Caught by Menace
Page 27
He loves me. He came for me.
Warmed by that thought, she glanced around the room. She was in a hospital of some kind. A dull ache throbbed through her entire body, but there wasn’t any real pain. The machines beeping and swooshing all around her probably had something to do with that.
Her gaze fell to her bedside where she discovered Menace in a cramped chair. He had his long legs stretched in front of him but held her hand. Head tilted back at a terrible angle, he snored. The sound brought a smile to her face, but the sight of his right arm and hand in a heavy cast made her frown. She noticed the bruises on his face and neck.
Movement near the doorway drew her gaze. Terror stepped out of the shadows. Her heart monitor beeped wildly as she laid eyes on her tormentor.
“Relax,” he said gently. “I’m not here to finish you off.”
“Like I believe that,” she snapped back, her voice gravelly and throat sore. Now that he was fully illuminated, Naya saw the awful bruising on his face. His nose was broken and taped. One of his hands was in a brace. He leaned all his weight on his right foot because the left was in a cast. She spotted the crutches leaning against the wall.
She looked at Menace and then back at Terror. “Did he beat you up?”
“There was no other way to restore my honor and pay for what I did to you. I’m sorry by the way. For almost killing you,” he added lightly.
She pursed her lips. “Apology not accepted, Terror.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d be an easy sell.” More seriously, he said, “You’ll be happy to know I’m leaving the Valiant. I think it’s best for everyone involved if I find a new home base for my operations.”
Good fucking riddance. She gestured to her broken body. “You’ll understand if don’t make it to your going-away party.”
He smiled, the subtle curve to his mouth softening his harsh face the smallest bit. “No offense taken.”
Still irritated with him, she asked, “Did you get what you needed?”
“I did. Your actions saved the lives of countless citizens of Calyx and members of the Harcos forces. It won’t be forgotten.” He glanced at Menace. “I didn’t give him any choice when it came to you. He thought he was helping you by giving me permission to interrogate you. He believed that if he showed cooperation I would remember our friendship and not unleash hell on you.”
“I figured as much.” Naya narrowed her eyes at him. “After the way you twisted my arm, I could only imagine what you’d done to him.”
“That’s my job,” he answered simply. “Menace loves you, Naya. In my line of work, I see how very rare it is for two people to share what you have. After all you’ve been through together, you’d be a fool to let him go now.”
Her eyebrows shot up at Terror’s relationship advice. Maybe it was the meds making her hallucinate, but she actually thought it was sound advice.
“Besides,” Terror said with an evil grin, “think of the ammunition you’ll have to use against him the next time the two of you have a domestic dispute. You’ll win every fight from now until the end of time.”
Naya groaned. “Really, Terror?”
He laughed. “What? Is it too soon for the ammunition joke?”
“You are such an asshole.”
“I know.” He grabbed a small red envelope from the rolling tray near the door. Hobbling, he brought it to her. “I thought you two would want this as soon as it came through the office.”
She grasped the envelope. “What is it?”
“Open it when I’m gone and when he’s awake. I’m sure he’ll want to experience the good news with you. Oh and you should be receiving your settlement offer in the next few days.”
“Settlement offer?”
“We did almost kill you after wrongfully accusing you of terrorism,” he pointed out. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a rather large sum.” He considered her for a moment. “Maybe you could use the money to fund that little import-and-export business you had in mind.”
Naya gawked at the Shadow Force operative. “How the hell—”
“It’s my business to know everything that happens on the Valiant.” Then, with a smirk, he added, “Plus, Hallie has the biggest mouth when it comes to bragging on her friends.”
She made a mental note to thump Hallie the next time she saw her.
Limping, Terror made his way to the door and grabbed his crutches. He waved his hand in front of the frame. Pausing in front of the open door, he looked back at her. “You know, if you decide to leave Menace, we could use a woman like you on our team. Your skills are quite impressive.”
Naya glanced at Menace, who snored even louder now. Love blossomed in her chest. “I’m flattered, but no thanks. I’m staying right here.”
With a final nod, Terror left the hospital room. She ran her finger along the edge of the envelope. Out in the hall, something noisy and metal hit the floor. The ensuing clatter ripped Menace from his dead sleep. He jumped to his feet and turned his body so that he shielded her on the bed.
She smiled at the sight of him protecting her and caressed his arm. Menace jerked as her touch registered. Spinning around, he gazed down at her in surprise and wonder. “Naya?”
“Hey.” She didn’t know what else to say.
“Hey, sweetheart.” His grin quickly morphed to a tight line of concern. “Should I get a medic? Are you in pain?”
“I’m good.” She rubbed his fingers. “I’m a little groggy, but I feel okay.”
He eased onto the bed and caressed her cheek. “I’m so glad you’re finally awake. It’s been six days since I brought you here.”
Her eyes widened with shock. “Six?”
“Yes. They kept you in a medically induced coma for three days and then weaned you off the sedative and on to some accelerated healing drugs. From what I understand, it takes a lot out of your smaller bodies. Exhaustion is a side effect.”
She glanced down at the hospital gown covering her stomach. “Is it bad? The scarring, I mean.”
He didn’t lie to her. “It’s not pretty, but they tell me it will heal nicely. You’ve seen my scars. Yours will look the same in time.”
