by Hazel Gower
I lifted the bin lid, threw the four bags in, and shut it. I turned, rubbing my hands together, and froze when I heard a hissing noise, followed by a moan. Grabbing my phone from my tracksuit pants, I turned on the light and shined it between the small space behind the bins. Fuck. In the corner was a box and what looked to be a little girl. At least I think she was a girl. Her dirty blonde hair was a mess around her pale, dirt covered face. Her thin clothes were ripped and torn, her breasts peeking out of the ripped fabric.
Definitely a woman then.
My heart beat so fast I felt like I’d just sparred for hours as I moved the bins aside and inched closer to the tiny female. She was breathing, but barely. I could see her struggling, her chest rising and falling slower and slower. I lowered myself and ran my phone light over her once more before I called for help. She was covered in blood and her already threadbare clothes were ripped and torn in so many places they were useless. Putting my phone on the ground, I slipped my jumper off and draped it over her, before picking up my phone and calling the ambulance.
I didn’t miss the sigh as I wrapped my jumper more around her and I couldn’t help my grin as she moaned, “Mmm, smells so good.” Her voice sent a shock through my system and I knew that she was special.
This little woman was mine.
My soulmate.
Shocked, I blinked and shook my head as it flooded with all the things I wanted to do. I couldn’t do anything now. As much as I wanted her, I needed to make sure my girl was alright. My heart raced as fear flowed through me at the condition she was in. I needed to find out what happened to her. I had to help her.
Was she even eighteen?
In spite of my racing heart and whirling thoughts, I stayed as calm as I could for my woman, because from what I could see, she needed me just as much as I needed her.
“Sir. What is your emergency?”
Blinking again, I leaned over and gently brushed her messy locks from her face. She didn’t open her eyes, but she leaned into my touch and groaned, “Safe.”
“Yes, sweetheart, you’re safe now. You’ll always be safe from now on.”
I told the woman on the line where I was and what condition my woman was in. When I hung up, I called the one woman I knew that would get what needed to be done, done. My mother, Gillian Silverman.
THE PAIN WAS GONE. WELL, mostly. I could feel it, but it wasn’t the pain I was used to, it was a dull throb. This was manageable. A warmth surrounded me like I was in a tight cocoon and floating on a cloud. I wasn’t sure if I was at a hospital because when I breathed in I didn’t smell disinfectant. The smell that surrounded me was expensive perfume. I took a deep breath in and smiled. It reminded me of the perfume my mother had worn out on special date nights with my father. I didn’t open my eyes. Nothing was going to ruin this moment.
Voices started filtering to me. There was a woman with a very sweet motherly tone but it had a stern thread through it that showed she was strong and not one to argue with. She was speaking to a man with the deepest, sexiest voice I’d ever heard.
“She’s going to need everything,” the woman said.
“Whatever she needs.” His voice sent a shiver of warmth through me.
“Oh, son, I intend to make sure she has everything. This is going to be fun.” She made a sound like she’d just clapped her hands together. “I’m going to get her everything she needs personally. From now on she will have only the best.”
There was a deep guttural grunt as a response.
Damn, even that sounded sexy.
“Son, don’t worry anymore. I have all our lawyers on the case and I’ve spoken to Evelin.” I heard what sounded like two kisses, like a mother would on each cheek. “I promise you everything will work out. No one will ever touch her again. If anyone even attempts to hurt her they’ll pay with the full force of our family’s power.”
“Never again, mum,” he snarled.
“I’ll make sure anyone who messes with our girl will pay. Never again, son. The whole family’s in agreement. She’s family now. This is good. I’ve got another daughter now. I’m so happy that you’ve found your one.”
Envy ran through me as I listened. This girl they were talking about sounded like she was cared for and was very lucky to have these two. For a moment, I daydreamed of being the girl they spoke of, but alas, I knew I wasn’t that lucky.
