“I don’t think you heard me right,” she said. “That note makes it abundantly clear what happened. Someone targeted your sister to get to you.”
“No,” he disagreed. Maya was clever and manipulative sometimes. “The phone call and note could be something she staged to stay out of trouble.”
Lily glared at him in disbelief. “Why bother?” she asked. “Better to stay out all night and face punishment after she came down off her high. I don’t believe she’s capable of something so terrible. You’re not thinking clearly, Lang.”
Maybe he wasn’t. Rage clouded his judgment sometimes—a family trait. “All the more reason to wake her up.”
He approached the bedside. “Maya?” He gave her a firm shake and she stirred awake.
“Lang?” Maya turned onto her side.
He studied her face, then felt her forehead. Hot. “Are you sick?”
She nodded. “Feels like I need to throw up.”
Lily grabbed the trash can from the corner and handed it to Lang.
“I need you to explain everything, Maya. Okay?” He tried to maintain control, his tone low and soothing.
“I missed the bus at the mall and started to walk down the access road to the bus stop across the street. A car pulled up beside me. I didn’t recognize the driver and hurried to get away from him. But he followed me. Then he flashed a gun and told me to get into his car.”
Lang squeezed his eyes shut, afraid to hear the rest. His heart pounded and he took a deep breath. If he lost it now, Maya would shut down.
“We drove across town and he dragged me into the motel room.”
“Did he assault you?” Lang asked.
“No. But he kept waving his pistol around like he was nervous. Scared the shit out of me.” Tears filled her eyes and she sniffled, drawing her knees into her chest.
Lang caressed her head. “You’re safe now, Maya. No one will hurt you.”
“I know.” She turned her tearstained face toward Lily. “She saved me, Lang.”
“Yes,” he whispered, gazing at his miracle woman with awe and respect. “Keep talking, Maya.”
“He made me take my clothes off and sit on the bed. Then he showed me how to use a glass pipe. I didn’t want to try it, Lang, I swear. But he shoved the gun in my face and told me if I didn’t get high with him, he’d kill me.” Her quiet tears turned into violent sobs.
Lily immediately scooped her into her arms, rocking her back and forth on her lap. “It’s okay, sweetie. We’re both here to protect you now.”
Lang watched Lily comfort his sister, tears threatening to spill from her own eyes too.
“I-I smoked something,” Maya choked out. “Three or four big drags off the pipe. The room started to spin and all I remember after that is falling asleep on the bed. Do you believe me, Lang?”
“Yes.” He grabbed her hand, then massaged her fingers. “Do you remember what kind of car you were in? What the guy looked like?”
“A black Chrysler 300—I’d never forget that car. He had dark hair and a mustache.”
“Good girl.” Lang kissed her head. “Do you want to go back to sleep? Or should I take you home now?”
“Can I stay here?” she pleaded.
Lang looked at Lily. She nodded her approval.
“We’ll stay here tonight,” he said gently.
Lily tucked her under the covers and gave her a box of tissues from the nearby desk. “If you need anything, Maya, we’ll be down the hallway.” She kissed her cheek and Maya linked her arms around her neck.
“Thank you, Lily.”
Once they were back in the living room, Lily paced back and forth. “Maybe she needs to go to the hospital.”
“No.”
“But if she passed out, we don’t know whether she was raped or not.” She fisted her hands at her sides. “Think about it.”
“I’ll call Doc first thing in the morning. But I know how these bastards operate, Lily. Raping my sister would start a war. This is personal—not a hit on the club.”
“By who?” she blurted.
Lang eyeballed her. Asking questions about his business was futile—he’d never answer, and she knew it. Stressed and obviously exhausted, Lang pulled her into his arms. Her forehead rested against his chest. He wanted to make love to her, give her a proper thank-you for everything she’d done. She’d exceeded all his hopes and dreams, possessed every character trait he’d prayed for. And that face—fuck the Mona Lisa. His own priceless work of art quivered in his arms. Lang pulled back and lifted her chin, their eyes meeting.
“I love you, Lily,” he whispered. “So fucking much. I don’t want to hide my feelings anymore.”
She swallowed hard. “I love you too.”
He swept her up and carried her to the sofa. He’d waited to hear those three words all his life. Through years of fucking mindless women who used him for whatever reasons, and gladly returning the favor, taking advantage of the pleasure their bodies offered.
“Say it again, baby.”
She flashed him a sad smile. “I love you, Lang.”
He cupped her face between both hands. “You’re sure? After everything you told me about your past? Ready to commit to the president of the Sons of Odin?”
She entwined her fingers with his. “I don’t care what you do for a living. I love Lang Anderson—the wonderful, caring brother I met at school. The man who fed me oysters, then seduced me on the beach. The guy who protected me the first night we met downtown. Not the Brother who wears these patches.” Her fingers circled over the ones on the front of his vest.
Pride and love flooded his heart. “Lily.” He captured her mouth; their tongues swirled together in near-lethal desperation. Wishing he could stay the night, he reluctantly broke the kiss. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
“Keep watch over Maya while I go the clubhouse. I promise I’ll be back by tomorrow morning.”
