“Not happening, Ethan.”
Another SUV with the sheriff’s department emblem pulled into the parking lot.
“What’s going on, Sheriff?” The deputy exited the SUV, his gaze moving over the three bikers.
“You heard about the woman being beaten last night?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s inside with a friend, and so are the men who assaulted her. You and I are going in.” Ethan sent a hard look at Wrath. “These three are staying outside.” He turned toward them. “The last thing you need is to draw unwanted attention. Let us handle this. Stay out of the way, and do not draw the weapons I know you have on you. Understood?”
Wrath swore, but nodded. “Fine. But if Cara’s in danger…” He knew enough to let the rest go unsaid.
Ethan’s gaze narrowed at his tone, a flicker of understanding flashing in his eyes. “Hell, brother. When did this happen?”
Wrath glared at him, not answering.
“We’ll take care of this, then you and I will make plans to talk over a beer.”
Wrath gripped Ethan’s arm as he turned to leave. “Don’t let anything happen to her.”
“I won’t.”
Before Ethan and the deputy could get closer, the front door flew open, the three Devils emerging, running to their bikes. Jumping on them, it took little time to start the engines and thunder out of the parking lot.
“I’ll go after them, Sheriff.”
The deputy got back into his SUV, turned on his siren, and followed while Ethan called in the chase to his office and the police station. When he turned, Wrath and Rock were already heading inside. He turned to his younger brother.
“Remind me who she is?”
Wrangler crossed his arms. “Cara Mortensen. He’s been seeing her about a month.”
Ethan’s brows drew together. “That’s right, I met her briefly at the ranch. Other than Glory, who was a disaster, I can’t remember the last time he went out with a woman more than once. She must be important.”
“More than I think even he may realize. He’s got it bad for her, Ethan. You know about her being attacked last night, right?”
Ethan nodded.
“He moved her into his house.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Ethan shook his head. “Damn. He and I really do need to catch up.” He clasped Wrangler’s shoulder. “You, too. I can’t remember the last time the three McCord brothers got together to talk over a beer.” His radio halted their discussion. Walking a few feet away, he answered.
“Sorry, Sheriff. They split up and I lost them. I can confirm they’re part of the Night Devils.”
Ethan spoke with his deputy another minute before rejoining Wrangler.
“My guy lost them. He did confirm they’re part of the Devils.”
Wrangler blew out a frustrated breath. “I wish we knew what was going on. They attacked the clubhouse and we’re not sure why.”
Ethan turned on him, eyes narrowed. “Why the fuck didn’t anyone let me know? Dammit. The clubhouse is in my jurisdiction.”
Holding up his hands, Wrangler shrugged. “It was Wrath’s call, bro. You’ll need to take it up with him.” He watched as Wrath and Cara walked outside ahead of Rock and Tessa.
They sat on the floor in Wrath’s living room, his back against the sofa, her back pressed to his chest. The afternoon had turned into a series of questions, confusion from Tessa, and a good deal of anger between Ethan and Wrath.
After a heated discussion, Tessa had agreed to let Rock drive her back to the clinic. She didn’t believe herself in danger, finally bowing to Cara’s argument about doing nothing to put her unborn child in danger. Wrangler made a short call to the clubhouse to take care of Rock’s bike and picking him up after depositing Tessa safely inside her clinic.
Finally able to leave, Wrath brought Cara back to his place, leaving her truck at the office for the night.
Tightening his arms around her, he kissed her neck. The club had a run for Demons Blood the following night, a second chance to prove to Drago and his men the Brethren could be trusted. Grayson knew of it, giving the go-ahead for the delivery to take place without being intercepted.
Tonight, Wrath needed time with Cara, had to discover what caused the chasm between them. He’d repeatedly gone over their conversation of the night before, not knowing what he’d said to cause the chill. It was too soon to let her know how much he cared about her, how he wanted to take their relationship as far as possible.