Opening my eyes, I groaned because not only did I see a hospital room, but I had to come back to reality. The spacious, cream-colored room had vases and boxes full of flowers, a teddy or two, and a couple of balloons that said, “Get well.” I swept the room and frowned when I realized I had no roommate.
Um, had there been a case of mistaken identity? Should I say something? Surely, I could just soak up this treatment for a little longer?
I debated if I should call the nurse or just let everything play out, but guilt won and I reached over and pressed the button.
I didn’t wait long before a nurse in pink scrubs ran in, followed closely by a woman that looked in her late forties, maybe early fifties, very classy in a white, cashmere dress, with a gold cardigan and gold heels. Her make-up was flawless and she looked beautiful. I decided right then that when I grew up I wanted to be just like her.
The delightful high bright laugh the beautiful woman let loose as she got to the bed had me sighing. “Yep, just like you when I grow up.”
“Oh, Mason. I love her. I think I have a new favorite. Do you think Bailey will mind?”
Damn, I must have said that out loud. I needed to focus, because my thoughts didn’t seem to be staying silent.
The deep raspy chuckle had my head shooting past the stunningly elegant woman to the most attractive man I’d ever seen in my life.
Damn. That giant is like a God. I bet he’s over six foot, maybe close to like seven.
His hair was a light brown that fell to his ears, but was shaved at each side.
Mmm, what I wouldn’t give to run my hands through that hair, maybe brush it over so it isn’t in his eyes. And his eyes. Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes that dark brown. I’m sure I could stare into them forever. Mmm, but then I’d miss his lips and that would just be cruel. I could totally stare at this guy forever. Maybe I could imagine exploring.
I let my gaze travel down his perfectly muscular body.
Whoever created this man must have been Godlike.
The groan from the man had me darting my gaze back up to his dark, almost all black eyes. The peals of laughter coming from the elegant woman were distracting, but I didn’t care. I was waiting for the God to talk.
The nurse giggled. “Yes, well the doctor did put Miss Jennings on some really strong pain meds. They tend to have patients talking and saying things they usually wouldn’t.” Hearing the nurse say that has me wondering if I have been talking out loud this whole time.
“As much as I’d love you to be here for me, hot stuff,” I said to the God, winking. At least I hoped it was a wink. “I have to tell you there has to have been some issue of mistaken identity. I don’t know you. I’d like, well, like is such a little word when I could say love. Yes, I’d love to get to know you better.”
I loved the sound of his deep, rich belly laugh. “Oh, sweetheart, I can tell you’re going to be trouble.”
“I could have you talk to me all night long,” I thought. Or at least I think I thought it and didn’t voice it.
“If that’s what you want I’ll do it for you, sweetheart.”
“Thanks hotstuff, but I don’t even know your name.”
Wait a minute. They didn’t answer me about the identity mix up.
“Mason. Mason Silverman.” He stepped closer to the bed.
He really was handsome. “So handsome.” Just looking at him had anything I was going to say fly out of my head.
“Miss Jennings.” The nurse snapped my attention to hers for a moment before she started taking my temp and checking my pulse. I went back to staring at God, er, Mason. “You’
re very lucky Mr. Silverman found you when he did. You had three broken ribs, a cut in your left leg that needed eight stitches, and not only did you have a concussion, but you have pneumonia.”
I didn’t feel anything but the little ache in my ribs. I nodded, not wanting to take my gaze off Mason who was smiling and, oh, dear Lord, was that a dimple hidden behind his beard?
I liked his beard, which was weird because I thought only men in situations like me who couldn’t afford housing or shaving had beards. I couldn’t remember ever seeing a beard and liking it. This Mason was like a unicorn. “My unicorn.”
“I just gave her an extra dose of pain meds,” the nurse said beside my bed. “She should drift off again soon.”
“Wait, I don’t wanna go to sleep. I want to stay awake and watch my unicorn. I wanna see him smile again. I can’t stay too long in here. I’m not going back again. I can’t do that again. My little box is better than going back. I can’t fight. I can hide. They won’t get me like they had this time. No, I have to help them. No. Must keep door shut and locked. No one can know.”