Acceptance showed in her eyes. Families were off-limits in his world. The attack against his sister reeked of the cartel. And before something else happened, Lang knew he needed to act swiftly and without mercy.
Chapter 29
Doc arrived at Lily’s apartment by eight in the morning with his medical bag. Lang still hadn’t contacted her yet, so she wasn’t sure what he was up to and that worried her. She opened the door and welcomed Doc inside.
“Seems the only time we see each other is when you’re stitching someone up,” Lily offered.
“From what I hear,” he said with a smile, “you’re going to be a regular fixture at the clubhouse.”
Had Lang shared all the details of last night with his Brothers? “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“After I examine Maya. Where is she?”
“In the back bedroom reading. Should I accompany you?”
“Did Lang tell you I delivered Maya at the clubhouse while her father was away on business? I’ve known that little girl since she took her first breath. I’m also her godfather. A role I take very seriously. I think under the circumstances I might get more information from her if we’re alone.”
Lily understood—she didn’t doubt Doc’s medical expertise or his love for Maya, she just wanted to do everything she could to protect her too. The tragic events of last night had solidified her bond with Maya and Lang. Weeks ago she might have questioned her own judgment for not calling 911 or taking Maya to the nearest hospital. Now, however, she knew she’d made a rational decision to protect Maya and the club.
Lily had used her advanced first-aid training on more than one occasion to help kids high on drugs. She’d known yesterday that she was capable of determining whether Maya had overdosed or not. And she knew that Maya belonged with her family. Any disruption in her already vulnerable life might do more damage than good.
She refilled her coffee mug and buttered a piece of raisin toast before she stepped outside on the patio. The sky was overcast and the air cooler than it had been all week. Lily prayed Ma
ya had been telling the truth about how far the man who kidnapped her had gone. She also hoped Lang had left last night to conduct reconnaissance so he could catch the bastard and do what he thought best—though she’d never admit it.
Maybe growing up under the influence of her war hero father had given her extra backbone after all. Because she could easily envision Lang torturing and possibly eliminating anyone who posed a threat to children. What if Leigh or Trisha had been taken too? Oh God. She placed her cup on the table and rushed inside to the kitchen sink and threw up.
Just the thought of it made her nauseous. She searched the cabinet where she kept medicine for something to help settle her stomach. Popping a couple of antacids might work. As she gulped a tall glass of water to rinse the chalky taste from her mouth, Doc and Maya appeared at the doorway.
Lily studied their faces. “Everything good?”
“I have a happy face sticker.” Maya rolled her eyes and pointed to the green smiley face on her shirt.
Doc shrugged. “All my patients get one.”
“Including Lang?” Maya asked.
“Of course,” Doc said. “Pretty sure he rips them off as soon as he’s out of sight, though.”
They all laughed.
“Hungry?” Lily asked.
“Eggs and bacon?” Maya rubbed her hands together.
“Sausage?” Lily hoped that would be an acceptable substitute.
Maya nodded. “Mind if I shower first?”
“Go ahead. There’s towels and toiletries in the bathroom already. Use whatever you need.” Lily watched her disappear down the hallway before she continued her conversation with Doc.
“Did you give her a pelvic exam?”
Doc nodded. “She’s fine, Lily. No bruising anywhere on her body. I did collect a urine and blood sample, so I need to get it to the clinic as soon as possible. Hopefully, we’ll be able to identify the substance she smoked. There’re so many variations on these new designer drugs. Several don’t stay in the bloodstream for more than a few hours.”
“Thank you,” she said, and gave him a friendly squeeze.
He pulled a business card from his shirt pocket and handed it to her. “My cell number is on the back. Call anytime, Lily.”
She locked the front door behind him and returned to the kitchen to cook breakfast for Maya. Just as she finished whisking the milk and eggs together, someone grabbed her from behind and she yelped in shock.
“What the hell?” She swung around, lifting the plastic spatula above her head.
“Easy, Counselor.” Lang held his hands up. “I came in through the glass doors. We need to discuss security until this situation is rectified.”
She held her hand to her chest. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Good,” he said. “You need to start thinking more defensively. Where’s Maya?”
“In the shower.”
“So I have you all to myself?”
“Maybe for a few minutes.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Lily deflated against him, her heart still hammering from the scare he gave her.
“Sampson is parked outside,” Lang said.
“What?” Lily stepped back.
“Back to that strategic thinking—until things are under control again, Sampson is going to shadow you for a while. He won’t interfere with your daily life.”
Lily didn’t know how to feel about that. “He can’t hang around at school.”
“No,” Lang said. “But you’ll call him when you’re ready to leave work and he’ll meet you here.”
“Lang…”
He shook his head. “No refusals. If you’re going to be with me, let me do what I do. No complaints or questions. Understand?”
“But…”
“Lily.” His somber expression suggested how serious he was.
She capitulated with an exaggerated sigh.
“Doc called me. Great news about Maya.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Waiting to identify the drug she smoked will be difficult. What if it’s still in her system and she has some bad reaction? Would it be prudent to check her into a short-term facility just in case?”
“No outsiders,” Lang said adamantly. “Between extra sessions with you and Doc, we’ll manage any fallout.”
