Assar to kill him, instead.

  “It was Kardigan. And his chief of staff was there, too. Matthews.” He looked up and met Damion’s gaze. “Assar offered to release me, and Kardigan told him he’d rather I was dead. That I had no business being there in the first place.”

  A few low curses went up, and Grandma Kate covered his right hand with a surprisingly strong grip. He hadn’t realized until that moment his fists were clenched. He looked over at Adam. “There’s the solid proof you need, right there.”

  Adam met his gaze. “Marc, I believe you. Everyone around this table believes you. Unfortunately, a good lawyer would point out that you’d been drugged, beaten, and then been through an entirely different kind of ordeal when you were finally rescued.”

  “They wouldn’t be able to accept your testimony as admissible,” Quest said.

  “But that’s not right!” April looked like she was ready to take on the devil himself. “That monster all but signed his death warrant, and his testimony is no good?”

  “They’re right, sweetheart, and if I’d given in a moment’s thought, they wouldn’t have had to tell me so,” Marc said. “All right, we have to find something else that will be good.”

  Damion’s phone rang. He pulled it out, looked at the screen, and immediately answered. Marc had never considered himself particularly intuitive, but he knew what the person on the other end of the call was saying.

  Damion swore and then ended the call. He looked at Adam and then him. “The FBI had assigned a team to shadow Kardigan. They didn’t have enough to charge him, yet, but…”

  “But as soon as they did they planned to move. They lost him?” Marc saw the answer to his question in the man’s eyes.

  “Yeah, they lost him. And I have a gut feeling where he’s headed.”

  Marc did, too. “He’s likely reasoned that, with me dead, there’d be no one to accuse him of being a traitor.”