by Tawny Taylor
Shaking, she wrapped her arms around herself and waited for the car to make its descent. Leaning back and letting the wall support her, she closed her eyes.
Of course, it was his face she saw. That stunning, breathtaking face. After what she’d just done, and what had happened next, a part of her wished she would never see that face again.
It was a fucking miracle he hadn’t been pulled over. He’d ignored every speed limit posted as he’d raced to the hospital. Even with going ten to fifteen miles per hour over the limit, he didn’t get there fast enough. He literally sprinted into the building, his phone pressed to his ear as he waited impatiently for Drako to tell him where to go.
No fucking answer.
He shoved his phone in his pocket and went to the information desk. The woman sitting behind it asked with a smile, “May I help you?”
“My sister-in-law is in the hospital somewhere.”
“What’s her name?” she asked, fingers poised over her computer keyboard.
“Lilly Garner.”
Her fingers tapped out the name Lei had taken after they’d moved. “Here she is. She was admitted about an hour ago. Her room is number three-fifteen.”
“Thank you.” He looked left. He looked right.
“The elevator is that way,” the woman said, indicating the left. “Just beyond the wall.”
“Thank you.” He followed her direction, taking long, swift strides. When he stepped out of the elevator on the third floor, Drako was strolling down the hallway. “Tage!” he called out.
Responding to his new name, Talen turned. Right away, he could see that something had happened. Something terrible.
The air left his lungs, and a wave of dizziness rushed through him. “Is she . . . ?” He thrust an arm out, hand braced on the wall for support.
“Resting,” Drako said. “The doctor gave her something to help her sleep.”
“She’s safe?”
“Yes. Safe, but far from okay.” Drako looked left, right, then jerked his head toward a door not far from where he stood. “We can talk in there.”
Talen followed his brother into the room. The placard on the wall outside told him it was a family waiting area. Inside the small space were a couple of couches and a television.
Drako closed the door before speaking. “She lost the child, Talen.”
“Damn.”
“She took it very badly. And she doesn’t know the worst of it yet.”
Talen couldn’t speak. He was too choked up with sadness for the woman he loved to say a word. Her pain ate at his insides, gnawing like a jaw full of sharp teeth.
“She won’t be able to have any children,” Drako told him.
Talen knew what that meant. The pain in his gut amplified.
“Malek’s in there with her. He’s in bad shape.”
“I would be, too.”
“He loves her.”
“Yeah,” Talen said, his voice breaking. “I know.”
“I don’t know if he can do it. I don’t think he can divorce her.”
Talen couldn’t let Malek divorce her. The thought of never seeing her again made him want to tear out his hair. “So, he won’t.”
“But what about—”
“Fuck it. One of us can have an extra kid,” Talen said. He had to convince his brother not to pressure Malek. It was too soon to force a divorce. “Look at what happened with our father’s generation. He was the only one to produce any children.”
“But that wasn’t by choice. Our uncles were both married to women who could bear children. They’d both been checked by doctors. It simply happened that once our father had produced three sons, our uncles stopped trying.”
“Then perhaps Malek can hold off on divorcing for a while, at least until one or both of us produce a child.”
“Son,” Drako corrected.
“Son.”
“We must produce sons,” Drako reminded him. Of course, that was unnecessary. He knew what his duty was. Lately, that was all he thought about. And now, the pressure for him to marry was even greater.
“I know.”
“And before we do that, we must be married. Me and you.”
“Yes, yes. I get it. I’m working on it.” He dropped onto the couch and shoved his fingers through his hair. “It isn’t easy, finding the right woman.”
“I know. I’ve been there. But if you don’t want our brother to divorce his wife, you need to work harder on it.”
Shit. As if he wasn’t feeling enough pressure already. He didn’t have a clue who his wife would be.
What about Michelle?
He shoved that thought aside. She was too fragile.
Then again, Lei had been fragile when Malek married her. Even though she’d struggled to get over a major tragedy, she had weathered the danger okay, and had handled their most recent move just fine.
Michelle.
Michelle?
No, she was a bad choice. A dangerous one. He would feel compelled to protect her. Like Lei. He might even put his brothers and The Secret at risk for her.
And then there was his lifestyle. Although she showed a natural submissiveness that drove him crazy, she was completely new to D/s. When he needed something more intense, he would be driven to go elsewhere for that. He had a feeling she wouldn’t handle that well, either.
Then again, both of his brothers appeared to be content with their choices. Drako’s wife, Rin, hadn’t had any experience with D/s when they married. And Lei had been a domme. She’d quickly learned to appreciate the freedom and joy in submitting to a master who was loving and protective and trustworthy.
Why couldn’t Michelle learn, as well?
Then again, both brothers had experienced their share of challenges with their wives. It had taken time for them to gain Rin and Lei’s complete trust. Not to mention, both brothers had taken some major risks because of their love for their wives.
No, it would be better to choose a woman who was more independent. Stronger. Experienced. And someone who wouldn’t expect or want his love.
His heart belonged to someone else.
Michelle wasn’t the one. Even though tonight had been intense. Already he was ready to go track her down and do it again.