She started to disagree, but Lang covered her lips with his finger.
“Maya will get the best medical care Corpus Christi offers. I appreciate everything you’ve done, Lily.” He placed his hand over his heart. “You’re inside here now. Good luck getting out, baby.”
Her skin burned. No one had ever said the kind of things to her that Lang did. Not in bed, and definitely not while she was standing in her kitchen with a spatula in her hand, wearing pajamas. It felt too surreal. “Are you joining us for breakfast?”
“Actually,” he said, “I’m going to take Maya home now. I’ll be back at seven to pick you up. Wear something sexy, Lily.” He kissed her again. “I have plans for you tonight. And this time, no one is going to interfere.”
Fifteen minutes later Lily was alone again. She sat down on her sofa, processing everything. Until recently, her mother had always been a phone call or email away. And without her, Lily felt lost. Tina usually gave sound advice, but not where men were concerned. If a guy had a pulse, her best friend would automatically become his biggest cheerleader just so Lily got laid regularly.
Or maybe she just wanted to share the news about finally finding someone to love. She considered calling her father, but that idea quickly got shot down. He’d do what he always did: ask a million questions and expect all the right answers.
She gazed at her front door, then hopped up. Maybe she could convince Sampson to come inside. Sneaking around the corner of the breezeway between the two buildings, she peeked out at the parking lot. Decked out in leathers and dark sunglasses, he was leaning against his bike, arms crossed over his chest. Great. Shouldn’t he blend in with the natives? That outfit screamed bad boy. What would her neighbors think?
She didn’t care all of a sudden.
In fact, she decided to bake Sampson his first pie. She hadn’t made it to the grocery store yet to buy graham cracker crusts, but she had regular pie shells available and fresh cherries.
She returned to the kitchen, determined to stay busy until Lang picked her up later.
Chapter 30
“Again?” Suzanne shook her head. “I already tried it on twice. The only difference this time is that patch.”
Lang frowned at her. She was definitely the most vocal of all the old ladies; Lang put up with her sass because he loved her like a second mother. But he’d have to override her this time. “Put the damn jacket on, I want to make sure it will fit Lily.”
“Unless you stuffed her like a Christmas turkey since the last time I saw her, pretty sure she’s still the same size.”
She held her arms up under protest and Lang helped her slip into the vintage Harley-Davidson leather jacket he’d purchased for Lily at a specialty boutique in Austin. The two women were nearly the same size, and he took advantage of the opportunity to get a last look at how it would fit. The “Property of Lang” patch had been sewn on the back by one of the pass-arounds a few minutes ago. “Perfect.”
“Finally.” Suzanne wiggled out of the jacket. “She’ll love it.”
“And the necklace?”
“Lang,” Suzanne said more sympathetically, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend. And there’s some serious bling on that gold chain. I know she deserves to be spoiled after what she did, but if she turns her nose up at it, get rid of her.”
“Noted.” Lang gave her a hug. Then he sniffed the air. “Wish I could stick around and taste that pork roast, but I have a date.”
He’d put the club on high alert since this morning. Unmarried Brothers were expected to bunk at the clubhouse. Suzanne manned the kitchen whenever trouble loomed.
Already running behind schedule, he packed his saddlebags and strutted outside to his
bike. Things had changed over the last few weeks, and he shook his head in amusement. He’d never experienced the wide range of emotions he felt now. Lily had consumed him heart and soul. Responsible for the welfare and safety of five women now, he knew what he had to do.
He arrived at Lily’s apartment complex twenty minutes later and dismissed Sampson. “Go eat and catch up on sleep.”
“Your girl fed me cherry pie.”
Lang smiled. “So she made good on that promise.”
“Absolutely.”
They shook hands and Sampson rode away on his Sportster.
Armed with gifts and a hard-on, Lang knocked on her door. They hadn’t made love in days, and he planned on fucking her all night, then putting her on the back of his bike just so he could enjoy those perfect breasts pressed against his body and her arms wrapped around his waist.
Unprepared for what he saw when she welcomed him inside, he stood silent in the dining room. Instead of wearing something appropriate for a nice dinner out, she was dressed in a black teddy, fishnet stockings, and six-inch heels. Candles were lit on the table, and a full meal had been set out—steaks, baked potatoes, and asparagus with red sauce.
He stashed his saddlebags on the floor and took off his riding gloves. “Counselor.” He stalked closer. “What are you trying to tell me?”
Radiant in the candlelight, her eyes danced. “How much I missed you.”
His gaze swept over her head to toe. At the sight of her blond hair cascading over her shoulders and that pert little smile on her luscious lips, he’d lost all interest in food. He bit his tongue when he noticed how low the lingerie was cut; her dusky nipples peeked over the mesh material on the bodice. And if he wasn’t hallucinating…Fuck. Crotchless?
Unable to contain his enthusiasm, he growled as he closed the distance between them, clasping her wrist. “Fuck, Lily.”
But she wiggled free and dropped to her knees in front of him.
He caught her determined gaze. What was going through that beautiful mind of hers? She didn’t have to prove anything to him. The last thing he needed from Lily Gallo was a…
Persuasion Page 17