Maybe he’d gotten her signals wrong and a relationship wasn’t what Cara wanted. It troubled him to think she didn’t feel the same.
He leaned down, whispering next to her ear. “Are you sure you aren’t hungry?”
She shook her head, snuggling closer to him. “My appetite is gone, but we can fix something for you.”
His stomach rumbled, giving them both an answer. Moving her a few inches away, he stood, then helped her up. “Come on. Let’s see what we can find in the kitchen.”
Pulling out ham, turkey, bread, and cheese, he chuckled when Cara started picking at the fixings. “Are you sure you don’t want one?”
Chewing a slice of turkey, her mouth slid into a grin. “Well, maybe a little one.”
They worked alongside each other, assembling two sandwiches for him and one for her. Taking them into the living room, they stretched out beside the large coffee table.
Neither spoke as he devoured his food and she picked at hers. He didn’t blame her for having a difficult time dealing with the events of the last twenty-four hours. Being threatened by the Devils would scare anyone.
“How are you doing?” He watched her eyes widen, then shutter.
“I’m fine.” The flat tone of Cara’s voice knifed through him. Something was bothering her besides what had happened.
Moving to sit beside her, he placed an arm over her shoulders. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” When she continued to stare outside, he shook her gently. “Tell me, babe. I can’t do anything about it if I don’t know what’s bothering you. And don’t say it’s about the Devils because I can sense it’s more than that.” He felt her stiffen against him.
A couple minutes passed before Cara looked at him. “I shouldn’t be staying here, messing with your life. I’m planning to go home tomorrow, or maybe to a motel.”
His terse response came quickly. “Why the hell would you do that? You’re safe here, Cara. The Devils don’t know of this house, which is the way we want it.”
Shrugging off his arm, she stood, pacing to the large glass doors, not looking at him. “You have a life, Wrath. Whenever this, well…whatever is between us ends, you’ll be returning to it.”
Joining her, he kept his arms loose at his sides. “I have absolutely no idea what you just said. Do you want to explain it to me in simple English?”
Crossing her arms, she took in a ragged breath, trying to calm the jitters inside. “I know you don’t see what we have as more than a short-term thing. I’m someone for you to spend time with until you’re ready to move on. I know you’re used to this type of temporary deal, but after the last few weeks together, I’ve discovered I’m not a temporary type of girl.” She could see his eyes narrow, mouth form a thin line, but continued.
“I don’t blame you. Lots of the men my husband hung out with wanted the same.” She snorted out a bitter chuckle. “I think Greg would’ve been much better off being single. Anyway, staying here with you isn’t going to make the end of this any easier. You might not get this, but after what I went through, I need to protect my heart, Caiden. You understand, right?”
Hands clenching and unclenching at his sides, his mood didn’t lighten at the use of his given name. The one she called out often during their heated lovemaking. Scorching was how he’d describe the way they brought each other to the greatest pleasure he’d ever experienced.
“Hell no, I don’t understand.”
Reaching out, he slid a hand to t
he back of her neck, crushing his mouth to hers. It wasn’t a gentle kiss meant to be soothing. It was hard, almost brutal in its intensity, a statement of his need and frustration at her words.
Slipping his tongue inside, he continued the assault, gentling when she slipped her hands to his shoulders and moaned. Feeling his exasperation subside, he pulled his mouth from hers to stare into glazed eyes.
“Have I ever given you the impression what’s going on between us means nothing? Have I ever treated you as someone I care nothing about?” Dropping his arms, he stepped away, letting out a ragged breath. “Do you know how many women I’ve invited to my house and into my bed?”
Body trembling, she clasped her hands together and shook her head.
“None, Cara. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted in my home. No one else. Just you.”
Running a hand through his hair, he turned away. Wrath didn’t like being out of control, not understanding the rules and expectations. After his one false step into relationship land, he’d stayed away from anything more, knowing he wasn’t a good candidate for forever.
This time, though, forever was all he could think about.