Drako waved his hands in front of Talen’s nose. “Earth to Talen. Are you still with me?”
Talen lifted his head. Drako had sat down next to him. He hadn’t even realized it. “Just thinking.”
“About . . . ?”
“Life.”
Drako flopped an arm over Talen’s shoulder. “I know you care about Lei. If you want to help her, then you need to think about finding a wife of your own.”
“Dammit, I get it. Stop.” He shoved to his feet and charged out into the hall. Feeling as though the weight of the world was resting on his shoulders, he followed the signs to Lei’s room.
Three-eleven. Three-thirteen. Three-fifteen. This was it. Moving quietly, he stepped inside.
She looked so frail and vulnerable, lying in the bed, eyes closed, smooth porcelain skin pale.
“She’ll be okay,” someone said.
Talen jerked around, finding his brother Malek sitting in a chair, in a corner of the room. The shadows hanging over his features made him look tired and weak.
“She’ll be okay,” Talen repeated, stepping up to the bed. His gaze dropped to her little hand. Her fingers were long and narrow, her bones so fine. Her expression was peaceful although her skin was milky pale. “I know how much she means to you.”
“More than I could say.”
“I promise I’ll be married by the end of the month,” Talen vowed, resisting the urge to pull Lei into his arms and hold her. She didn’t need his comforting or protection. She had Malek. Malek loved her at least as much as he did, if not more.
“That doesn’t give you much time.”
Leaving Lei’s side, Talen turned to his grieving brother. “I don’t care what it takes. I’ll find a wife and I’ll get her pregnant. With a son
. Lei is yours. For the rest of your life.”
“Thank you.” A single tear slipped from his brother’s eye.
12
Talen had to choose. Between two women. Two very different women. One was world-wise, experienced in D/s, sexy, and intelligent. But also self-centered, aggressive, and manipulative. The other was innocent and inexperienced, but also patient, trusting, and giving.
Seemed like a no-brainer. And it would be, if he’d been any other man. The innocent, inexperienced but trusting woman would win hands-down.
Except his life would never be normal, and there were dangers lurking in the shadows. Not only would his wife need to understand that his first duty would be to protect The Secret. Above all else. Including her. But she would also need to realize he couldn’t afford to let his emotions get in the way of his primary obligation. She would have to understand, too, that her child would someday be called to carry a great responsibility.
Not every woman was capable of accepting the realities of his life or what the future might hold.
Angela was a better fit. She wouldn’t fall apart at the first sign of danger. The lifestyle he could offer her, the beautiful things he could buy her, would make up for any sacrifices she would have to bear. Michelle wouldn’t be so easy to buy.
Yes, it had to be Angela.
Angela.
His gut twisted. Dammit. Sitting in the family waiting room again, he dropped his head into his hands.
“What’s wrong?” Drako asked.
“How’s Lei?” he asked without looking up.
“Resting. Malek’s staying there with her. No reason for me to stick around, so I thought I’d head back and get some work done,” he explained. “You look . . . tense.”
“I am.”
“The marriage?”
Talen nodded.
“Do you remember how freaked out I was before I asked Rin to marry me?”
“It’s not the asking I’m worried about. It’s the choosing,” Talen admitted.
“Ah.” His oldest brother shouldered the wall and smiled. “Afraid you’ll make a mistake.”
“Sure. Weren’t you?”
“No.”
“Great.” The sigh he heaved was loud enough to be heard for miles.
“I knew Rin was the one. But I kept telling myself I couldn’t let myself love her. That’s where our problems came from, me being stupid and thinking that if I loved her I wouldn’t be able to do my job or protect The Secret or the family.”
“What about that situation, with our uncle? He used Rin as bait and almost got The Secret from us. Wouldn’t you say that your love for Rin made you vulnerable?”
“Maybe at first. But in the long run her love has made me better, stronger.” Drako curled his hands into fists. His gaze dropped to them as he unfurled his fingers. Tiny sparks ignited on his fingertips. “Not to mention the power I have now. I believe it’s tied to her love.”
“That I don’t get, how a woman’s love could make you suddenly capable of producing and controlling fire.”
Drako merely shrugged. “I know, but it is what it is.” He gave Talen a thorough once-over. “You know which woman is right for you. Take a risk. Love her.” Smiling, Drako shook his head. “Listen to me. I sound like a fucking woman. I never would have thought I would tell you to marry for love. But I’ve learned a lot since I married Rin. Her love might make our job easier, not more difficult. If you gain a power, too, like me and Malek, then we’ll be that much more capable of not only protecting The Secret, but our families, too.”
Talen let Drako’s words sink in for a few moments before responding.
Take a risk.
Love her.
Whom could he love? Angela? No.
Michelle. Yes. Michelle.
“Have you made a choice?” Drako asked, a smile pulling at his lips.
“Yes. I think I have.” His heart jerked. Could he marry Michelle? Yes? Maybe. Yes! “I’ll do it. I’ll marry for love.” For the first time in a while, he actually inhaled a complete breath.
Drako gave his shoulder a slap. “You won’t regret it, little brother. I promise.”
Michelle’s day had been ordinary. Dull. Uneventful. Slightly disappointing.