“I guess that’s not so bad.” Better than the alternative, she thought grimly.
“Naya, some of your injuries required certain repairs that might upset you.”
Gruesome images flashed through her mind. Weakly she ordered, “Just tell me.”
Menace held her hand. “They had to take one of your ovaries. Your uterine artery was damaged.”
The shock of it left her dizzy. After avoiding pregnancy for most of her adult life, the thought of never experiencing one cut deeply. “Can I—will I be able to have babies?”
“Yes,” he answered quickly. “They assured me that in time there’s no reason you can’t have children. They’ll monitor you more during pregnancy but you’ll be perfectly fine.”
Relieved, she took some slow breaths to still her racing heart. “Next time, you might want to lead off with the good news, Menace.”
“There had better not be a next time, Naya.” He brushed his fingertips along her forehead and down her jawline. “You scared the hell out of me. I thought—” He stopped himself and gulped. “I know I screwed up, Naya. I know you probably hate me and you’ll never trust me again, but I still love you. I’ll always love you. Even though I don’t deserve you.”
“Hush,” she whispered. Emotions warred within her. She traced the hard lines of his face and gazed into his light-green eyes. “You’re a big, stupid sky warrior and, yes, you broke my heart and my trust. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy to start over but, Menace, you’re the only man in the universe who can help me piece it all back together.”
Menace exhaled roughly, the sound very near a sob. Eyes glistening, he blinked rapidly and pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right.”
Eyes closed, she savored his heat and scent. “You could start by telling me you love me
and giving me a kiss.”
Pulling back, he peered down at her with such adoration. He claimed her lips in a tender kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She remembered the envelope and found it next to her hip. She lifted it up for Menace to see. “Terror brought this.”
His gaze turned murderous. “That bastard was here?”
“I guess beating the crap out of one another wasn’t enough to settle up?”
“Not even close,” Menace growled. “Why? Have you forgiven him?”
“No, but I’m not going to waste energy being angry at him.” She rubbed her thumb across his mouth. “You shouldn’t either.”
He didn’t say anything. Tapping the envelope, he said, “You better open it.”
Her gaze fell to his cast. “How long are you in that thing?”
“Three weeks if the bone-knitting injections work.”
Amazed by the kind of medicine and technology the Harcos possessed, Naya opened the red envelope. Official-looking papers were tucked inside. She pulled them out and showed them to Menace. His expression instantly brightened. “They rescinded our forced divorce and reinstated our bond.”
“That was fast.”
Menace’s happiness deflated. “You don’t have to sign the contract again. I don’t expect… Not after…”
She rolled her eyes. “What happened to the rough, possessive sky warrior who chased me down in the forest and tossed me over his shoulder? Aren’t you supposed to just tell me that I’m signing the contract again?”
“I’m sorely tempted to give it a try.” Chuckling, Menace reached into his pocket and retrieved the blue collar he’d chosen for her. Somber and with such emotion lacing his voice, he said, “I don’t expect you to start wearing it anytime soon but when you’re ready, you let me know.”
“Well, isn’t this quite a change? You’re actually asking me what I want this go-round?” She laughed softly. “The last time you had a bonding contract in hand, you had me gagged and cuffed and already wearing your collar.”
He flashed her that sexy grin she loved so much. “Sweetheart, you’ll be out of here in no time. Believe me. That can be easily arranged.”
The promise of good times to come made her smile. She grasped the front of his shirt and dragged him down for another kiss. Smiling, she ghosted her mouth across his. “Baby, I’m counting on it.”
The End
About Lolita Lopez
While browsing bookstore shelves as a teenager, Lo discovered the erotic writings of Anaïs Nin and Anne Roquelaure. Certain her mother would not approve, Lo smuggled the books home and squirreled them away in the most likely of places—under her bed. Late at night, she delved into the sensual worlds both writers created.
As a co-ed studying biochemistry and genetics at Texas A&M University, Lo dabbled in creating naughty tales to entertain her friends. Study for a midterm or pen a deliciously dirty story to delight her small band of fans? Not surprisingly, Lo is now on an extended sabbatical from college.
Luckily, Lo stumbled onto the world of erotic romance publishers. She realized there were other readers and writers who loved and craved breathtaking romance with the spiciest of love scenes. She took a chance and submitted her first novella. The rest is history.
Lo lives in Texas with her family and beloved Great Dane, Bosley.
Lo welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Lolita Lopez
Bad, Bad Things
English Vice
Grabbed by Vicious
Illicit Bargain
Nocturnal Obsession
Pressing the Flesh
Swap Meet
The Big V
Turn-Down Service
Ultimate Prize
Print books by Lolita Lopez
Tantalizing Treats anthology
Torrid Topaz anthology
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
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Caught by Menace
ISBN 9781419944383
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Caught by Menace Copyright © 2013 Lolita Lopez
Edited by Julie Naughton and Jillian Bell
Cover design by Michelle
Cover photography by MarishaSha, Kutlayev Dmitry/Shutterstock.com
Electronic book publication June 2013
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Table of Contents
Blurb
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
About Lolita Lopez
Table of Contents
Blurb
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
About Lolita Lopez