“I’m sorry, Caiden.”
He looked down to see her hand on his arm.
“I thought—”
Pressing a finger to her lips, he stopped whatever she’d meant to say. “I can’t make you any promises, Cara. What I can tell you is whatever we have between us, I’m not ready to walk away from. I don’t see a time in the future when you aren’t with me, aren’t a part of my life. You already mean a great deal to me, more than any woman in my past. Stay with me in this, Cara. Let’s see where it goes.”
Wrath stared at the ceiling, his fingers stroking down her arm and back. Cara lay sprawled across his chest, her leg pinning his to the mattress. His heart had finally slowed, allowing him to breathe at an almost normal rate. He hadn’t been able to put her insecurities out of his mind until two slow rounds of lovemaking, leaving them both spent.
Except he already felt the stirrings of need again. This constant wanting still confused him. The thought of Cara not knowing how vested he’d become stunned him.
Wrath woke up each morning reaching for her, falling asleep with her wrapped in his arms. He picked up the phone several times each day, needing to hear her voice, wanting to hear about her day. If this had happened to someone else in the Brethren, he’d have laughed it off. But Cara happened to him, making whatever they had between them a serious situation.
Feeling her stir, he shuddered as she peppered his chest with kisses, her hand moving down below the sheets. Sucking in a breath, he gripped her wrist, stalling the progression by bringing her hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to her palm.
He groaned when her mouth continued feathering kisses up his chest to his neck, then along his jaw. Flipping Cara to her back, he hovered above her, fusing his mouth to hers again, one hand caressing her breasts.
“You’re a dangerous woman,” he whispered against her lips.
“How dangerous, Caiden? You’ll have to show me.”
Letting out a low growl, he settled himself between her legs. Pressing soft kisses over the swell of her breasts, he lingered a moment to graze his tongue over her sensitive nipples before sucking one into his mouth.
Feeling her squirm against him, he smiled against her breast. “Tell me what you want, baby.”
The arching of her body left little doubt.
“You, Caiden. Please. Don’t make me wait.”
“Whatever you need, sweetheart.”
Reaching into a drawer, he tore open a package, rolled on the condom, then settled against her molten heat, sinking inside in one sudden thrust.
“More, Caiden. I need more.”
Covering her mouth with his, he moved, giving her everything he had.
Chapter Fourteen
The sound of Cara’s phone dragged Wrath out of a deep sleep before dawn. Seeing her still asleep next to him, he grabbed the phone from her pants.
“Yeah?”
“Um, is…is this…”
He heard a ragged sob and reached over to touch Cara’s shoulder, giving it a slight shake. “Hold on. I’m waking up Cara.”
Nudging her again, he leaned down to kiss her cheek. “You’ve got a call, babe.” Hearing her groan, he kissed her again. “Cara, sweetheart. This sounds important.”
Pushing up to her elbows, she pressed her mouth to his, taking the phone. “Hello.”
“Cara, is that you?” The question came out on a deep sob.
Straightening, she leaned against the headboard. “Yes. Is this Tessa?”
“It is. I’m so sorry to wake you, but…” Another sob came through the phone.
Cara glanced at Wrath, concern etched on his face. “What is it? Are you all right? Do you need help?”
“No. It’s my ex. He was in an accident.”
“Is he all right, Tessa?”
“Oh God, Cara. His car was hit by a semi. He and…” Tessa stopped again before continuing. “They were both killed.”
An hour later, they sat in Tessa’s house, Cara holding her hand while Wrath made a call to his brother. The accident had occurred in the county, Ethan’s territory. If anyone could provide more details, it would be him.
“I know we weren’t together and I’m still hurting from what they did, but I never wished this.”
Tessa had stopped crying by the time Wrath and Cara arrived. He’d met her briefly at the restaurant, impressed at how well she handled the disturbing situation with the bikers. From what Rock told him after he took Tessa back to the clinic, she appeared composed, as if her lunch with Cara had been like any other.