She hadn’t heard a word from Tage. He hadn’t called. Hadn’t texted. Hadn’t been on the elevator this morning. Hadn’t even come up to check to make sure she made it home okay. Hadn’t even come looking for his coat.
He’s blowing you off. Forget him.
By noon, she’d told herself that so many times, she had lost count. By six o’clock that evening, it had become a mantra. Forget him. Forget him. Forget him.
She repeated those words over and over as she shut down her computer. She repeated them as she grabbed her purse and headed out into the hallway. She repeated them as she waited for the elevator, rode it down, and walked to her car in the parking structure.
Forget him, forget him, forget him.
Her insides ached. But she had nobody to blame. Hadn’t he tried to tell her she was making a mistake? Hadn’t he warned her?
I can’t forget him.
She couldn’t. Not the way he’d touched her. The way he’d kissed her. The way he possessed her body when he’d made love to her. A wave of warmth rushed through her as she remembered him tying her hands.
I did this to myself.
She slumped into the driver’s seat, shoved her key into the ignition, and turned it.
Click, click, click.
Dead battery?
“Dammit.”
Annoyed, she tried it again. Click, click, click, click.
“Just great.” Muttering a few cuss words, she thrust her hand into her purse and pulled out her wallet and phone. She had a motor club membership. They would send a service truck out to jump-start it. But she would be sitting here for a while. At least a half hour. She grabbed the card from her wallet and flipped it over to read the number.
Someone knocked on her window. She looked. Hopefully it was someone with jumper cables.
It was him.
Shit. Unable to power down the windows, she opened the car door. “My car won’t start. I think the battery’s dead. I don’t suppose you have jumper cables.”
“Come with me.” He extended a hand.
“Where?”
“I’d like to go somewhere and talk.”
Talk? He had the world’s worst timing. Her car was dead. She needed to take care of that first, or she wouldn’t have a way to get to work in the morning. “I can’t. Not right now.”
He stood there, jaw clenched slightly. Was he frustrated with her? Annoyed, maybe? Good. He deserved a little discomfort after abandoning her last night, and the time before.
He reached into her car, grabbed the hood release, and gave it a pull. Then, without saying a word, he circled around to the front of the car, lifted it. A few seconds later, he said, “Try it now.”
Fully expecting nothing but clicks, she twisted the key. The engine started right up. “What?” she exclaimed.
He dropped the hood. “A battery cable was loose.”
“Battery cable?” she echoed, her mind spinning. “Thanks. That saved me a lot of trouble tonight.”
He thrust his hand at her again. “Now, would you please come with me?”
She looked at his face, then his waiting hand. Did she want to hear his explanation for last night? Maybe. Plus he’d just helped her with her car. She cut off her car and stuffed her keys, phone, and wallet back in her purse. With her purse handles looped over her right elbow, she set her left hand in his. “Okay. Oh, I have your coat.”
“Keep it.” His expression brightened as he watched her straighten up. His fingers wove between hers. “I’m parked over here.” He led her around the corner to his black car and opened her door for her.
She watched him round the front of the car. What would he tell her? As he walked, his expression was fairly intense. He looked a little . . . nervous.
He opened his
door and folded his large frame into the seat. “Thanks for giving me a chance to explain.”
“Thank you for helping me with my car.”
He flicked a glance at her, then draped an arm over the back of her seat and twisted to look over his shoulder. “It was no big deal.”
“It was a big deal to me. I’m lost without my car.”
He nodded, shifted into forward, and eased on the accelerator. The car prowled through the narrow lane, toward the exit. His arm didn’t move. It stayed right where it was, draped across the gap between their seats. Her nerves along her neck and down her back prickled. She wondered if she would ever get used to him being near her. Or would she always feel warm around him? Hot and tense and tingly. “I get that. We all become so dependent upon cars, phones, conveniences.”
“So true. Where are we going?”
“Somewhere quiet.” He flicked a glance her way. “It isn’t far.”
Slightly nervous, she smiled and nodded. Her fingers fiddled with her purse strap. After a few moments of silence, she turned to watch familiar landmarks, streets, and buildings zoom past the passenger-side window. He turned onto Route Fifteen, then into the entry of a state park.
“Okay,” he said when he’d parked the car. “We’re here. Wait here. I’ll get your door.”
“Thanks.” She glanced down at her feet. She hadn’t exactly dressed to go on a hike. She hoped he wasn’t expecting her to walk far.
He opened the door for her, and she swung her legs out of the vehicle and straightened up.
Once again, he was standing very close. Just like last night, she was trapped between his bulky, insanely sexy body and the car. Narrow waist. Wide chest. Broad shoulders. That face. Oh God, that face.
His eyes.
Her breath caught in her throat.
“Marry me,” he said.
“What?” she blurted. Surely she’d heard wrong. He hadn’t said . . . he hadn’t . . .
“Shit. I mean, damn. I mean, shoot. I did this all wrong.” He lowered himself to one knee. “Michelle, marry me,” he repeated.
What the hell? She felt herself wobbling. She grabbed the car door to steady herself. “Marry you?”
“Yes.” He took her hand in his. “Be my wife.”