Mason’s eyebrows furrowed and little wrinkles formed on his forehead as his lips turned down. “You’re even pretty when you frown. You know, there’s probably a law that you can’t look like you do. It’s not fair. If I let men near me, I would let you.” My thoughts seemed all a jumble, but one thing I did know was I didn’t want Mason to leave. It was strange because I hadn’t trusted a man since my father, and I definitely hadn’t ever been this attracted to one. The way I’d been treated by men has put me off, but with Mason, I felt safe, and I had the uncontrollable urge to throw myself at him and jump his bones.
My lids became heavy, but I didn’t want to stop staring at Mason. Mmm, even his name was masculine and manly. His eyes were the darkest brown I’d ever seen, almost black, and as I gave into the weight of fog that clouded my mind and my lids dropped, Mason faded away.
MY EYES FLUTTERED, STRUGGLING TO open against the bright lights. At least there was less pain. I looked around the room and gasped when I saw someone new. This wasn’t my God. He looked similar to Mason, but it was hard to tell with his thick, scruffy beard and messy mop of raven black hair. He sat at the end of my bed on a computer, his whole focus on the screen.
“Who . . . who are you?” I mumbled. My heart beat faster and I wished I wasn’t hooked up to machines so I could run and hide. I didn’t know this person.
His head snapped up and his warm brown-eyed gaze caught mine. He had the same eyes as Mason. I saw then that he was safe. “You’re awake. Mason, didn’t think you’d be awake for a couple of hours so I promised I’d sit with you while he showered, changed, and checked on his gym and in with his coach.”
Blinking at the guy, I calmed my racing heart, now that I knew he was a family or friend of Mason. “You didn’t answer my question. Who are you?”
He smiled and it calmed me, not the same as Mason, but a different kind of feeling, like family, a father, or a big brother. “I’m Zeck, Mason’s brother, but don’t hold that against me.” He winked. “I’m nicer than him. Definitely more patient, too.” He shuffled the chair closer and came to sit beside me. “So, I always wanted a sister. I bet you’d be a good one.”
Opening my mouth, I went to tell him no, but then my mind just exploded, flashes of things I kept hidden behind locked doors came to the surface and right then I needed someone, anyone, to be mine, on my side. “You can’t be my brother if you’re Mason’s. I need someone just for me.”
He waved his hand like he was shooing a fly from his face. “I can be the brother just for you.” He shrugged. “Mason is closer to our other brothers, Richard and Andrew, than he is to me. So, from now on I’m yours.”
“You can’t just say that.” I fought back, shocked that he was willing to be mine, and tell me that he wasn’t as close to Mason as he was his other brothers.
“Bla. I can do what I want and I say from now on you’re my sister. No more brothers.” I giggled and he winked at me again. This time I noticed he had two dimples behind his beard. God, when was the last time I laughed? “Trust me when I say having you as a sister and no more brothers is a way better deal than I had before today.”
Warmth spread through me and I knew from that point on Zeck would be my brother. “Thank you.”
He waved his hand over his face. “Don’t mention it. You’re way cooler than my former brothers anyway, plus my mum totally loves you and I’m her favorite, too. So, I figure we stick together.”
I giggled again and closed my eyes. Safe. I loved the Silvermans.
IT HAD BEEN A WEEK since I’d found Alexa Jennings, seventeen-year-old run away from foster care, and my soulmate.
My one.
From what I heard of her ramblings the first couple of days, she would never be going back to any of those homes. I would be looking to see what I could get on them and make sure they never fostered again. I was at least ecstatic that she was attracted to me and felt safe. I loved that she told me over and over that she felt safe with me and never to leave her. I knew it was the meds that were making her talk, but I didn’t care.
My aunt Evelin had spoken to DOCS and had gotten guardianship of Alexa, thanks to her already being an approved foster care as she’d taken in Jade, Stephan’s wife, when she was underage. Alexa had five months left until she was eighteen, which meant I had five months to woo her.