“Of course you didn’t want this, Tessa.” Cara glanced over her shoulder at Wrath, who slid his phone into a pocket. “Did you learn anything from Ethan?”
Wrath nodded, sitting down beside her. “How much do you want to know, Tessa?”
Sitting up, she squared her shoulders. “Everything.”
“It happened a little before midnight. Both had been drinking well beyond legal limits. The truck driver said they swerved right into his path after a deer ran across the road. He didn’t have time to react before they plowed into him. Ethan speculates they didn’t have time to process what was happening before they were gone.”
Clutching her hands in her lap, she lowered her head. “I see.”
“Do you know the next of kin for either of them?”
Tessa looked up at Wrath, her features grim. “Both their parents are dead and neither has any siblings.” Her eyes flashed before dimming. “Maybe that’s why they were so attracted to each other. Both were alone, no family, and loved to drink. When the three of us would go places, I was always the designated driver.”
Cara touched Tessa’s arm. “Is there anyone at all Ethan should notify?”
She gave a slow shake of her head. “I can’t think of anyone. My parents were the closest either had to family. He didn’t have a partner in the law practice and she wasn’t working.”
“What about you?” Cara asked.
Her brows knit in confusion. “Me?”
“Someone has to make arrangements. Since you’re pregnant with his child, and there’s no one else, you might be the only person available to make decisions.” Cara kept her voice calm, neutral, not wanting to push her friend further.
Startled at the thought, Tessa stood, taking several steps away. “No.” She ran a hand through her hair, the other resting on her stomach. “I know this may sound harsh, but I don’t want to be involved in how their bodies are handled. I know he had a will. Perhaps she did, too.”
“I’ll let Ethan know.”
Wrath walked into the kitchen, out of earshot of the women. If it were up to him, he’d want nothing to do with either of the people who’d caused the young doctor so much misery. What happened was on them. She had a thriving medical practice and a baby to think about. She didn’t need her head filled with the two people who
betrayed her.
“There’s no one, Ethan. Tessa thinks he had a will, but doesn’t know about his wife. And before you ask, no, she doesn’t want anything to do with the arrangements. I’ll let you know if she tells us anything that might help.”
He made a quick call to Rock before shoving the phone back into his pocket, remembering the run for the Blood tonight.
Maybe it would be best to have Tessa stay at his place with Cara. For different reasons, neither needed to be alone. Heading back to the living room, he stopped at the mention of his name.
“You’re lucky to have Wrath, Cara.”
“We’re still getting to know each other, but yes, I am. Even with his connection to the Brethren, I believe he’s a good man.”
When he didn’t hear more, Wrath joined them. “Ethan’s going to do what he can to take care of as much as possible. He may need to speak with you if he has questions, Tessa.”
Her relieved gaze met his. “Thanks, Wrath. I appreciate your help, and the sheriff’s.”
He sat next to Cara, his attention still on Tessa. “What are your plans for today?”
Closing her yes, she rubbed her forehead, grimacing. “It’s Thursday, so I’m sure there’s a full schedule of patients. A new doctor started on Monday and we’re scheduled to meet today.” She shrugged. “The usual.”
“All right. You need to pack enough clothes for several days. At least through Sunday. I’ve called Rock. He’s going to take you to work. Afterward, he’ll take you back to my house to stay with Cara while we handle some business.” He glanced away, missing Tessa’s jaw drop open.
Standing, she placed her hands on her hips, voice rising in indignation. “I can’t do that. I—”
“I had a member of my crew watch your office last night. The Devils came by several times.”
Her hands dropped to her sides. “The Devils?”
“The bikers who threatened you and Cara at the restaurant. You’re in danger, Tessa.”
Looking between the two of them, Cara moved next to her. “I’m sorry to get you into this, but Wrath is right. I’ll be alone at the house tonight and would love for you to keep me company. And you already know Rock. He’ll make certain nothing happens to you or your baby.”
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