I was over two years older than her, and though I did turn twenty-one a month before she turned eighteen, it was still a smaller age gap than my brother, Richard, and his wife Bailey, or my uncle and his wife. My own mother was three years younger than my father. I just hoped with Alexa’s history she wouldn’t have any issue with it.
The last two days Alexa had been more coherent as they eased her off the stronger pain meds. I was happy she still talked to me and felt safe, but since she’d started the oral medication they were discharging her. For some reason I was nervous. I stared at her hospital room door and heard my mother and Aunt Evelin talking to Alexa.
“We had a ball shopping for you. Evelin and I went a little crazy. I can’t wait for you to see your room. Evelin and Lucas have this gorgeous house on the water in Southbank. I know the Gold Coast is an hour away, but—”
“No.” Alexa cut off my mum.
“What do you mean honey?” Evelin asked in her sweetest voice.
“I mean no, I’m not going to live with you Evelin. I can’t. I just can’t.”
“Honey,” my mother intervened. “If you don’t stay with Evelin the state will put you with another foster family.”
“No. No, no, no.” Alexa cried out and I couldn’t take hearing her distress anymore. I opened the door and barged in. I watched as Alexa’s gaze landed on mine and when it did, she jumped out of bed like she wasn’t even hurt, and threw herself at me, clinging like her life depended on me. “No. No.” She shook her head franticly against my chest. “I’m not leaving you. No. No. Please don’t make me. Please. I promise I’ll be so good. Please!”
My heart broke as I stared down into the pleading eyes of my soulmate, of the woman who would be the love of my life. Right then I knew this woman already had me wrapped around her little finger because I would do anything for her. Anything. “Sweetheart, I promise you I’m not leaving. How about I move into my aunt’s house? She has plenty of rooms.”
Tears slid down her cheek and I hugged her tighter against me. Before I knew what I was doing I leaned down and kissed her tears away. She dug her nails into me and her legs practically cut my circulation off. “No.” She shook her head vehemently and for a moment I worried she didn’t want me, until she continued. “I want you in the same room.” She stared up at me with big doe-green eyes. “I love those moments when you would sneak in and get on the bed to cuddle with me. Sometimes I deliberately pretend to be asleep just so I can be in your embrace or I’d awake and be cuddled up to you and go back to sleep almost instantly. I don’t know what it is about you, but I know I’m safe
.” I almost missed it when, in the smallest whisper, she added, “I feel loved.”
Holy crap, my woman not only broke my heart with those words, but she put it together again and made it whole. No, better than whole. Full. “Sweetheart, I should say no and that it wouldn’t be appropriate, but I can’t. I love holding you in my arms and knowing you’re all mine. That with me you’ll always be safe, and I want you to know that what you feel, I feel it, too.” I kissed her forehead. “This isn’t a part of my plan. I was going to woo you. Not move into my aunt’s and cuddle you all night—”
“Please. The nightmares go away when I’m with you.”
I looked up and caught my mother and aunt Evelin with tears running down their faces and Evelin nodded her head at me. “I should be a gentleman and say no, but damn, I can’t resist you.” I sighed dramatically and the giggle she gave me filled my heart to bursting. I’d just found my new favorite sound and intended to make sure I heard it a lot more.
I FELT BETTER THAN I had in a long time. Sure, I was still bruised, had three broken ribs, a cut that was healing really well on my left leg and my pneumonia seemed almost all better, but it could’ve been all the meds I was taking that made me feel good. It’d been a week, and the hospital kept me longer than they usually did due to all my injuries and the pneumonia.
Just over an hour after they released me, we were pulling up to a mega mansion right on the water with security galore. I squeezed Mason’s hand tighter as we drove through the massive iron gates.
Mason.
He was like my angel, my dream. I didn’t know what it was about him, but he calmed me. Yes I had to grow up quick due to the past but with him . . . I knew I could just be that seventeen-year-old immature teen. That I could just be safe to do, say and act anyway I can. That I could FINALLY let my guard down and act my age.
